Page 28 - aruba-today-20190525

A28 SCIENCE
Saturday 25 May 2019
Illegal killings, political opposition hobble wolf recovery

By JONATHAN DREW, SU- was money well-spent,"
SAN MONTOYA BRYAN and said Ramona McGee, a
MATTHEW BROWN lawyer for the Southern En-
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Illegal vironmental Law Center.
killings and longstanding Yet a 1990 federal recovery
political resistance have plan goal for 220 animals in
undercut the return of two the wild was never met.
species of endangered Wolf numbers were bol-
wolves to the wild, frustrat- stered by releases of cap-
ing government efforts that tive-born pups and ster-
already cost more than $80 ilization of coyotes that
million but have failed to competed for space. But
meet recovery targets. those approaches were
The number of red wolves halted in 2015 amid pres-
roaming the forests of North sure from conservative
Carolina has plunged to politicians and landowners
fewer than three dozen in who deemed wolves a nui-
recent years — the most sance.
precarious position of any Conservationists contend
U.S. wolf species. the government aban-
In the Southwest, a record doned proven techniques.
number of Mexican gray "The biggest problem now
wolves turned up dead is not the mortality, it's the
in 2018, tempering an in- This May 25, 2014 photo provided by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife shows a 100-pound lack of releases," said Mc-
crease in the overall popu- adult male wolf which was outfitted with a GPS radio-collar in the Mt. Emily area. Gee, the lawyer.
lation to 131 animals. Associated Press Benjamin, the government
With such small numbers field supervisor, said the
in the wild, biologists say over whether the wolves the Gulf Coast of Texas and nearly three decades. For wild red wolf population al-
poaching has a big effect. should be treated as dis- Louisiana and Mexican Mexican wolves, 83 deaths ready was declining before
Over the last two decades, tinct species warranting wolves south of the border. were classified as "illegal" pup releases stopped, de-
more than half of Mexican continued protection. Reintroduction programs over 20 years and that clining to say whether po-
wolf deaths and about With no changes to cur- faced stiff resistance from doesn't include any of the litical pressure influenced
one in four red wolf deaths rent management, the wild ranchers and rural com- 21 deaths in 2018 still under the decision.
resulted from gunshots or population of red wolves munities, a hurdle that so investigation. Bill Rich, an eastern North
were otherwise deemed il- likely will be lost within the far the Western gray wolf The Mexican and red wolf Carolina landowner, com-
legal, The Associated Press next decade, according alone has overcome. populations are struggling plains wolves have made
found. to federal officials . The Western gray wolves now despite a great amount of it harder to fight coyotes
"It's basically a numbers Mexican gray wolf recov- number around 6,000 in the money and work put into that kill deer on game land.
game," said Brady McGee, ery team is more confident Northern Rockies, Pacific their reintroduction. A federal judge in 2014
who heads the Mexican and hopes to double the Northwest and Western Since 1977, more than $44.2 banned night hunting of
wolf recovery program for number in the wild over Great Lakes. They're legal million has been spent on coyotes in red wolf territory
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife several years. to hunt in Montana, Idaho the Mexican wolf, accord- because the canines are
Service. "As we're trying ___ and Wyoming, and U.S. of- ing to federal reports. At easily mixed up.
to recover these wolves in FRAUGHT HISTORY, MIXED ficials in March announced least $39.4 million has been Rich says the reintroduction
the wild, illegal mortalities RESULTS plans to end their remain- spent on red wolves over program is a failure and
are still one of the biggest Conflicts over wolves have ing federal protections the past three decades. should be scrapped.
threats." persisted since Europeans across the Lower 48 states. About $160 million more ___
For red wolves, gunshot arrived in America. Boun- The main reason for their has been spent primarily on HURDLES IN THE SOUTHWEST
deaths are a problem ties paid by early settlers success is location: West- Western gray wolves. Federal managers face
particularly when hunting gave way to government ern gray wolves were re- ___ similar resistance in the
season collides with wolf extermination campaigns introduced to areas with DWINDLING RED WOLVES Southwest, where ranch-
breeding season, said Pete as the animals clashed with expansive public lands and Legal protections for red ers see Mexican wolves as
Benjamin, a Fish and Wild- the agrarian way of life. plenty of deer, elk and oth- wolves have been solidi- a threat to their livelihood.
life Service field supervisor When federal officials be- er prey. fied by the recent scientific Wolves were found respon-
in North Carolina. gan recovery efforts in the "The habitat was so good conclusion that they're a sible for killing nearly 100
Wolf recovery is further hin- late 1960s, only remnant that it didn't matter if half distinct species, not a wolf- cows and calves last year.
dered by political opposi- populations remained out- the people hated them," coyote hybrid as some In March alone, livestock
tion over attacks on live- side Alaska — Western gray said Ed Bangs, a retired landowners argued. But kills totaled 20, and ranch-
stock or game animals and wolves along the U.S.-Can- federal biologist who led conservationists worry the ers say their calving rates
longstanding arguments ada border, red wolves on recovery efforts in the news comes too late, with are dropping because of
Northern Rockies. only 25 to 30 of the canines the wolves.
By contrast, Mexican left in the wild and 200 or Wolves also represent com-
wolves live in isolated des- more in captive breeding petition to outfitters and
ert mountain ranges, where programs. hunters seeking elk in south-
year-round livestock graz- After red wolves were rein- western New Mexico and
ing increases their odds of troduced to North Carolina Arizona.
running into trouble. Red in 1987, the wild popula- Tom Klumker, a hunting
wolves are in an area dom- tion grew beyond 100 and guide in the Gila back-
inated by farms and pri- remained stable through country, fears the reintro-
vate land. 2012. duction program will push
At least 96 red wolves died "For almost 25 years, this ranchers, hunters and rural
of gunshot wounds over was hugely successful. It residents from the land.q