SILVER CITY – President Donald Trump’s September 4 executive order directing a review of federal wolf protections has drawn opposition from conservation groups concerned about Mexican gray wolf recovery in southwestern New Mexico.
The order gives Interior Secretary Doug Burgum 90 days to determine whether gray wolves and Mexican wolves meet recovery criteria for removal from endangered species protections or reclassification to a less-protected status. If those criteria are met, the department is directed to begin the process. The order itself does not remove existing protections. Executive order
It also calls for legislative recommendations, a review of livestock-loss compensation standards, and consideration of revised criteria for lethal wolf removal. Efforts to encourage states to change their protections are conditional on a federal recovery determination. The administration frames these measures as support for ranchers facing livestock predation. Executive order
The issue has local significance because Mexican wolf recovery activities include the Gila National Forest. Mexican wolves were first reintroduced to the wild in 1998 after being nearly eliminated. Recovery program background, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
In their joint release, conservation organizations argue that population growth alone does not demonstrate full recovery. They cite genetic diversity concerns stemming from a captive breeding program founded with just seven wolves.
The groups favor expanded nonlethal conflict prevention, including range riders and livestock carcass removal. They also object to potential changes in state protections and standards for authorizing wolf killings.
Michael Robinson of the Center for Biological Diversity said the organization is prepared to challenge changes it considers unlawful in court.
John Krehbiel – Bravo Mic Communications News, LLC – John@Bravomic.com
