For Immediate Release
Albuquerque

The U.S. Forest Service has revoked the grazing permit of a New Mexico rancher for the 2015 death of a Mexican gray wolf. The endangered wolf, who was collared, was trapped and hit with a shovel.

Bryan Bird, Southwest program director for Defenders of Wildlife, issued this statement:

"This is a pivotal moment for Mexican gray wolf recovery. Defenders is pleased to see the U.S. Forest Service meet their responsibility to protect our nation's endangered species. This unfortunate incident highlights the importance of using coexistence tools to live without conflicts with predators. The Forest Service can and should take on a larger role in coexistence strategy by including it in their updated management plans."

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.  

 

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