Press Release: Wild Wolf Pup Dragging Leghold Trap in Gila

RESERVE, NM — An endangered wild wolf pup in the Gila National Forest has more than the usual number of threats to his survival right now. A leghold trap being used on public lands became detached from the trap anchor and the lobo is on the loose with their foot in the trap. Another male pup was also caught and is in captivity at a medical facility awaiting release into the wild.

“It’s business as usual here in New Mexico with endangered species being caught in leghold traps,” said Chris Smith, southern Rockies wildlife advocate for WildEarth Guardians. “But, the New Mexico Game Commission is standing by our state’s archaic trapping laws even while a wolf pup is running around with a trap on their leg.”

A total of 39 Mexican wolves have been caught, injured, maimed, or killed by traps since the recovery program began in 1998. Recreational and commercial trapping is legal on nearly all public lands in New Mexico. Endangered Mexican wolves and domestic dogs are frequently caught and sometimes maimed or even killed. The New Mexico Game Commission is currently considering very minor changes to the trapping rule that wildlife advocates say are inadequate. Legislation to ban private trapping on public lands passed two House legislative committees in New Mexico this year.

“The scenario of a wild wolf pulling the trap from its mooring to escape with the trap still attached to their paw has played out before”, said Mary Katherine Ray, Wildlife Chair for the Rio Grande Chapter of the Sierra Club. “With blood circulation cut off especially now as a cold winter storm rolls in, it almost always results in amputation if not something worse. The senseless suffering this animal is now enduring by legally allowing trapping is indecent.”

“The captive lobo needs to be returned to his family as soon as possible,” said Maggie Howell, executive director of the Wolf Conservation Center. “Wolves are highly social animals, much like humans, with the capacity to love, worry, and grieve. To have a family member disappear like this, a pup of the year no less, must have the family very worried.  It is especially sad to think of him alone in a cage in during the same week when we’re all gathering with our families.”