#MexicanWolf News release: Catron County: NM GAME COMMISSION WOLF DECISION ONLY A START

CATRON COUNTY COMMISSION

PO BOX 507

RESERVE NM  87830

Contact:  Glyn Griffin, Commissioner                                          FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Phone 575.533.6423

Email: ccmanager@gilanet.com

NM GAME COMMISSION WOLF DECISION A START

The Mexican wolf program will still hurt Catron County

RESERVE, N.M.  The New Mexico State Game Commission decision to withdraw their involvement in the Mexican Wolf Reintroduction Program in New Mexico provides a measure of relief for beleaguered Catron County, in the heart of the Mexican wolf reintroduction area - but it is only a beginning for the changes needed.

“Much of the Game Commission’s decision was based on the hardships endured in this county,” said Glyn Griffin, District 2 Commissioner for Catron County.  Our biggest industry, logging, has been taken away by the spotted owl.  Our next two biggest industries, ranching and hunting, are being destroyed by the Mexican wolf.”

The NM Game Commission’s decision will not actually end the Mexican wolf program in New Mexico. 

“The program will of still go on,” Griffin said.  “But we’ll only be dealing with the US Fish and Wildlife Service now.”

Catron County’s Wolf Incident Investigator Jess Carey has collected data on wolf incidents involving human beings as well as animals, such as pets and livestock, for several years on behalf of the county. 

“The trauma to our families and children over the past years since the beginning of the program is well documented now,” Carey said.  “Studies have been done on the psychological impact of wolves hanging around homes and killing dogs, cats and horses, sometimes right in front of children’s eyes.”  Carey has documented Mexican wolf kills and attacks on pets as well as livestock.

“Catron County will no longer tolerate our children being considered collateral damage for achieving Mexican Wolf Recovery objectives,” Carey said. 

“The continued loss of livestock is not sustainable for our ranchers,” Griffin said.  “Pro-wolf people will argue that ranchers are compensated, but few ranchers apply for it because there has always been endless delays and rejections.  Even when a rancher is compensated, the fact is that the compensation only covers only a percentage of actual losses, and the compensation doesn’t cover lost profits.  No one can stay in business with a continual major cut in profits, and ranchers have a right to make a profit in their business just like anyone else.”

“I thanked Governor Susana Martinez for her recognition of the issues and her support of Catron County’s position,” Griffin said.  “It might not have been the popular thing for her to do but it was the right thing to do.”

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