Wolves in the News
Conservationists want probe into wolf baiting
SILVER CITY, N.M. (AP) - Conservation groups want a federal investigation into allegations that a Mexican gray wolf was baited into killing a cow so the wolf, in turn, could be killed.
Representatives of 15 conservationist and environmental group have sent a letter to Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne requesting a probe by the inspector general.
The groups want the federal government to look into the possibility the wolf was killed through abuse of government-provided telemetry radio receivers.
They also want an investigation into whether ranchers are taking advantage of a rule that requires removal of any wolf that kills three head of livestock within a year.
Kempthorne’s office could not immediately comment until officials had seen the letter.
Associated Press - January 3, 2008
Catron County Kids Get Wolf Protection
GLENWOOD, N. M. - A lot of people in Glenwood and Reserve are scared as Mexican gray wolves recently reintroduced to the area have been coming into the Catron County communities.
Last week people spotted one just 17 yards from an elementary school playground, and the school district is now building enclosed shelters to protect kids at bus stops.
Any children playing at Glenwood Elementary are now overseen by an armed deputy.
It was Nov. 28 when a Mexican gray wolf apparently came dangerously close. It's just one of the many sightings in Glenwood and reserve in recent days.
"I couldn't believe my eyes," Joanne Blount of Glenwood told KRQE News 13. "None of us could believe what we were seeing right in front of us.
"It was right by the library community center."
Blount said she saw the wolf on Nov. 24. Misty Allred's brother-in-law told her he saw one a few days later.
"Just below the ridge here," Allred said.
Catron County Sheriff Shawn Menges said it's fair to say people are scared. Menges has now assigned a deputy to Glenwood Elementary full time, and other deputies are keeping watch in other areas.
School Superintendent Loren Cushman is especially concerned.
"The last day of school last school year we had two kids dropped off at their bus stop and they were followed home by a wolf," Cushman said. "We have several children out in the outlying areas that wait at the bus stop early in the morning."
One of the school district's solutions is to build 20 shelters like this with wire mesh and a door to put out at bus stops so kids can be protected while they wait.
But is the fear expressed by these residents is justified?
"Not if you look at the fact," Brian Millsap of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service said. "If you look at historical record you could say there is overreaction going on."
Those with Fish and Wildlife who oversee the wolf reintroduction program said wolves are not interested in hunting humans.
"There is no historical evidence of wolves attacking people in North America, certainly not in the United States in recent years," Millsap said.
But the Fish and Wildlife Service said it is trying to trap the wolf or wolves seen in town.
"If they don't move we have in the past actually gone in and brought the wolves out, trapped them, either relocated them and brought back in captivity," Millsap said.
But Catron County residents are not backing down.
"We put children before animals," said Cushman who added he thinks it's only a matter of time until a child is attacked."
The wolf reintroduction program began in southwestern New Mexico in 1998.
Several wolves have already been captured or killed by Fish and Wildlife because they preyed heavily on livestock.
The Fish and Wildlife Service is holding a series of public meetings this week about the program and possible modifications.
Reporter: Kim Vallez | Web Producer: Bill Diven KRQE News 13, Albuqerque, NM - 12/6/07. Images of Deputy and bus-stop shelters copyright KRQE News 13.
Commentary by Pamela Brown/Wolf Teacher
Here's more on the Catron County wolf drama. This is the same school - Glenwood Elementary, in the Gila Wilderness - where, in 1993, three local ranch ladies met me at the door when I came to do the DVD program. "We don't want wolves in Catron County ... or your program," said the eldest. I had made the booking with a new teacher, who was unaware of the profound hatred/fear of the wolves there. She fought back angry tears of disbelief as the "Cowbelles (Livestock Association Ladies Auxillary)" stood firm. Before I left, I apologized to the waiting 5th graders for their elders' decision to deny them endangered species education. Those were very disappointed kids.
Back home in Santa Fe, I called the media. The story played on TV & papers statewide for several days. Soon thereafter, the Silver City School Board in neighboring Grant County, declared the wolf program too controversial when a teacher requested it. I asked environmental attorney, Grove Burnett for help. I had had the wolves at his kids' school. Grove's letter, threatening legal action for obstruction, led to my taking Mission:Wolf and wolf, Shaman, to Silver City. Due to the devious spirit that is apparent in Catron, I chose not to put us all in jeopardy by returning to the Gila schools then.
This bad attitude is still playing out in 2008 with recent revelations of attempts to sabotage wolf reintroductions in Catron County. The public is now calling for investigations and prosecution of those involved in baiting wolves by branding cattle near wolf dens, thereby enticing wolves to eat livestock. Rules for the Mexican wolf reintroduction declare that a wolf will be removed if it attacks livestock 3 times. The intense concern for their children's safety is not reflected in this behavior. Unprotected livestock, dangled under a wolf's nose obviously invites it to come closer to humans.
Better to let children be a part of the habitat health process by opening up to community discussion resulting in educated behavior and choices. The neighboring Apaches, who once called the Gila home, can tell them that in the traditional native way, decisions are made based on the effect they will have for 7 generations. Do we leave ravaged landscapes & sickening air & water for our children, or do we learn the wisdom of wild that sustains us all, along with the ways to live in smarter harmony?
