No. 300, May 2, 2002


RESTORING THE MEXICAN GRAY WOLF

  • AGENCIES FAIL TO ACT ON BEHALF OF WOLVES
  • TWO NEW PACKS IN GILA WILDERNESS
  • AGGRESSIVE REMOVAL OF WOLVES FROM WILD
  • ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL SUPPORTS DIRECT RELEASE OF WOLVES INTO THE GILA NATIONAL FOREST
  • FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE FAILS TO IMPLEMENT SCIENTISTS? RECOMMENDATIONS
  • CENTER OFFERS REWARD IN WOLF KILLINGS
  • WHAT YOU CAN DO

AGENCIES FAIL TO ACT ON BEHALF OF WOLVES

The Center notified the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management on 4-17-02 that they are in violation of the Endangered Species Act for failing to take measures that ensure livestock carcasses are removed from public lands, thus habituating wolves to livestock scavenging and possible predation, and leading to their removal from the wild.

Four out of five packs or family groups, and numerous individuals have been captured and removed for this reason, often causing injury and sometimes even death, as in the case of three pups from the first litter born in the wild. The suit will prompt the agencies to develop regulations and criteria that require swift removal of carcasses, thus bringing them into compliance with the Endangered Species Act.

For more information click here.


TWO NEW PACKS IN GILA WILDERNESS

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service placed two breeding pairs of Mexican gray wolves in temporary mesh pens, (to accustom them to the area and dampen their urge to flee upon release) in the Gila Wilderness during the first week of April. The newly designated Luna Pack chewed out immediately, and self-released to the wild. The male has stayed near the pen site, and the female has been exploring several miles away. The other pair, Gapiwi Pack, are still in their pen. All four wolves lived in the wild before (a precondition to their release into New Mexico). Both females are pregnant and are due to give birth at this time.


AGGRESSIVE REMOVAL OF WOLVES FROM WILD

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on 3-18-02 trapped and removed a male wolf from the former Wildcat Pack for the fourth and last time, because he had established a territory that only partly consisted of national forest lands, but also included Bureau of Land Management public land, state, and private lands that are off-limits to wolves. The last wolf from the Lupine Pack, also in New Mexico, is being trapped now because he has repeatedly scavenged on unremoved livestock carcasses, and had also wandered out of the recovery area. Neither wolf has attacked any cattle.


ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL SUPPORTS DIRECT RELEASE OF WOLVES INTO THE GILA NATIONAL FOREST

In a editorial on 3-30-02, the Albuquerque Journal reaffirmed its support for direct releases of wolves into New Mexico, and for allowing them to wander outside the arbitrary recovery area boundaries without being recaptured.

They noted: “The four-year-old Mexican gray wolf recovery program has had more than its share of setbacks. The two lobos caught eating dead cattle in Catron County, and the imminent plan to trap them is only the most recent one. That these two – a male and possibly pregnant female – are the only known lobos in the state is at least a symbolic blow to the program.”



FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE FAILS TO IMPLEMENT SCIENTISTS’ RECOMMENDATIONS

Last June four eminent carnivore biologists led by world renowned wolf expert Paul C. Paquet, Ph.D. of the University of Calgary analyzed the Mexican wolf recovery program and made three urgent recommendations:
1) Allow for direct release of wolves from the captive population into the Gila National Forest;
2) End the requirement that wolf packs who establish territories outside the recovery area be recaptured;
3) Address the problem of cattle carcasses habituating wolves to livestock.

However, the Service has failed to implement any of these changes, and the wolf population is declining, primarily due to government removals and illegal killings. There are currently only 20 known wolves in the wild, although the 1996 environmental impact statement authorizing the reintroduction program predicted 35 animals at the end of 2001.


CENTER OFFERS REWARD IN WOLF KILLINGS

The Center for Biological Diversity is still offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the apprehension and conviction of those responsible for any of the Mexican gray wolf killings. In addition, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is offering $10,000 for such information.

Nine wolves have been shot, and seven of these cases are still unsolved. Three wolves have been killed by vehicles in hit and run accidents, and 16 wolves are still missing. Rewards by the Service, the Center and other non-profit groups led to the conviction and sentencing of a man who shot one of the wolves in 1998.

For additional information, see the Center’s Mexican gray wolf page.


WHAT YOU CAN DO

Please write Interior Secretary Norton and request an expeditious change in the rules to reflect the scientists’ three recommendations; send a copy to your member of Congress and Senator.
Addresses:
Interior Secretary Norton, 1849 C St., Washington D.C. 20240.
House of Representatives, Washington D.C. 20515.
U.S. Senate, Washington D.C. 20510


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