NEW MEXICO TRAPPERS Comments TO THE USFW on Removing the Gray Wolf as an endangered species

December 17, 2013

 FWS–HQ–ES–2013–0073

Public Comments Processing

Division of Policy and Directives Management
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
4401 N Fairfax Drive, MS 2042–PDM
Arlington, VA 22203

 Subject: Comments on Removing the Gray Wolf (Canis lupus) from the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Maintaining Protections for the Mexican Wolf (Canis lupus baileyi) by listing it as Endangered. 

 

Docket#FWS-HQ-ES-2013-0073

 

On behalf of the New Mexico Trappers Association (NMTA) and its membership, we submit the following comments on the proposals by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to (1) remove the gray wolf from the list of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and (2) maintain protections for the Mexican gray wolf by uplisting it as an endangered subspecies.  New Mexico trappers will be directly impacted by these proposed changes as they have been through a frivolous  lawsuit in the past.  Furthermore, proposed restrictions on trapping are unwarranted and unjustifiable. 
 
NMTA is in full support of delisting the gray wolf because gray wolf recovery have exceeded their recovery goals and states have the unique ability to manage this species best. After numerous court battles and arguments over the science, this species has proven a listing is no longer warranted. The ESA for this species, worked.

NMTA is not in favor of elevating the status of the Mexican wolf  beyond that of a non-essential experimental population. It is our belief that science shows a lack of genetic diversity, these wolves cannot be recovered without severe interaction by man and that this species is just not capable of recovery in the wild. The Service tells us that the primary purpose of the Mexican wolf captive breeding program is to supply wolves for reestablishing Mexican wolves into the wild. It is strange that such a program would continue knowing that when these captive bred wolves are released, they are doomed; they have not been able to reestablish themselves in the wild after years of trying and millions of taxpayer dollars being spent .  In addition, the proposal provides no compelling evidence that the suggested changes will somehow  now enable the wolves to become reestablished.  The Service should not be making taxonomic changes at this time.  

Sincerely:

Thomas D. McDowell, Ph.D.

President New Mexico Trappers Association Inc.