A Mexican grey wolf
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By Hannah Grover
Catron County Commissioners called for a special meeting where it may declare a state of emergency in the county due to alleged threats from Mexican wolves.
The special meeting will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in the Catron County Courtroom located at 100 Main St. in Reserve.
“Catron County is experiencing a high volume of sightings and livestock depredations. Mexican wolves have been seen sporadically near schools and developed areas, and pets have been snatched from front yards in residential areas,” the county stated in a press release.
But wildlife advocates say the county’s claims are unsubstantiated and officials fail to provide any data or details supporting its claims. The advocacy groups say there are no documented incidents of Mexican wolves attacking humans. Additionally, they say U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service data indicates the number of livestock killed by wolves has decreased in part due to proactive measures taken to reduce conflict.
“The number of depredations year-to-year are actually down despite a growing population of Mexican gray wolves. Our trail crews have spent months of time in the wilderness areas of the county over the last two years with known packs nearby as well as signs of their presence. Never once were myself or a member of our trail crew in danger from a wolf despite hearing them routinely at some sites.” Nico Lorenzen, conservation and wildlife associate for Wild Arizona, said in a press release. “Top carnivores like the Mexican grey wolf are critical for healthy forests and ecosystem function and their recovery should be supported.”
Greta Anderson, the deputy director of Western Watersheds Project, said people who encounter wolves should stand tall, make loud noises and back away.
One of the ways officials are working with livestock producers to decrease conflict include installing electric fences with red flagging around livestock holding. Officials are also contracting with ranger riders who use radio telemetry equipment to assist ranchers in monitoring where the wolves are and how close they are to cattle herds.
There are also programs set up to provide feed to ranchers who choose to keep their livestock in pens during calving season.
Ranchers can move livestock between different pastures within their grazing allotments to avoid areas where wolves are more likely to occur, including areas near wolf dens.
Another tool officials are using to try to reduce depredation is setting out road-killed deer carcasses or other native prey carcasses during denning season. These road-killed animals provide a diversionary food cache for the wolves and reduce the chance the predators will go after cattle or other livestock.
While the data referenced by wildlife advocates shows a decrease in livestock killed, the county claims efforts the federal wildlife damage management agency, Wildlife Services, has implemented, such as hazing wolves — using lights, noise and non-lethal munitions to scare off the predators — and moving wolves away from residential areas and livestock haven’t been effective.
“Range riders and other non-lethal means to chase wolves away have had no visible effect,” the county states in its press release. “These wolves show little fear of humans.”
The county’s meeting comes about a month after wildlife officials released information from its annual wolf count showing that the population has increased for the 9th consecutive year.
Not all Catron County residents are on board with the commission’s messaging.
“When we choose to live in a wild, rural place like Catron County, we’re choosing to coexist with all the other creatures who were here before us, including apex predators like wolves, bears, and cougars,” Bob Moore, a Catron County resident, said in a press release. “It is incumbent upon us, as the residents who live here, to take appropriate measures to avoid conflict. The county should be doing more to educate and encourage non-lethal deterrence. The wild creatures are what make Catron County special. It’s our responsibility to do everything we can to coexist peacefully.”
Chris Smith, the wildlife program director for WildEarth Guardians, criticized the county commission and said it is focusing on wolves rather than addressing key issues facing the agricultural community including water scarcity and climate change.
He noted that the area has experienced low snowpack this year and will likely see high risks of wildfire. Additionally, Smith said the federal agencies that are supposed to assist rural communities are being “defunded and dismantled.”
“County commissioners are creating a distraction and a scapegoat,” he said in a press release.
The special meeting agenda also includes consideration of an emergency ordinance requiring people who are planning to burn — such as agricultural burns — to notify the county manager 12 hours in advance.
Anderson said Catron County has a history of declaring emergencies about wolves, dating back to 2006 when only a couple dozen wolves roamed the region.
“This isn’t just about wolves,” she said in a press release. “It’s about Catron County wanting to control the public land and wildlife habitat in this part of New Mexico.”
Livestock owners who suspect a Mexican wolf may have killed their animal can call 888-459-9653 and request an investigation by Wildlife Services.
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