Mexican wolves were first listed as an endangered species in 1976, after decades of human conflict extirpated them from their native habitat in the southwestern United States. The Mexican wolf is one of the rarest and most critically endangered subspecies of wolf in the world. The reintroduction effort in Arizona and New Mexico began in 1998. Since then, almost 100 captive-bred wolves have been released into the wild.
However, here in New Mexico, there remain less than 50 wolves in the wild today.
The Mexican-gray wolf, or Lobo, is the official mascot of the University of New Mexico, and the university needs to take a more public role in the support of this majestic animal.
UNM Wolf Recovery Resolution
September 2007
Founded in 1889, the University of New Mexico has long been associated with the Mexican gray 'Lobo' wolf (Canis lupus baileyi). The university adopted the animal as its mascot in 1920 in the midst of a federal extermination program of the native wolves of the southwestern United States. The Mexican gray wolf was eliminated from the U.S. by the early 1970's, with only small numbers remaining in remote Mexico when the subspecies was listed as federally endangered in 1976.
Whereas; The Mexican Wolf Recovery Plan, as mandated by the Endangered Species Act (1973) was adopted by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) in 1982 and the Blue Range Wolf Reintroduction Project (BRWRP) was initiated in January 1998, releasing wolves into the Gila region of New Mexico and the Blue Range area in eastern Arizona (USFWS 1982);
Whereas; In its environmental impact statement, USFWS predicted the population of wild Mexican wolves at 102 animals including 18 breeding pairs in the 9th year (2006) of the BRWRP (USFWS 1996);
Whereas; At the end of 2006, the USFWS reported only 59 wolves including 7 breeding pairs (Mexican Wolf Interagency Field Team 2007);
Whereas; The Mexican gray wolf remains imperiled due to conflict with a federally subsidized livestock industry, which allows livestock to graze upon the public land that constitutes 95% of the Blue Range Wolf Recovery Area (USFWS 1996);
Whereas; In the service of livestock growers, USFWS maintains a draconian predator-control program, entitled Standard Operating Procedure 13, that precludes progress of the BRWRP (Robinson 2005; USFWS 1996);
Whereas; The USFWS 1982 Mexican Wolf Recovery Plan fails to specify criteria that would constitute recovery (USFWS 1982);
Whereas; wolf populations promote the tourism and recreation industries by enhancing outdoor experience, in other regions of the country and the BRWRP offers an opportunity to unite Southwestern communities and institutions in support of shared natural and cultural heritage.
Therefore, be it resolved that we, the undersigned students, student organizations, staff, faculty, alumni, academic departments, and administration of the University of New Mexico call upon the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to institute a revision of the 1982 Mexican Wolf Recovery Plan to develop criteria for actual reintroduction, broaden recovery area, issue a moratorium on predator control until the 100-wolf goal of the BRWRP has been achieved.
Be it further resolved that we call upon the U.S. Forest Service and other land management agencies within the recovery area to revise policies in order to reduce conflict with industry interests and enforce grazing restrictions in wilderness areas.
Finally, we strongly urge the university administration to issue institutional policies and official resolutions reflecting the UNM community's support of sustainable populations of Mexican gray wolves and resolutely support the right of the Mexican gray wolf to exist and prosper in its former New Mexico and Arizona habitats.
Signed by:
[Your name]
[Your address]
