SANTA FE, N.M. (May 4, 2017) – Today it was reported that the Department of Game and Fish in New Mexico has permitted the release of two Mexican gray wolf pups into the wild but only under the condition that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) remove two wild-born pups and place them into captivity.
Bryan Bird, Southwest program director for Defenders of Wildlife, issued the following statement:
“The state of New Mexico is trying to force a ‘Sophie’s Choice’ between wolves that are already in the wild versus adding to the population with two pups that may benefit the entire wolf gene pool. This is an absurd condition and the antics coming out of the state of New Mexico are inexcusable. Only recently did the 10th Circuit Court lift an injunction placed on any new wolf releases in New Mexico.
“Now that the court has spoken, the state wants to play more games with the future of this species that is already racing towards extinction. We need more wolves and less politics. The State of New Mexico should let the scientists at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service do whatever is necessary to help rebuild the wild population of the world’s most endangered gray wolf species.”
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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