Traps are on the ground now.

Late last week we learned that an order is in place to remove a wild Mexican gray wolf in Arizona by one of two options:

1. trap and relocate any wolf or
2. lethal take of (a.k.a. kill) an un-collared wolf

The effort is in process now.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service authorized the removal order due to depredation on livestock.

Killing is not the answer.

Peer-reviewed research demonstrates that killing predators is not only a crude and ineffective solution to deter depredation on cows, it can even result in increased attacks. And removals are disruptive to pack dynamics and can also give rise to yet further conflict. 

Studies show that non-lethal measures are the best means for protecting cattle, sheep and other domestic animals from depredation. Such methods include sanitary carcass removal, fladry, synchronizing birthing seasons with native ungulates, changing livestock types or breeds, spot lights, airhorns, guard animals, range riders, electric fencing and Foxlights.

Moreover, there is broader public support for these methods of predator control than for lethal methods.

Killing wolves is also expensive to taxpayers.

Despite the benefits of nonlethal methods, either the Fish and Wildlife Service nor the U.S. Forest Service requires livestock permittees to take any non-lethal measures to prevent conflicts with wolves on public lands, including our national forests.

“The Wolf Conservation Center has committed nearly 20 years of resources to Mexican gray wolf recovery in partnership with the Fish and Wildlife Service. That our partners are open to delivering this unnecessary blow to lobo recovery is beyond disappointing. Given the species’ precarious status, killing should never be a management tool; and killing in retaliation makes as much sense as executing any random person picked up in the general vicinity of a murder.”

Maggie Howell, executive director of the Wolf Conservation Center

Take action.

Respectfully call on USFWS to immediately cancel the removal/kill order today.