Wolves to be released in AZ and NM

[Liberty Belle]

How do you guys in the south feel about this? Probably like it as much as ranchers up north appreciated the wolves being turned loose on us here, huh?

The states neighboring these won't be safe from these predators any more than we were. Good luck to you. You're gonna need it...

Five wolves to be released in Gila forest area
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
April 24, 2006

SANTA FE (AP) - Five endangered Mexican gray wolves will be released in the Gila National Forest over the next few months.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service began releasing wolves into the wild on the Arizona-New Mexico border in 1998 to re-establish the species in part of its historic range.

A male and a pregnant female are to be turned loose on the eastern side of the Blue Range Recovery Area in late April, just prior to the female giving birth. Program officials said that would increase the likelihood that the pair will remain in the area.

The site was chosen because the owners of the closest private land and the grazing permit-holder said the release was acceptable. The area also is a considerable distance from the San Carlos Reservation. The wolves were removed from the reservation last year over boundary issues.

Two females and one male will be released in June in one of four approved sites in the Gila Wilderness. The exact site will be determined after other wolf packs in the area have established dens, so the distance between the existing packs and the new wolves can be maximized.

The female wolves were captured in the Gila National Forest in 2005 as pups when their pack was removed from the area because of livestock killings. The male was captured outside its boundary in 2005.

The reintroduction program allows Mexican gray wolves to be released in New Mexico only if they previously were released in Arizona and have experience in the wild.

"We are aware of the need for caution in releasing wolves that have been captured elsewhere," said wolf biologist Saleen Richter. "It is important that we work to release wolves that will adapt to their new surroundings without conflict."

As of the end of 2005, there were an estimated 35 to 49 wolves in Arizona and New Mexico.

Wolves outside New Mexico's Gila National Forest and Arizona's Apache National Forest can be removed at the request of landowners. Fish and Wildlife officials say that has resulted in a number of previously captured wolves that can be moved to the Gila Wilderness and surrounding areas.

A five-year review of the reintroduction program recommended expanding the range in which the animals are allowed. The program is awaiting a response from the Fish and Wildlife Service.

Ranchers have objected to wolf reintroduction, contending the animals threaten their livestock and that expanding the program could jeopardize more ranchers as well as population centers. A year ago, two New Mexico groups lost a federal lawsuit aimed at ending the program.

Environmental organizations have argued that wolf reintroduction is hampered by people more than biological concerns and that ranchers who oppose the program never will be satisfied.
On the Net:

Arizona Game and Fish wolf distribution map: http://www.azgfd.gov/wolf

http://www.freenewmexican.com/news/42730.html

 

[HAY MAKER]

I guess you are right Libertybelle,they probably already have plans to release some in TX,as if we didnt already have enough varmints.............good luck

 

[Ranchy]

We personally don't care any more for the idea now, than we did when they first started turning them loose on us in 1998.........

I'd like to see all of them vanish. So many ranchers around here have lost calves, cows, even a bull and a horse were victims of the wolves.....and it's so hard to prove the wolves did it, even though everyone knows that's the way it is. There was even one wolf, that came up on my dad's neighbor's porch, and carried away a cat that was there......they have no respect for anyone or anything. That's the trouble with hand-raising them, and then turning them loose. They aren't afraid of people, and will come right at ya! :shock:

I keep thinkin, to myself, of course.........there's a good reason that they were almost extinct...........but try convincin the tree huggin so called environmentalists of that! :roll:

 

[Ranchy]

One more thing..............my BIL being run off his ranch in the Gila/Aldo Leopold Wildernesses, was probably so they could put more wolves out there..... :roll:

Derned forest circus, anyway! :evil: :evil:

 

[Aztumbleweed]

My family homesteaded over on the Blue river and made extra money trapping and killing wolves. It seems to me that the government is throwing bad money after good. Pay to erradicate them and then pay to put them back just does not make sense.

 

[Ranchy]

AZTumbleweed, that's our government for ya........ :roll:

Just got this from our Cattle Grower's Association, re: the wolf release:

"Wolf F 873 is being released at the North Seco relapse site in Sierra County this week. She is a three strikes livestock depredator in 04-05. In November Terry Johnson stated to the ranching community that NO three strike wolves will ever be considered for re-release in the BRWRA again. They may someday be used in a Mexico release. So much for that promise.

Please see the incident reports that are not related to livestock death in the following attachment. Sierra co. is getting one of these animals.



Feb 3 05 wolf update ( you can find it yourself here) HYPERLINK http://www.fws.gov/ifw2es/mexicanwolf/BRWRP_notes.cfm

On January 25, m871 was captured on an allotment in Greenlee County. This wolf was released as a pup in July with the Aspen Pack, and slipped his radio collar soon after release. On January 26, f873 of the Aspen Pack was also captured on the same allotment. This wolf, and m871, was involved in three depredations this month. (See "Incidents" below for more information). Both wolves are being held at the Sevilleta Wolf Management Facility in NM and will be evaluated for future translocation (As of November we were all promised that the new management SOP would not allow them to re-release another stock killer with 3 strikes. They lied again. )

Incidents Feb 3 05

On January 17, WS received a report by a rancher in Greenlee County that two cows were found severely injured near the location of f873. One cow is being treated for its injuries and may survive, but the other, due to extensive injuries, was destroyed. Two days later, the rancher found the remains of a calf. WS determined that wolves (Aspen f873 and an uncollared wolf) were involved and began trapping efforts. Hazing activities were not an option as the allotment is too large. Both wolves (f873 and m871) released with the Aspen Pack were captured and taken into captivity.

Illegal release: (it is against their own SOP's to re-release this wolf anywhere at all, they have promised everyone from Congress to the ranching community that nothing with 3 strikes will be re-released. That is why we are so shocked they pulled this release during calving season rather than mid summer like we were told.

Contacted ranchers: I made a list yesterday and gave Saleen Richter phone numbers and contact information for all the ranchers in the release area who are not Ted Turner, apparently she knows how to get in tough with the Turner people. I was called Sunday and asked to put that list together by Saleen Richter. Why is it my job to make the neighboring ranchers aware this is happening if the agency or agencies notified everyone already?

The answer is they did not do their job until after getting the wolves in the pens. They made no attempt to give the local ranchers any input into this release except for the public comment perior on whether pens should be used or not. But they did use Turners apparent approval of the release (without citing who he was) as a talking point in the press that local ranchers approved of the program.

thanks

Laura"