4 out of 5 Mexican wolves released in Sonora Mexico are Dead.

January 23, 2012
By admin

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

2011 Mexican Wolf Program Management Incidents Reports. Catron Co.

January 10, 2012
By admin

2011 complaint/investigation Results:

Wolf-Animal Incidents;

confirmed wolf depredations – cattle=23, horse colt=1,

probable wolf depredations – cattle= 2

injuries wolf confirmed – cattle=5

Wolf Related Incidences=total 31

unknown cattle deaths =13; includes not found in time to investigate,
lost evidence due to advanced decomposition, scavenging by
canines etc.

confirmed bear depredations – cattle=3

shipping sickness- cattle=1

Amazon affiliate

January 2, 2012
By admin

This website is supported by donations and this affiliate program. If you shot Amazon please do so through this link. If we do not have what you want in this store we can place it there for purchase through this link with your email request.

Young Family Held Hostage by Mexican Grey Wolf

December 19, 2011
By admin

Here’s The Moos…. For Immediate Release / December 17, 2011
From the New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association
P.O. Box 7517 / Albuquerque, New Mexico 87194

For further information, contact: Caren Cowan
505.263.2015 phone / nmcga@nmagriculture.org email

Young Family Held Hostage by Mexican Grey Wolf
Crystal Diamond, who lives on the family ranch near Beaverhead, spent 24 hours indoors with her two daughters, ages two and three, with a collared Mexican Grey Wolf on her front porch and in her yard, before the wolf was controlled by Wildlife Serivces personnel. (Crystal has written a detailed timeline of events, see below.)
“There is no excuse for putting a young woman and her two small children in such a dangerous situation,” said Rex Wilson, New Mexico Cattle Growers Association (NMCGA) President, Carrizozo. “Our citizens should be able to rely on their government for protection, not be held captive in their homes by a government sponsored predator. As a father and taxpayer, I am outraged.”
According to Diamond, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services (FWS) personnel were aware that the wolf was in the area, but made the decision not to stay and monitor the situation, Wilson said. “These people knew the wolf was there, knew that its presence placed families, livestock and pets that could be in danger, yet chose to go home. Crystal was fortunate that a neighbor came by and helped her with this situation, which easily could have turned into a tragedy.”
The NMCGA has long opposed the wolf reintroduction program for many reasons, not the least of which is the burden placed on residents of southwestern New Mexico and southeastern Arizona. The New Mexico Game Commission has withdrawn New Mexico’s participation in any facet of the program. Arizona’s Game Commission opposes any new wolf releases until proper recovery planning and environmental impact statements are complete. The rumor is that the White Mountain Apache Tribe has withdrawn their participation, as well.
“The economy of southwestern New Mexico has been decimated, ranching, hunting and outfitting businesses are struggling to survive, people can no longer feel safe in their own homes, and for what?,” Wilson asked. “There is still not a viable population of the Mexican Grey Wolf, and timetable for establishing one. We need to put an end to this huge waste of time, money and effort now.”
-30-

Collared Wolf at Beaverhead
Crystal Diamond’s Encounter

Tuesday December 13, 2011
I returned home to Beaverhead after being gone for several days with my 2 young daughters, Cayden (age 3) and Reece (age 2). My husband was away from home and scheduled to return Thursday. On the drive back I had passed my father-in-law who informed me that a wolf had been sighted at our Beaverhead Headquarters earlier that morning in the horse corrals & harassing our peacocks. The wolf had been chased away.

Arriving at Beaverhead, I drove up to the main headquarters to speak with U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) representatives already there. They stated that they were aware of the wolf sighting and would return in the morning. I drove directly to my home, reversing my truck up to the front porch. I unloaded both of my children from their car seats and placed them on the front porch which runs the entire length of my house. I began unloading groceries and luggage from the bed of my truck walking in and out of the house with the front door wide open. The dogs played rambunctiously around my vehicle and around the yard. I gave little attention to the commotion of the dogs and continued to unload my truck. My daughters were still outside when I walked back out my open front door to see my neighbor speeding up my driveway hollering out his window. He yelled for me to take the girls inside while pointing to the dogs who were roughhousing with a collared wolf no farther than 35 feet from my 2 year old daughter. I grabbed my girls and ran inside slamming the door behind us. My neighbor asked for a rifle to haze the wolf and took off running in its direction. Within minutes I heard a gunshot. I waited about 15 minutes before locking the children in the house and walking up over the hillside to locate my neighbor. I was yelling for him as loud as I could. Topping out over the hill approximately 100 yards from the house – I saw the wolf stopped and staring about 50 yards in front of me. Screaming, I ran as fast as I could back to the house. Apparently, as my neighbor ran up over the hill to haze the wolf she had circled back around, beating him back to the house. It was soon completely dark & we were unable to see any further than the glow of my porch lights. My neighbor instructed me to remain inside the house with my children and dogs and not to open the door at anytime during the night.

My overhead porch light, two motion lights, and a brightly lit holiday porch decoration were left on. Most of the inside lights were on, including our Christmas tree in the front window. Music played as the girls ran around the house up until bath time at 6:30 p.m. I had just placed them in the tub and walked directly to the recliner in the living room just feet from the front window. I was on the telephone when I looked over my shoulder to see the wolf staring back at me . . . her nose pressed against the window pane. I jumped up and stepped away from the window. She remained at the window watching me for just the few seconds before I ran out of the living room into the bathroom where my children were. I called my husband on his cell phone who at this time was on his way home. Throughout the evening my male border collie whimpered at the front door aggressively trying to get out. Both dogs paced the house on high alert all night. At my husband’s request, my neighbor returned to my house. He sat on my front porch with nothing but a blanket, camera, & gun in freezing temperatures until midnight when my husband returned home. At that time, they noted all the tracks on and around the front porch and attempted to preserve several tracks by placing bowls and cans over the prints. Preserving all the tracks would be impossible, as fresh snowfall began to cover the ground.

Wednesday December 14, 2011
Our neighbor returned to our house around 7:30am. Together with my husband, they went to take photographs of the wolf tracks they’d tried to preserve the night before. New wolf tracks in fresh snow were everywhere – all around the children’s play yard in the back of the house, leading up to and on the front porch, in the front yard, and in the driveway. Based of the location of tracks, they determined the wolf spent most of the night within 50 yards of the house.

USFWS, Catron County wolf investigator, and Catron County Commissioner all arrived around 8:00am. Using tracking devises, the wolf was determined to be with a quarter mile of the house. I was assured that the wolf would be removed.

Pressure from heavier-than-normal vehicle traffic and people on the ground, had pushed her as far as two miles from our house throughout the day.

Later that evening, the wolf was returning to our home and was put down by Wildlife Services. She was euthanized on private property 150 yards from my house. I was notified by Wildlife Service Officers that the wolf had been removed and would no longer pose a threat to me or my children. Words cannot express my overwhelming sense relief when I received the news.

My daughters and I had literally been held prisoner in our own home for over 24 hours. It’s difficult to describe the terror of a predator so fearless and eager to get in my home. My responsibility as a mother is to keep my children safe at all times. For a period of time, that God- Given Right was stripped away. The thought of “what might have been” consumes my every thought.

Thank you to USFWS for resolving this issue in a quick and effective manner. Thanks for the swift action of Wildlife Services and the professionalism of their officers. And most of all, thank you to a neighbor who placed the safety of my children above his own. Without his watchful eye, the events of my story may have very easily had an unforgivably tragic ending.

Mexican Wolf Shot for Frequenting Homes Interacting With and Threating Children and Dogs

December 17, 2011
By admin

DNA samples confirm wolves killed Southwest Alaska teacher

December 7, 2011
By admin


By DAN JOLING
Last updated: December 6th, 2011 06:25 PM (PST)

At least two wolves chased down and killed a teacher who was jogging on a road last year outside a rural Alaska village, according to a report released Tuesday by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

The body of Candice Berner, 32, a special education teacher originally from Slippery Rock, Pa., was found March 8, 2010, two miles outside Chignik Lake. The village is 474 miles southwest of Anchorage, on the Alaska Peninsula.

Biologists ruled out reasons for the attack other than aggression. Investigators found no evidence that the wolves had acted defensively or that Berner was carrying food. They found no kill site that wolves may have been defending, no indication that the wolves had become habituated to people, and no evidence of rabies.

“This appears to have been an aggressive, predatory attack that was relatively short in duration,” the report concluded.

Berner’s death by wolves was unprecedented in Alaska, but the animals were immediately suspected. The state medical examiner concluded that Berner died from animal mauling. Alaska State Troopers investigators found drag marks and wolf tracks around the body.

Eight wolves were culled in the aftermath. DNA from two wolves was confirmed on Berner’s body and clothing, including from one wolf not killed.

Chignik Lake, a village with just 73 residents, including 17 students, is off the road system; primary access is by airplane. Berner, a former gymnast, was hired by the Lake and Peninsula Borough School District to teach in multiple communities. She flew to Chignik Lake on the day of her death and spent time with students.

At 4-foot-10-inches and 115 pounds, Berner was fit and active. After school, she faxed her time sheet to the district, apparently changed into running clothes and jogged down the only road out of the community.

The road runs west along the side of a hill. A witness said her tracks made an abrupt reversal as the road curved, according to the state report.

Those tracks had been wiped out by the time investigators reached the village, but they said she may have started running back when she noticed the wolves traveling in the opposite direction or became alarmed at their behavior. The wind was blowing from the west, and the wolves may have detected her scent.

One or two wolves gave chase along the edge of the road, while another ran above the road and intercepted her. A depression in the snow with traces of blood on the road showed where Berner was first knocked down or fell. Investigators found a second depression 10 feet away, indicating she was knocked down or fell a second time.

Tracks suggested Berner struggled and crawled away, then was pulled downhill. The amount of blood suggested that by then, she was severely wounded. Investigators concluded she died in a clearing 30 feet from the road at a spot where snow melted in a 3-foot circle and a large blood stain was found.

“Tracks and markings in the snow indicated that the struggle with the wolves was brief and death occurred quickly,” the report said.

Her body was subsequently dragged out of the clearing 83 feet downhill into brush.

Four Chignik Lake residents returning home on snowmobiles saw blood on the road, and a man who walked off the road spotted Berner’s body. Later that night, a man who went to guard the body spotted a wolf nearby and saw that the body had been dragged 70 more feet downhill and that more of it had been eaten.

Alaska State Troopers told villagers to move the body to the village for safekeeping.

A Fish and Game Department biologist found nine sets of wolf tracks within a 30-foot radius of the body but the department concluded that four or fewer wolves were directly associated with the attack.

After the tragedy, when residents were unable to kill wolves, the Fish and Game Department decided to cull wolves within 30 miles of the village and killed eight. One adult female was killed March 26 within a mile of the village, and DNA from that animal, as well as at least one other wolf, was found on Berner’s body and clothing.

“The other wolf is unknown, as it was not one of the wolves culled near Chignik Lake,” the report said.

As many as three or four wolves may have left DNA evidence but that could not be confirmed by biologists.

Berner likely was listening to a portable music player as she ran, but that was not considered a factor contributing to her death because wolves travel almost silently and wind would have masked sounds.

If she suddenly reversed course after spotting wolves, the report said, a flight response or the appearance of one “could have elicited a predatory response by the wolves.”

Read more: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/12/06/v-printerfriendly/1934931/dna-samples-confirm-wolves-killed.html#ixzz1fozGrEpA

Weirdo threatens Scott Rockholm, director of Yellowstone is Dead.

November 22, 2011
By admin

Wow. This is the kind of mentality that not only supports these kind of destructive programs but also do such things as the occupy wall street. This video is threatening and vulgar but if you are up to it, you can see what some of our friends are being forced to deal with. I would have embedded this video but the person who posted it disabled the video. I expect it to disappear from Youtube very soon simply because he has to eventually sober up and be embarrassed by this.

AZ Game and Fish Mexican wolf update.

November 5, 2011
By admin

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 Wolves don’t belong in Utah’s Dixie (OPINION)

October 26, 2011
By admin


EDITOR’S NOTE: The following is an editorial submitted by Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and does not necessarily represent the views of St. George News.

When people say the wolf is at the door, they are typically using a popular idiom to indicate they have fallen on hard times. But that expression could become more than a figure of speech in southern Utah if the Obama administration has its way.

With the federal government falling short of its goal to reintroduce 100 Mexican wolves in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Arizona and New Mexico, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is now proposing to greatly expand their numbers and place them outside their historic range where the consequences could be dire. And the scientists appointed to look at expanding the scope of Mexican wolf reintroduction efforts have Utah’s Dixie squarely in their political crosshairs.

As part of their proposal to “reintroduce” 750 Mexican wolves, these scientists want to have a self-sustaining population of 250 wolves in southern Utah and northern Arizona – places that fall well outside the predators’ historic range. How can you “recover” Mexican wolves in areas where they have not been?

Now I realize geography covers too much ground to be understood by many in Washington. But I expect better from the Administration and its appointed scientists, who are kowtowing to environmental extremists and ignoring multiple scientific studies that confine the northern extent of Mexican wolves’ historic range to Arizona and New Mexico.

Just as egregious, the agency wants to list Mexican wolves under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) as a “subspecies,” which will prevent Utah and other states from managing the predators if they wander outside of their historic range. Utah wildlife officials say this could lead to a re-listing of gray wolves in parts of Utah where they have just been delisted because the ESA requires unprotected species to be treated as endangered if they look similar to protected species such as Mexican wolves.

Furthermore, the ESA prevents a species like the Mexican wolf from ever being delisted and turned over to the states for management until it is no longer endangered in “all or a significant portion of its range.” Since 90 percent of the Mexican wolf’s historic range is in Mexico, which the Administration’s recovery plan does not address, there is virtually no prospect of that ever happening.

So what would be the consequences to southern Utah? Without any means of controlling the Mexican wolf or protecting livestock, the losses to our state’s farming and ranching industry, which accounts for $1.5 billion in sales every year, would be severe. The same is true of elk and other wildlife in southern Utah. The reintroduction of gray wolves in Yellowstone has taken a big bite out of elk numbers there. Placing a similar number of wolves in and around Utah’s Dixie, where elk and big game animals are not nearly as numerous, is irresponsible. Once the elk are gone, the wolves will move on to livestock – just as gray wolves have and continue to do since their reintroduction in 1995 to Yellowstone and northern Idaho.

It is past time for Washington bureaucrats to turn wolf management over to the dedicated state professionals who have a proven track record of managing elk, deer and other wildlife. The federal government has no business foisting Mexican wolves and other non-native species on Utah. I am committed to continue to do all I can to ensure that they don’t.

Mexican wolves clearly do not belong in Utah. State officials say they don’t want them. Neither do ranchers, sportsmen and others in southern Utah – and they are not just whistling Dixie.

– Sen. Orrin Hatch is a member of the Senate Western Caucus

Mexican Authorities Release Mexican Wolves In Sonora

October 21, 2011
By admin

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.

Mexican wolf Petition please sign here.

Northern wolf petition please sign.

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