John Cornyn Introduces Endangered Species Act Settlement Reform Act
by Cole Shooter Yesterday
Texas U.S. Senator John Cornyn has introduced legislation to prevent abuse of Endangered Species Act litigation.
Cornyn introduced the Endangered Species Act Settlement Reform Act, which will give impacted local parties a say in the settlement of litigation between special interest groups and the Fish and Wildlife Service.
“ESA litigation abuse has shut out those folks most affected by the kind of closed-door settlements we’ve seen,” said Cornyn. “My bill opens up the process to give job creators and local officials a say.”
Cornyn says that the bill adds protection for American citizens from the regulatory impact of closed-door litigation settlements between special interest groups and the Fish and Wildlife Service.
In 2011, two environmental groups settled multi-district litigation with the FWS that resulted in a “work plan” for the agency to make endangered species list determinations for hundreds of species, and the settlement also required taxpayers to pay the plaintiffs’ litigation fees.
The suits were brought against the FWS because it failed to meet certain statutory deadlines after being flooded with requests to list hundreds of species.
Cornyn’s office says that Closed-Door ESA settlements not only threaten unwarranted regulation, but give plaintiffs undue leverage over local land owners, businesses, and elected officials in the conservation process
Wolf Politics
John Cornyn Introduces Endangered Species Act Settlement Reform Act
FWS send select counties and tribes new wolf plan. Denying legal access to public.
We have recently learned that the science sub group, of the disbanded 2011 Mexican Wolf Recovery Team has launched Potential expansion of the Mexican wolf recovery program which is being drafted and evaluated by the science group for the Mexican Wolf Recovery Team that no longer is in place. They have not revealed their proposal to the rest of the recovery team or the public. However, one or two select counties and tribes have now received draft EA’s and supposedly, Draft full blown plans for Mexican wolf expansion into other areas of AZ NM Texas and Mexico. It is a major concern of agriculture industries in these areas that the most recent Mexican wolf managers are operating the program in almost total secrecy in order to ensure public input is not included in the process. If you would like information on this plan please email admin@wolfcrossing.org
(Comments are solicited from those few local governments entities that received it, are due Feb 1, 2013.)
It appears that there was no scoping process and no federal register notice.
No Public Input Whatsoever has been solicited. We are not sure this process is legal and will sure find out if there is something to be done about it.
Ag and hunting groups Intervene in anti trapping lawsuit aimed at faking protection of Mexican wolves..
News Release For Immediate Release / June 18, 2012
For further information, contact:
Caren Cowan, New Mexico Cattle Growers Association, 505.247.0584
Industry Groups Intervene in Trapping Lawsuit
To protect the businesses and livelihoods of their memberships, groups representing hunters, fisherman, agriculture, trappers, and rural communities and economies have intervened in a lawsuit filed by the WildEarth Guardians against the New Mexico Department of Game & Fish.
The New Mexico Trappers Association, New Mexico Cattle Growers Association, New Mexico Wool Growers, Inc., New Mexico Federal Lands Council, New Mexico Council of Outfitters & Guides, New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau, Coalition of Arizona/New Mexico Counties for Stable Economic Growth and United Sportsmen for Fish & Wildlife, Inc., joined the lawsuit which would prohibit trapping in the southwestern New Mexico, in the Mexican Grey Wolf Recovery Area. The New Mexico Houndsmen as well as the Northern and the Southern New Mexico Chapters of the Safari Club assisted with funding. The Safari Club International also filed an Amicus Brief in support of the state.
“The big difference between our memberships and the WildEarth Guardians is that our members have everything to lose in this situation, and environmentalists have nothing at stake. If residents of southwestern New Mexico lose the ability to trap, they lose their ability to make a living ranching, hunting, trapping or outfitting – not to mention generations of tradition,” said New Mexico Cattle Growers Association President Rex Wilson, Carrizozo. “No environmentalists’ family businesses or lifelong investments are at risk in this situation.”
The WildEarth Guardians’ lawsuit claims that by allowing trapping of viable furbearer populations in the wolf recovery area, the NMDGF is allowing harm to the non-essential, experimental Mexican Grey Wolf, despite the fact that trapping the species is not allowed, Wilson explained. The federal reintroduction program for the Mexican Grey Wolf began in 1994.
“To date, millions of our tax dollars have been spent to reintroduce this predator, which is still struggling in the wild almost 20 years later,” said David Reese, United Sportsmen for Fish & Wildlife President, Belen. “The WildEarth Guardians are trying to use trapping as an excuse for the failure of the reintroduction program, which has been a monumental waste of time and resources since the beginning.”
Rural southwestern New Mexico’s economy is based on ranching, hunting, guiding and outfitting, all of which would be threatened if the lawsuit was successful. “Ranchers must have the ability to protect their livestock to stay in business,” said Bebo Lee, New Mexico Federal Lands Council President, Alamogordo. “Dealing with wolves on their operations has been hard enough on these ranchers – it’s too much to ask that they sacrifice even more of their herds to other predators.”
Hunting and trapping have a long history in New Mexico, as a family tradition, as a tool for wildlife management and in many cases, a successful livelihood. Despite the impacts of the wolf reintroduction program to the deer and elk herds in the Gila National Forest, guiding and outfitting is a big business, with a big impact on rural counties.
“The survival of our members’ businesses, and their ability to feed their families, depend on healthy wildlife populations, and that means balanced management which includes predator control,” said Marc Kincaid, New Mexico Wool Growers, Inc. President, Hope. “Aside from the potential financial impacts to our members and the small-town businesses they help support, it’s just irresponsible to put wildlife management in the hands of environmentalists and animal rights groups in Santa Fe whose only concerns are filing lawsuits and limiting land use.”
“This lawsuit has the potential to alter science based game management everywhere. The suit is designed to take game management out of the hands of states and move it to the courts. WildEarth now chastises the New Mexico Game Department for using sportsmen’s dollars, not tax dollars, to defend New Mexicans and New Mexico’s wildlife against a frivolous lawsuit. In court documents they seek to deny participation of an international conservation group, the Safari Club International in the litigation process. It seems to be alright for the “guardians” to squander millions of sportsmen’s and taxpayer dollars to advance their spiritual beliefs through court actions but, the very people that have paid the bills for wildlife recovery and management over the last century, can’t play in their “sand box”; how ludicrous is that?” asked Tom McDowell President NMTA, Corrales. “Western states are dealing with the devastating impacts of forests being managed by the courts and anti-consumptive use groups. New Mexico and Arizona saw the largest fires in history in 2011 and we just set two more records in the past few weeks. If WildEarth were to prevail with its current action, New Mexicans can say goodbye to their wildlife too.”
Caren Cowan
Executive Director
New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association
POB 7517
Albuquerque NM 87194
505.247.0584 phone
505.842.1766 fax
nmcga@nmagriculture.org
You can join NMCGA online at www.nmagriculture.org.
Idaho Trapper The Target of Death Threats
Media Ignores The Problem Concentrates on Wolf Death and Demonizes Trapper
Admin
There is now an actual solicitation of a death threats against the young man in the now notorious trapper photograph by a person called Dr. Steve, the threat is accompanied by a monetary reward for proof of harm to this innocent man.
It is just unbelievable that the media are concentrating on how awful the photograph is but have said not one word about the threats against this man and the harassment he is suffering at the hands of extremist animal activists.
Nor have the activist media, including Mard Bekoff Ph.D in animal emotions, and author of the above article, said even half this much about the hundreds of maimed and murdered dogs, cats, horses and cattle and wildlife that have suffered much much more than wild wolves are suffering through legal and legitimate trapping and hunting efforts. Nothing! Zero, zip, nada. Although it is somewhat ironic that a PhD. in animal emotions wrote a pandering blog post for wolf advocates in Psychology Today’s blog, not one word did he utter about the human psychology of wolf advocates who seem to be supercharged with energy whenever cattle or pets are slaughtered by wolf packs. The only psychology he was interested in was the trapper’s, which isn’t even in his realm of expertise. Nor did he himself seem to care about the animals that are suffering due to wolf presence and depredation.
I know we have complained about biased media in the past but this is definitely over the top. The following is a link to the death threat. If that link doesn’t work and has been removed. Please see the screen shot of it on this FB link.
Where is the FBI where is the USFS Law Enforcement? Where are the Facebook moderators when this awful behavior is going on? Why is the media only focusing on one aspect of this event and refusing to analyze both sides of the issue. Particularly when there has been absolutely no crime committed by this man. (We refuse to identify him here although his name address and work information have been made public by radical and perhaps dangerous individuals. If you doubt that these people are dangerous, please see the following screen shots depicting the opinions about the man in this photograph alone, there are several pages of them and we have not posted all of them yet.)
Proximity is the problem. Mexican wolf encounters with children impacted on the rise.
In December the program issued it’s first lethal control order after a female wolf with a long track record of livestock depredations and human habitation was found circling a private home at regular intervals where small children were exposed to her close presence. The same wolf had birthed a litter of hybrid pups the prior spring and FWS are still on the lookout for the one Mexican wolf hybrid that got away. They haven’t found it presumably it will add to the genetic mix that is the rare Mexican wolf. The remarkable thing about this control action is the fact that despite dozens of human safety encounters since the beginning of the program many of which involved their attraction to children, this was the first time the agency admitted lethal control was warranted for human safety reasons.
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- Middle Fork wolves slip into ranch HQ and are captured by game camera.
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- One very big Mexican wolf or Mexican wolf hybrid.
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- Head down stalk mode.
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- Checking out the craying babies.
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- Slipping around the buildings
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- Looking for a handout
The encounters with wolves did not end after AF 1105 was removed from the picture. Despite the claims from radical environmental organizations that the wolf was merely lonely and only needed to find a male. They also claimed that there weren’t enough male wolves in the wild for her to mate with, The next three encounters at homes and highways were with male wolves looking for a mate in the same region as AF 1105.
The photo’s in the attached gallery show these animals are clearly in the vicinity of people and they are also in the area where pairing with AF 1105 was possible and feasible. Instead, they appear more interested in easy prey or a handout at a home than pairing with a female that was making herself readily available for another breeding with a ranch dog. It makes a reasonable person wonder what these big males are breeding with since they showed little interest in AF 1105 possibly coyotes it is possible as the canine DNA is nearly identical subject to family markers.
The photo’s on the highway of the large male wolf occurred when the same young mother in the AF 1105 home invasion incident stopped alongside the road to allow her 4 year old some fresh air after she was carsick. The 2 year old child still strapped in the car seat became impatient and began crying and this animal stepped out of the woods and approached the woman and her children. She was able to put the sick child back in the car and get herself in the car with about 20 feet between herself and this enormous animal. But the fact is, this wolf was intent on stalking her, and her children were calling it into the scene with their normal if distressed behavior.
These are her words. Words that will be torn apart by extremist activists who do not live among and often have never even seen these animals outside of a zoo.
Crystal’s Wolf Encounter
Saturday January 28, 2012
I was traveling east on Hwy 59 with my 2 young daughters in the car when my oldest, who frequently gets carsick, demanded a quick roadside stop. I pulled over just east of Poverty Creek and removed her from the vehicle. We walked around for several minutes so Cayden could get some fresh air after being sick on the shoulder of the road. The drivers door and back door were wide open. My 2 year old daughter, Reece, remained in the car crying hysterically to be removed from her car seat. After about a 5-6 minute stop, I loaded Cayden back in the car. I then walked around the back of the vehicle & towards my door when I saw a wolf standing in the middle of the road within 20 feet of my open car door. I ran to jump in my car & shut the door. The wolf, who had been standing still then walked up to the drivers side of my vehicle and stood a moment. Reece was still crying loudly. Using the camera feature on my phone I was able to capture several photos of the fearless behavior of this uncollared wolf. He’d pace in front of my vehicle from one side to the other, again and again. After watching each other for about 6-7 long minutes, the wolf seemed to tire of us and began to trot off to the south. As soon as I’d put the car in gear & move forward a few feet- it would quickly stop & curiously trot back to the car (the 2nd time he walked off, noticed movement, then returns to the road was captured on video recording). The standoff had now lasted roughly 12-15 minutes. Needing to get on my way, I slowly drove off. Leaving him sitting on the roadside shoulder, exactly where my 3 year old daughter had been sick just minutes before. This is the 2nd time in just over one month that a wolf has come within feet of my children.Crystal Runyan Diamond
Beaverhead Ranch
Crystal Diamond has suffered an unbelievable amount of slander in the local news media simply because she is in proximity of the expanding Mexican wolf population. The activists who have repeatedly attempted to destroy her credibility and reputation have deliberately avoided the factual reports on the situation that are available to them. Instead they choose to blame and attack a mom over the death of a problem habituated aggressive wolf.
The message is that this wolf was special, this wolf was presumably more special than Crystal’s small children and their safety and their freedom to exercise their rights on their own land at at their own home.
This wolf is not special. Genetically this wolf was redundant to the population of Mexican wolves, which include over 400 in captivity. Only genetically redundant wolves are legally allowed to be used in the releases on federal lands in AZ and NM dozens exactly like her exist in captivity ready to enhance the breeding pool.
It is disturbing that we are now seeing a trend from government agency personnel working within the program to promote the extremist notion that wolves on the ground are genetically special and cannot be removed or controlled. This is contrary to all scientific and policy documents and is merely evidence that not only are there close ties to the most extreme environmental advocates for wolves in the southwest. But Fish and Wildlife Service also appear to be coordinating media and strategy with those same organizations.
The behavior of the wolf population the Federal agencies in charge of it, as well as the radical wolf advocates is such that local governments in counties that contain wolves are examining their options to protect human safety in events such as those that occurred at Beaverhead and along Highway 59 and other nearby rural homes and communities. Human health and safety is something that the agencies themselves are supposed to uphold over any policy that they have concerning wolf increase but with the large number of incidents involving children in the area the counties feel they must be ready to step in and do the job the federal government is somewhat lackadaisical about doing. We don’t know what will happen if Catron county kills a wolf in a constituents yard but the majority of the small population in the county are supportive, desperately so, of the idea. It is also important to note that Crystal Diamond is certainly not the only mother in tri-county Grant, Sierra, Catron area that has had serious encounters with wolves and is forced to deal with them on a regular basis. In 2007 Mary Miller and her husband Mark were forced to witness their 8 year old running from a wolf attack on a family dog attack that occurred immediately adjacent to the child. In 2005 Carlie Gatlin was forced to walk home from a wreaked vehicle with two small children and a concussion and was followed by Luna pack their tracks overlapped hers in the snow. Her son was bleeding from a head injury her daughter was small enough to be carried. These are far from all the incidents recorded. Deliberate habituation of Mexican wolves by agency managers has ruined many of the wolves for wild behavior, making them extremely dangerous.
Megan Richardson who lives with the habituated livestock killing middle fork pack coming into her home at regular intervals has to wonder if the sounds her small baby son makes, draws them even closer. The wolves can seen in the Game camera photo’s coming into her driveway, she puts it bluntly. “Is it going to take someone getting seriously hurt before something is done?”
4 out of 5 Mexican wolves released in Sonora Mexico are Dead.
I translated this with Google translate so it isn’t the best version. Original link.
Mourning national conservation
Bastien Hole Marielena | Opinion
18.01.2012 | Creation Time: 1:57:07 | Last Modified: 1:58:16
I write these lines still dry mouth, sensitive and irreversible after the events to which I refer Wednesday and that first I could not believe. Hence, retain the information so far. And I find it inexplicable that raised far from the huge scandal that correspond to one of the most serious environmental crimes that have suffered recently, the facts have been hidden, as is the case of the killing, by running over one and poisoning other 3 copies of the 5 family of Mexican wolves (Canis lupus baileyi) that were recently released into Sonora territory. Of course that is already a criminal complaint filed with the Specialized Unit for Investigation of Crimes against the Environment and planned Special Laws of the Attorney General’s Office (PGR), and that the preliminary investigation is including timely follow-up, however, is to draw attention, once again, that the event is being handled at such a low profile, and both from the environmental authorities (Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources-National Commission of Natural Protected Areas, Wildlife Department) as Naturalia, A. C., the civic organization that promoted, and that gives me the impression that while once and it had to be, also precipitated the reintroduction of the specimens to the wild, in an effort to cap a great first effort returning them to their habitat , even a small part of the wider region that historically belonged to, being as they are, a species extinct in the wild, as only small groups are in captivity, both in the United States and here in our country, not being in total over 400 individuals with the stakes are the survival of the smallest subspecies of gray wolf that tried to eradicate the middle of last century, everything, because the wolf has always been the villain of the story.
I worry that in the little information I could RECAVA unofficially, no man assures me it has been carried out the rescue of the alpha female, now alone at the mercy of the infamous who killed his family because they keep it that way, with everything and be monitored by carrying a telemetry collar would be sentenced to certain death because what happened happened and how it happened, and because being wolf needs a group … is said to bring a male think, but …
Should be strengthened first formal commitment to serious and ranchers in the area to fully convince them of the benefits from the presence of wolves on their land, because by then I was told that 4 ranch owners with which they spoke to locate within his farm at 5 great-an adult couple and three young children, said only one contributor to open this historic release. Hence observe rainfall … who or what or whom and for what … are outstanding responses to prevent further devastating sacrifices of these poor animals originally bred parents carefully selected to avoid inbreeding … possible care later in their development with extensive care and love to get a couple conform to soon give puppies … and once all integrated, with a view to removing them from re-education of humans and to teach them to hunt and survive in the wild, an issue that took more than two decades, said to be easy, but that effort was completed in less than sings a rooster, since Oct. 11 when the animals got loose, and by December had ended. In addition, I have to tell you that while he prepared for this family, in a property located in Nuevo Leon and prepared expressly for the purpose, was to locate the place, seeking to have enough length, adequate vegetation and especially appropriate prey and was far from any human community and their livestock herds to avoid conflict, which was of no avail because even prevented the possibility of that attack on the animals, say some bad experiences across the border, apparently never felt so likely to happen in Mexico. Pride ¿? A saber.
I say that the prosecutor is in charge of the case by the PGR has many years of experience, but more than that commitment to the field. I know of José Ricardo Rodriguez Soria, but I hope his background sooner quickly find the true ecocidal, which no mercy will surely be imposed the maximum penalty provided by law for such a dramatic event, as well as a high financial penalty, punishment can include up to 9 years in prison. Otherwise, I am aware that for his part, Dr. Hernando Guerrero, head of the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection, is very attentive to the issue, closing clip, but still, we also hope that accurate information is released and that for the next release will not save so much reserve, but rather the opposite, so that animals are protected by society, which ultimately are the ones through tax fund any program officer, and therefore MUST NOT HIDE WE MINIMIZE ANY DATA OR LESS IMPORTANT AS A RELEASE even had to be announced with fanfare by President Felipe Calderon himself. Yes … at that level. Or less, punctuated by the Secretary Juan Rafael Elvira. This magnitude deserved the reintroduction of wolves, which in itself would have been basic to protect them.
In another case … how ignorant of the singer Emmanuel!, Supposedly very interested in the ecological and acomedido to nag about it. Someone could inform me what Holbox town belongs, and that the whale shark is a fish, the largest planet by the way, and not a marine mammal as recently noted in an interview with Joaquin Lopez Doriga my dear, who for also gave a color with the atrocities of that, and …
Term referring to another goal for zoos capital, with the arrival of a pair of giant pandas, on Monday, France, where they remain for 10 years. And us stateless? Pepe Fed Bernal trip to China and our pundits spending his last years in singleness.
As always, I say goodbye leaving my email available to what is offered: producciones_serengueti@yahoo.com
AZ Game and Fish Mexican wolf update.
November 4, 2011
MEXICAN WOLF REINTRODUCTION PROJECT NEWS
Monthly Status Report: October 1-31, 2011
The following is a summary of Mexican Wolf Reintroduction Project (Project) activities in Arizona on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests (ASNF) and Fort Apache Indian Reservation (FAIR) and in New Mexico on the Apache National Forest (ANF) and Gila National Forest (GNF). Non-tribal lands involved in this Project are collectively known as the Blue Range Wolf Recovery Area (BRWRA). Additional Project information can be obtained by calling (928) 339-4329 or toll free at (888) 459-9653, or by visiting the Arizona Game and Fish Department website at http://www.azgfd.gov/wolf or by visiting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website at http://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/mexicanwolf. Past updates may be viewed on either website, or interested parties may sign up to receive this update electronically by visiting http://www.azgfd.gov/signup. This update is a public document and information in it can be used for any purpose. The Reintroduction Project is a multi-agency cooperative effort among the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AGFD), New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF), USDA Forest Service (USFS), USDA-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services (USDA-APHIS WS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the White Mountain Apache Tribe (WMAT). Other entities, including private individuals and nongovernmental organizations, cooperate through the Project’s Adaptive Management Work Group (AMWG) that meets periodically in Arizona and New Mexico.
To view weekly wolf telemetry flight location information or the 3-month wolf distribution map, please visit http://www.azgfd.gov/wolf. On the home page, go to the “Wolf Location Information” heading on the right side of the page near the top and scroll to the specific location information you seek.
Please report any wolf sightings or suspected livestock depredations to: (928) 339-4329 or toll free at (888) 459-9653. To report incidents of take or harassment of wolves, please call the AGFD 24-hour dispatch (Operation Game Thief) at (800) 352-0700.
Numbering System: Mexican wolves are given an identification number recorded in an official studbook that tracks their history. Capital letters (M = Male, F = Female) preceding the number indicate adult animals 24 months or older. Lower case letters (m = male, f = female) indicate wolves younger than 24 months or pups. The capital letter “A” preceding the letter and number indicate alpha wolves.
Definitions: A “wolf pack” is defined as two or more wolves that maintain an established territory. In the event that one of the two alpha (dominant) wolves dies, the remaining alpha wolf, regardless of pack size, retains the pack status. The packs referenced in this update contain at least one wolf with a radio telemetry collar attached to it. The Interagency Field Team (IFT) recognizes that wolves without radio telemetry collars may also form packs. If the IFT confirms that wolves are associating with each other and are resident within the same home range, they will be referenced as a pack.
CURRENT POPULATION STATUS
At the end of October 2011, the collared population consisted of 37 wolves with functional radio collars dispersed among eleven packs and four single wolves. Some other uncollared wolves are known to be associating with radio-collared wolves, and others are separate from known packs.
Seasonal note: In October, the IFT continued fall trapping efforts to document pack status and pup recruitment in several packs in the BRWRA. The IFT captured three new pups-of-the-year, two new yearlings and one new adult wolf this month, including fp1250 and fp1251 from the Dark Canyon Pack, m1252 and mp1249 from the San Mateo Pack, m1248 from the Hawks Nest Pack, and M1253 on the FAIR. IFT personnel also recaptured fp1247 from the Hawks Nest Pack and AF1056 from the Paradise Pack in October. The IFT will continue efforts to trap and collar wolves from the Willow Springs Pack in November.
IN ARIZONA:
Bluestem Pack (collared AM806, AF1042, mp1240 and mp1242)
Throughout October, the IFT located these wolves in their traditional territory in the central portion of the ASNF.
Hawks Nest Pack (collared M1038, m1248, f1208, mp1244 and fp1247)
In October, these wolves continued to use their traditional territory in the north-central portion of the ASNF. IFT personnel trapped and collared a yearling wolf, m1248, which was associated with this pack this month. Toward the end of the month, this wolf began to disperse from other pack members, and was located alone outside of the traditional Hawks Nest Pack territory in the northern portion of the ASNF. The IFT documented five wolves with this pack at the end of October, consisting of four collared wolves and one uncollared pup.
Rim Pack (collared AM1107, AF858 and F1213)
Throughout October, the IFT located the Rim Pack utilizing its summer range in the central portion of the ASNF.
Paradise Pack (collared AM795, AF1056, mp1243 and mp1245)
In October, these wolves utilized the traditional summer range of their territory in the northern portion of the ASNF. IFT personnel were able to trap and recollar AF1056 this month.
ON THE FAIR:
M1183 (collared)
During October, the IFT located this wolf on the FAIR.
M1253 (collared)
In October, IFT personnel were able to trap and collar this wolf on the FAIR as part of routine fall trapping efforts.
IN NEW MEXICO:
Dark Canyon (collared AM992, AF923, fp1250 and fp1251)
Throughout October, the IFT located the Dark Canyon Pack within its traditional territory in the west-central portion of the GNF. The IFT trapped and collared two new pups-of-the-year with this pack this month.
Fox Mountain Pack (collared M1158 and F1188)
Throughout October, the IFT documented these wolves together in the northwest portion of the GNF. The IFT has been unable to document the presence of any pups with this pack this month.
Luna Pack (collared AF1115, F1246 and mp1241)
In October, the IFT located the Luna Pack within its traditional territory in the north-central portion of the GNF.
Middle Fork Pack (collared AM871 and AF861)
In October, the IFT located AM871 and AF861 within their traditional territory in the central portion of the GNF.
Morgart’s Pack (collared M1155)
Throughout October, the IFT documented this wolf traveling in the central portion of the GNF.
San Mateo Pack (collared AM1157, AF903, m1252, f1212 and mp1249)
During October, the IFT located these wolves in the traditional San Mateo Pack territory in the north-central portion of the GNF. IFT personnel captured and collared two new wolves, mp1249 and m1252, from this pack this month.
Willow Springs Pack (collared M1185)
Throughout October, the IFT located this wolf in the north-central portion of the GNF. The IFT confirmed the presence of another single wolf traveling with M1185 in October, and these two wolves are now named the Willow Springs Pack.
F1105 (collared)
At the end of October, the IFT located this wolf in the central portion of the GNF. The IFT continued efforts to document the presence of the one remaining hybrid pup which this wolf produced this past spring; however, no evidence of the pup has been found.
f1211 (collared)
During October, the IFT documented this wolf traveling through the north-central portion of the GNF.
MORTALITIES
No wolf mortalities were documented this month.
INCIDENTS
During October, IFT personnel investigated three livestock depredation incidents in the BRWRA. None of the incidents involved Mexican wolves.
On October 9, WS personnel investigated at least eleven dead yearlings in the vicinity of Canyon del Buey on the GNF. The cause of death was determined to be complications associated with transportation of the cattle to the grazing allotment. The carcasses were covered with lime to reduce their palatability to scavengers in the area.
On October 18, WS personnel investigated a dead cow near Sand Flat on the GNF. The cause of death was determined to be organ failure.
On October 24, WS personnel investigated a dead cow on the FAIR. The cause of death was undetermined, but not attributable to predation.
CAPTIVE MANAGEMENT
No significant activity occurred this month.
COMMUNICATION AND COORDINATION
On October 8, Jeff Dolphin presented a Project overview to 40 wildlife management students and associated class instructors from the University of Arizona and Arizona State University at the Sipe Wildlife Area.
On October 8, Melissa Kreutzian presented a Project overview to 40 individuals at the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge.
On October 22, Melissa Kreutzian and staff from the USFWS Regional Office presented a Project overview and Mexican wolf information at the Rio Grande Zoo during Wolf Awareness Week.
PROJECT PERSONNEL
Janess Vartanian, rejoined the Project as a temporary FWS technician this month. Janess worked for several years previously on the Project as a biologist for the AGFD, and we are fortunate to have her back.
After almost 30 years of involvement in efforts to reintroduce Mexican wolves back into the southwestern United States, Terry Johnson, endangered species coordinator for the Arizona Game and Fish Department, is calling it a career. Terry has been instrumental in almost all aspects of reintroduction activities, and his dedication to the involvement of all stakeholders in the process of Mexican wolf reintroduction and management has been a hallmark of his time with the Project. Terry will remain involved in policy issues for AGFD on a part-time basis. Thank you, Terry, for all of your efforts and dedication to the return of Mexican wolves to the Southwestern landscape. Your guidance and insight will be sorely missed!
REWARDS OFFERED
The USFWS is offering a reward of up to $10,000; the AGFD Operation Game Thief is offering a reward of up to $1,000; and the NMDGF is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the conviction of the individual(s) responsible for the shooting deaths of Mexican wolves. A variety of non-governmental organizations and private individuals have pledged an additional $46,000 for a total reward amount of up to $58,000, depending on the information provided.
Individuals with information they believe may be helpful are urged to call one of the following agencies: USFWS special agents in Mesa, Arizona, at (480) 967-7900, in Alpine, Arizona, at (928) 339-4232, or in Albuquerque, New Mexico, at (505) 346-7828; the WMAT at (928) 338-1023 or (928) 338-4385; AGFD Operation Game Thief at (800) 352-0700; or NMDGF Operation Game Thief at (800) 432-4263. Killing a Mexican wolf is a violation of the Federal Endangered Species Act and can result in criminal penalties of up to $50,000, and/or not more than one year in jail, and/or a civil penalty of up to $25,000.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, or disability in its programs and activities. If anyone believes that they have been discriminated against in any of the AGFD’s programs or activities, including employment practices, they may file a complaint with the Deputy Director, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086-5000, (602) 942-3000, or with the Fish and Wildlife Service, 4040 N. Fairfax Dr. Ste. 130, Arlington, VA 22203. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation or this document in an alternative format by contacting the Deputy Director as listed above.
Mexican Authorities Release Mexican Wolves In Sonora
Mexican Authorities Release Mexican Wolves In Sonora
Arizona Game and Fish Department
Arizona Game and Fish Department
PHOENIX, AZ – -(Ammoland.com)- Mexican authorities released five Mexican wolves in the San Luis Mountains in Sonora, Mexico, on Oct. 12, 2011, approximately 80 miles south of Douglas, Ariz.
Mexico’s desire to release wolves in Sonora as part of its recovery effort has been known for the past two years, although the exact timetable for release was unknown.
“Mexico is a sovereign nation with its own wildlife conservation and recovery goals. The vast majority of historic habitat for the Mexican wolf is actually in Mexico, and long-term full recovery of the sub-species is incumbent on successful recovery there, as well as our recovery efforts in the U.S.,” said Larry Voyles, director of the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
Game and Fish will continue to work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to determine how the wolves will be monitored and managed if animals cross the international border.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department has been actively involved in the multi-agency effort to reintroduce Mexican wolves to portions of their historic range in the east-central portion of Arizona (and adjacent New Mexico) for many years. In 1998, 11 captive-reared Mexican wolves were released into the Blue Range Wolf Recovery Area (BRWRA) in eastern Arizona.
The current population in Arizona-New Mexico was assessed to be approximately 50 animals during 2011 monitoring. The Mexican wolf is considered endangered in the United States and Mexico.
Game and Fish continues to express concern over the lack of progress in aspects of wolf conservation.
“The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service initiated efforts earlier this year to update the 1982 recovery plan for the Mexican wolf throughout its historic range in the American Southwest and Mexico,” said Voyles. “The Service also recently released a draft management plan for wolves that might travel to Arizona or New Mexico as a result of the recent release in Sonora or future releases in Mexico. It will likely take years to finalize either plan because of federal environmental compliance processes that could easily be further drawn out by appeals and even litigation.”
Voyles added that wolf management is an emotional issue with potential effects on the human environment, as well as the natural environment. Everyone engaged in wolf management has a responsibility towards open and transparent coordination and information sharing with Arizona stakeholders, as mandated under provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
Voyles said Game and Fish will make every effort to work with the Fish and Wildlife Service, neighboring states, counties, and Mexico, to the extent that transparency allows, to manage and conserve wolves in Arizona.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, or disability in its programs and activities. If anyone believes that they have been discriminated against in any of the AGFD’s programs or activities, including employment practices, they may file a complaint with the Director’s Office, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086-5000, (602) 942-3000, or with the Fish and Wildlife Service, 4040 N. Fairfax Dr. Ste. 130, Arlington, VA 22203. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation or this document in an alternative format by contacting the Director’s Office as listed above.
“Crying Wolf…?”
Folks, I’m not crying wolf here! As we have been focused on the economic plight of our country, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has quietly and behind closed doors, started laying out a plan to increase the Mexican gray wolf populations in Arizona and the Southwest, with an eye towards increasing “recovery” numbers.
Keep in mind “we” have been working on recovering this species for the last 13 years. The total cost to date is more than $24 Million and rising! Our Arizona Game and Fish Department has invested over $5 Million in the process already. With all this time, money and manpower invested, what’s the result – an estimated population in the Blue Range Wolf Recovery Area (BRWRA) of 50 wolves.
The goal for the BRWRA was for 100 animals, a number by all accounts that has been elusive. For the record, there are varying reports that the estimated population of 50 doesn’t include any wolves that are on the White Mountain and San Carlos Apache Reservations. We don’t know how many wolves exist there. So, with that framework in mind, what is the USFWS up to? You will recall that recent Congressional actions delisting the gray wolf in the Northern Rockies failed to include provisions for delisting of the Mexican gray wolf, the argument being that Arizona had not yet reached its recovery goal of 100 wolves. In response to continuing pressure from enviro-litigants USFWS is now accelerating the “recovery” process while the wolf advocates cheer them on.
At a recent USFWS meeting in New Mexico, those that were invited learned the USFWS is considering the adoption of a new Mexican Gray Wolf Recovery Plan. Word is that this plan would “significantly” increase the recovery numbers for the Mexican gray wolf in the four state area of Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Colorado. This information is very alarming given the fact that the original recovery plan published in March 1998 called for a goal of 100 wolves on the BRWRA which consists of the entire Apache and Gila National Forests in east-central Arizona and west-central New Mexico.
Arizona Sportsmen for Wildlife (AZSFW) has learned that USFWS is discussing the possibility of increasing the population to 750 wolves (three meta populations of 250 wolves each) over a four-state area. This includes Arizona,New Mexico and southern portions of Colorado and Utah. This likely means expansion of wolves across much of Arizona! This action coupled with impending release of wolves in Mexico is extremely disturbing, as not only will this likely decimate our Arizona elk and deer populations, it will also impact all recreational users, and likely further complicate the access to our public lands.
The current population of wolves in Arizona are considered experimental under what’s called a 10j rule. This status allows for management of the animals as intended under the original release agreement. If wolves released in Mexico, just happen to cross into the United States, that 10j status is thrown out the window, and the Endangered Species Act will likely trump the prior agreement and open the door for the enviro-litigants to gain traction on wolf proliferation.
AZSFW asked for a seat at the table with USFWS to participate in Mexican gray wolf recovery plan discussions, and they were turned down. USFWS does not want Arizona sportsmen and women to have a voice in this process, so we need to make our voice heard in other ways!
AZSFWC does not believe Arizona’s prey base can sustain this kind of wolf impact. While the locations have not been identified, there is speculation that in addition to the BRWRA, other potential geographic locations might include areas around the Grand Canyon and another in the southern portions of Utah/Colorado. This means, among other things, that an already-declining prized mule deer herd on the Arizona Strip could be put in further peril. And deer on the Kaibab, though rebounding due the expenditure of hundreds of thousands of sportsmen-generated conservation dollars, will be impacted as well.
If you are not concerned, you should be. In 1971, three thousand (3,000) mule deer permits were issued on the Arizona Strip. In 2010, only 180 permits were issued. Why? The declining mule deer population could not support more permits. Adding more wolves to the equation will only further jeopardize the any rebound of this herd. And enviro-litigants will not stop at 750 wolves. You only have to look at recent actions of the Center for Biological Diversity, Sierra Club and others, to realize that increasing Mexican gray wolf populations from 100 to 750 will ultimately not satisfy their desire for more and more wolves.
Consider the following facts:
• Idaho, Montana and Wyoming ultimately exceeded their recovery goals of 300 wolves (current estimates show 1,700 wolves distributed among these three states)
• USFWS delisted the wolf in the states of Idaho and Montana under the Bush administration and again under the Obama administration
• The Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies passed a resolution calling for wolf delisting
• Congress passed legislation officially delisting the wolf in the Northern Rockies
So in spite of these actions and the successful recovery of the gray wolf, the enviro-litigants continue to challenge the actions in the courts – most recently challenging the constitutionality of Congressional action to delist the gray wolf.
Enviro-litigant actions demonstrate that there objective is not just to save the wolf. The wolf recovery has been very successful in the Northern Rockies and the Great Lakes Region and moderately successful in Arizona/New Mexico. It is a business model for these organizations and they have netted millions of dollars. Their real objective is far more reaching – ultimately they want to stop mixed use (including hunting and public access) on our public lands.
What can you do? Contact our Arizona Congressional Delegation and let them know you are outraged that USFWS is now considering increasing wolf recovery numbers in Arizona. Let them know that they have failed to include Arizona’s strongest voice for wildlife, sportsmen and women out of the process! Finally, let them know you are concerned that years of conservation and wildlife habitat work, not too mention the thousands of dollars spent by sportsmen and women are on the verge of being “thrown to the wolves”.
Be candid, respectful and tactful, but let Senators and Congressmen/woman know how you feel about what is going on here!
Follow this link to let your voice be heard:
http://www.contactingthecongress.org/
Jim Unmacht, President, Arizona Sportsmen for Wildlife Conservation
Mexican authorities to release Mexican wolves in Sonora
Posted in: News Media
Sep 12, 2011
PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department has been informed that Mexican authorities plan to release five Mexican wolves this month at an undisclosed ranch location in northeastern Sonora, Mexico.
While the department does not know the specific date or other details at this time, it has received indications that the wolves being released will be fitted with satellite tracking collars.
Game and Fish is currently considering what, if any, impacts this release might have on Arizona’s Mexican wolf conservation and stakeholders. The department will continue to monitor activities related to the planned release and will continue to inform constituents as information becomes available.
Arizona Game and Fish has been actively involved in the multi-partner effort reintroducing Mexican wolves to portions of their historical range in the east-central portion of the state for many years. In 1998, 11 captive-reared Mexican wolves were released into the Blue Range Wolf Recovery Area (BRWRA) in eastern Arizona. The current population was assessed to be around 50 animals during 2011 monitoring.
The Mexican wolf is considered endangered in the United States.