FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 18, 2016

Contact: Catalina Tresky; ctresky@defenders.org, (202) 772-0253

 

2015 numbers on Mexican gray wolf down

 

TUSCON - Today, the Fish and Wildlife Service (the Service) released the official annual count of endangered Mexican gray wolves in Arizona and New Mexico. The numbers this year are down, from 110 wolves at the end of 2014 to 97 wolves at the end of 2015.

Eva Sargent, Defenders of Wildlife’s senior Southwest representative, issued the following statement:

“The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service needs to do more – and do it fast – to save the lobo from extinction. In order for Mexican gray wolves to recover fully, they need more wolf releases, a science-based recovery plan and more wolf populations in suitable habitats.

“Arizona and New Mexico state game and fish commissions have strategically worked to stall this recovery effort by blocking releases, dismissing the best available science, insisting that more studies are needed before a recovery plan is finalized and pressuring the Service to keep the population small and out of the best habitats needed for recovery.

“Enough is enough. The Service needs to assert its authority and recover the Mexican gray wolf.”

 

###

Get the latest Defenders news on Twitter @defendersnews.

Past press statements are available in our newsroom and be sure to visit our multimedia library and reporter resources pages for more info, including free-use photos.

Defenders of Wildlife is dedicated to the protection of all native animals and plants in their natural communities. With more than 1.2 million members and activists, Defenders of Wildlife is a leading advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard our wildlife heritage for generations to come. For more information, visit

For nearly 80 years, Defenders of Wildlife has worked to protect and restore America’s wildlife at risk of extinction, advancing a vision of a future in which wildlife thrives, sustained by broad public support and a resilient network of healthy lands and waters. With a network of more than 2 million supporters, Defenders is an advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard wildlife for generations to come. To learn more, please visit https://defenders.org/newsroom or follow us on Instagram @defendersofwildlife.  

 

News

Mexican Gray Wolves
ARIZONA

Mexican Gray Wolf Program Cuts Worsen as Arizona Puts Up New Barriers 

The Arizona legislature yesterday passed a bill that would cut all resources to and end the transportation of Mexican gray wolf puppies into the state
Regan smyth
Washington, D.C.

Defenders of Wildlife Welcomes Regan Smyth as Vice President of the Center for Conservation Innovation

Defenders of Wildlife is pleased to announce Regan Smyth as its new Vice President and Director of the Center for Conservation Innovation. Regan brings more than two decades of experience advancing conservation through the integration of science, technology and partnerships.
Visit the newsroom