Wolves and Wilderness

Summary

Catalyze a federal planning process that supports wolf reintroduction and recovery in the Gila Bioregion of New Mexico and Arizona, while concurrently making the region more habitable for wolves.

What is the issue, problem, or challenge?

The Mexican Gray wolf recovery program in south New Mexico and Arizona is in desperate need of new and creative energy. As of May 2009, eleven years after wolves were first introduced to the Gila and Apache National Forests, there are only 52 wolves (goal is over 100) and two breeding pairs. As a result, eleven years after its celebrated reintroduction, the lobo is potentially facing the ignominious distinction of becoming extinct in the wild for the second time.

How will this project solve this problem?

Publish a vision document for the Greater Gila Bioregion Organize and outreach in support of expanding the Gila Wilderness Work with the NM and AZ congressional delegations to introduce a wilderness bill that protects wolves Litigate where necessary

Potential Long Term Impact

Reworking of the current wolf recovery plan to ensure the reintroduction is successful; 2.2 million acres of public lands in wolf habitat no longer hosting livestock and protected for wildeness; 1000 wolf guardians across the country.

Project Message

When we find Mexican wolves in the wild, we felt deep gratitude that these beautiful animals, persecuted by our own kind until they nearly vanished from the earth, are home again.
- Jean Ossorio, Wolf Advocate

Additional Documentation

This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).

Resources