HikeArizona.COM

This is unbelievable. Gave me goosebumps, and a big smile. I couldn't figure out how to put a link just to the MP3 file, so I will give you a link to the G&F Dept. page. Just scroll down and you'll see it listed under "Learn More."

http://www.azgfd.gov/w_c/es/wolf_reintroduction.shtml

I cannot believe that worked!

I like the idea of a Jaguar reintroduction, myself.

I agree with most here the i think the wolves should stay and hope no one trys to start killing them. A couple years ago though i believe that they were talking about reintroducing bears by Escudilla. They said that the climate and vegetation should suit them well but just to many people around, to many problems, and not enough money.

Charkelleyaz18, what do you mean by START killing them? A number of wolves have been shot, and a few have even disappeared.

I agree with James.

It would be much easier to reintroduce politicians to integrity than to reintroduce grizzlies to the southwest.

James I know that the forest service will shoot dangerous or livestock killing wolves but I mean just people killing them because they dont like them or some crazy rednecks.

chumley wrote:I agree with James.

It would be much easier to reintroduce politicians to integrity than to reintroduce grizzlies to the southwest.

I'd support reintroducing Grizzlies to the House and Senate floors, I bet they'd find enough pork in those policians to keep them healthy!

charkellyaz18 wrote:James I know that the forest service will shoot dangerous or livestock killing wolves but I mean just people killing them because they dont like them or some crazy rednecks.

That has happened too.

Oh, heck, yeah, that has happened. Kid from our high school got sent up for that, in fact.

charkellyaz18 wrote:James I know that the forest service will shoot dangerous or livestock killing wolves but I mean just people killing them because they dont like them or some crazy rednecks.

A number of wolves have been shot under "mysterious" circumstances. It is surmised that the "shoot, shovel, and shut up" situation has happened to a # of wolves just as it occasionally happens to grizzlies in the Northern Rockies.

From the Sierra Club Grand Canyon chapter website:
<<The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the conviction of those responsible for the shooting deaths of three of these wolves last fall. The agency is also continuing to investigate the illegal killing of four other wolves. Killing a Mexican gray wolf is a violation of the Federal Endangered Species Act and Arizona law. Anyone with information that might be helpful in this matter should contact U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service special agents in Mesa, AZ at (480) 835-8289 or Pinetop at (928) 367-5689; the White Mountain Apache Tribe at (928) 338-1023 or (928) 338-4385; or Arizona Game and Fish Operation Game Thief at 1-800-352-0700.>>

There is some good news, however:
<<Recently, the White Mountain Apache Tribe decided to allow up to six Mexican gray wolf packs on the 1.5 million acres of reservation land.>>
Both quotes are from the same article, and its date of publication is unknown to me.

I also read on mexicanwolves.org that the alpha female and alpha male of the Middle Fork pack had one leg apiece amputated after at least one of them was caught in a leghold trap (I consider trapping to be an abomination, but that's just my opinion). Allegedly they're doing fine as canids can do quite well with 3 legs.
My fraternity in college had a 3-legged pit bull/chow mix (not a good mix, BTW) that used to terrorize the pledges. I'll never forget eating Sunday dinner @ the house one instance, and Ubu put her snout right between my legs and growled. Needless to say that was a terrifying experience as that stupid dog was rightly known to be quite dangerous. She could run like the dickens when she wanted.

JamesLyding wrote:Recently, the White Mountain Apache Tribe decided to allow up to six Mexican gray wolf packs on the 1.5 million acres of reservation land.

I really want to laugh at this ... as if they fence the reservation and have official border crossings for wildlife? What would have kept the wolves in the White Mtns from deciding to live west of the reservation boundary before this recent tribal approval?
Do federal endangered species laws apply on reservations? (I know that the Arizona state laws do not).

The tribes are a mixed bag. For example, I've heard that the WMAT don't allow ATVs to overrun the place. That's a good thing... Not sure whether they try to enforce the Endangered Species Act, but since it is federal law, I think they are supposed to abide by it.

Before, if wolves wandered onto the reservation, they would have to be relocated back off to the NF. It basically allows now for the wolves to roam on the reservation without being shuffled around.

All this talk of killing wolves is funny, since two of the biggest reasons I would want to backpack into the Gila Wilderness are to hear or see wolves, and to see some "virgin" ponderosa pine that has had recent fire history.