Don't Let Feds Use "Poison Pills" to Kill Mexican Gray Wolves
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service just issued a new rule for managing Mexican gray wolves. At a glance, the rule seems to offer some hope for the most endangered canine in the United States by allowing these wolves to roam a wider area.
But the rule is riddled with "poison-pill" provisions that cap the Mexican gray wolf population at 325, a number too low for recovery. Other provisions block the wolves' access to suitable habitat and make it easier for ranchers and government agents to kill these rare animals.
The Mexican gray wolf is one of the most endangered mammals in North America. At last count a year ago, only 83 Mexican wolves survived in the Southwest, including a mere five breeding pairs.
We can't let them disappear.
Take action today—tell the Service to revise the rule to protect Mexican gray wolves from disappearing forever.
Dear Director Dan Ashe,
I am writing to ask you to reform the recently-issued rule for managing Mexican gray wolves in Arizona and New Mexico.
[Your comment will be added here]
As you well know, Mexican gray wolves are one of the most endangered mammals in North America with only an estimated 83 wolves roaming the Southwest and only 5 breeding pairs remaining.
While the new management rule gives the lobo more room to roam it unreasonably caps the Mexican gray wolf population at 325—a number that is too low to ensure the recovery of this imperiled species. Additionally, by limiting the wolves' range to areas south of Interstate 40 the rule blocks access to suitable habitat in Northern Arizona and New Mexico that would allow the Mexican gray wolf population to recover. Finally, by giving greater latitude private individuals and government agents to kill wolves, the rule negates any safeguards to guarantee that such killing will not remove genetically essential individuals from the Mexican wolf population, which is already under threat of genetic inbreeding.
To ensure the protection and recovery of the Mexican gray wolf population in the Southwest I urge you swiftly address these points and issue a modified management rule for these incredible animals.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
