August 2010: Update
US District Judge Donald Molloy has ruled to restored Endangered Species Act protections for gray wolves throughout the Northern Rocky Mountains. Malloy's ruling knocked down a US Fish & Wildlife decision last year that kept federal protections in place in Wyoming, where state law is considered hostile to the animals' survival, but turned over to Montana and Idaho wolf management within their borders. Molloy said in his ruling that the entire Northern Rocky Mountains wolf population either must be listed as an endangered species or removed from the list, but the protections for the same population can't be different for each state. Separating the protections may solve a tricky political issue, but it does not comply with the Endangered Species Act.
Meanwhile, state wildlife officials in Montana and Idaho were reviewing the ruling that blocked them from carrying out their wolf management plans and their preparations for wolf hunts this fall. State officials said they were considering their options, including an appeal. At the end of 2009, there were an estimated 843 wolves in Idaho, 524 in Montana and 320 in Wyoming, with a handful in parts of Oregon & Washington state. Last season's trophy and fur hunts killed around 500.
On July 28th, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, signed an executive order prohibiting traps in the New Mexico portion of the Mexican Wolf Recovery Area. The order bans commercial and recreational trapping in this area including the entire Gila National Forest by private persons for a six month period beginning November 1, 2010, which is the winter trapping season. During that time, the New Mexico Department of Game & Fish is directed to study which traps and trapping methods place wolves in harm's way so these may be permanently prohibited. The order also directs the NM Department of Tourism to undertake a study on potential economic benefits of lobo-related eco tourism.
Experts agree the program is in crisis, largely due to illegal killings. At least 14 Mexican gray wolves have been harmed by private traps set throughout the recovery area. Two of the wolves had their legs amputated as a result. 12 of the 14 wolves were trapped in New Mexico. The other two were trapped in Arizona, which has banned public lands trapping since 1994.
Animals captured in body-gripping traps endure physiological trauma, dehydration, exposure, and predation. Animals that have been trapped and then released sustain injures that can reduce their survivability, or increase the likelihood of their preying on livestock because they are easier prey that native wildlife.
Let Governor Richardson know you appreciate his support for wolves. Call his office at (505) 476-2200 or email him at: fran.lucero@state.nm.us. He will be leaving office in November. Hi Lt. Governor, Diane Denish (D), supports the ban on trapping and will be running for the office of Governor. The Republican candidate, Susanna Martinez, is a hunter who supports trapping and is against the ban.
