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Reintroduction of the Wolf into the Southwest U.S.

Long before cowboys roamed, before Spaniards rode in conquest, before even the Apache and Navajo arrived, wolves inhabited the ancient Southwest, but as cattle ranching took hold in the 1800s, the predatory wolf became an obstacle to commerce. By the 1920s it was just about exterminated from the Western landscape. But wolves are making a comeback of a kind in part because of shifting public values.

Hear the Wolf's howl.


In January 1995, 19 Canadian gray wolves were released into Yellowstone National Park by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In January 1996 another 20 were brought to Yellowstone and to Idaho. Eleven Mexican gray wolves were reintroduced into the Apache National Forest of eastern Arizona in March of 1998. Of those eleven, five have been shot and the rest are just simply missing. On CBS 60 Minutes II, in March of 2000, local residents blamed the government for caving into the demands of envrionmentalists. In turn, environmentalists blamed the government for the failures of the program. So, the battle for public acceptance continues. Should the Mexican wolf be reintroduced? You decide.

Hear the introduction.

For more information, you can read this piece by Sandy Tolan of National Public Radio's Weekend Edition.

To help you make up your mind, you can listen to several people in the area who would be affected by the re-introduction:

You can think about some of the major issues involved.

You can read about some other stories that involve these issues.

News Releases:
June 24, 1999 Confirmed depredation on domestic cattle by released Mexican gray wolves.
May 26, 1999 Two wolf packs transported into remote areas of the Apache National Forest in Arizona.
April 22, 1999 Wolf pair produced four pups - appear to be doing well.
April 13, 1999 Mexican Gray Wolf died as a result of "blunt trauma-vehicular collision."
Mar 23, 1999 Wolf's body sighted lying alongside highway 191 in eastern Arizona

March 98 - 11 Wolves Reintroduced in eastern Arizona
Adult male shot by camper April 28,1998 Wild-born pup of female - last seen on Aug.22, 1998 - presumed dead
Mate of male - returned to captivity May 1, 1998 Adult female - lost collar - last seen on September 19 or 23, 1998 - presumed dead
1-yr-old female - dispersed out of recovery area - returned to captivity May 18, 1998 2-yr-old female - found dead October 18, 1998 (apparent gunshot)
2-yr-old female - dispersed to Alpine, AZ, area - returned to captivity May 28, 1998 Yearling male found dead November 7, 1998 (apparent gunshot)
Adult female - found dead (apparent gunshot) Aug.7, 1998 3 males remaining in the wild - 1998


In NPR's "Weekend Edition Sunday, Mark Roberts reports on the program to reintroduce the gray wolf to the wilds of New Mexico and Arizona. Five of the 11 wolves released have been killed, and some ranchers are dead set against the program (9:40 min.)


The return of the Gray Wolf in Minnesota
Before being listed as an endangered species in 1974, the gray wolf was hunted nearly to extinction. The only place it survived in the continental US was northern Minnesota. Now the wolf has returned in such great numbers that some people worry about a threat to livestock. There are more than 2400 estimated gray wolves in Minnesota. The government wants to take it off the endangered species list, which would give the state control over what happens to the wolf. The state could decide to allow the gray wolf to be fair game for hunters. Mary Losure, on NPR's "All Things Considered" reports (6:00 min.).

Well, what about it? What is your decision?

Do you agree with the reintroduction of the wolf into the Desert Southwest?

Yes!

No!

 

Comments:

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