Public Comment Period open until March 27, 2014
This January the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) published the scientific peer review of their proposed rule to remove gray wolf protections nation-wide. The scientists were unanimous that USFWS has not used the best available science. But the good news is that even the flawed rule proposes recognition and separate protection for the Mexican gray wolf (Canis lupus baileyi).
Even better news is that both USFWS and the scientists agree our lobos are a distinct sub-species of the gray wolf.
Mexican gray wolves (lobos) are at the brink of extinction. Only 83 were found in the wild at the end of 2013.
THESE BEAUTIFUL, ESSENTIAL WOLVES CAN'T WAIT WHILE THE USFWS FIGURES OUT WHAT TO DO WITH GRAY WOLVES AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL: USFWS can and must "decouple" the lobos from the other gray wolves and expedite a separate listing of the Mexican gray wolf subspecies as endangered.
You can help by telling USFWS that lobos can't wait: Before 11:59p.m. ET, March 27, 2014 submit a comment on the national delisting rule for gray wolves and tell the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that you:
(1) oppose delisting gray wolves and taking away their protections under the Endangered Species Act;
(2) support listing Mexican gray wolves as a separate endangered subspecies; and
(3) urge USFWS to list lobos immediately without waiting to see what happens with the agency's nationwide treatment of the gray wolf.
Online:
- Go to www.regulations.gov
- Search for and Find Docket No. FWS-HQ-ES-2013-0073
- Type your comments in and submit (If your comments will not fit in the comment box, attach them as a word file)
Hard copy: Public Comments Processing, Attn: FWS-HQ-ES-2013-0073
Division of Policy and Directives Management
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
4401 N. Fairfax Drive, MS 2042-PDM
Arlington, VA 22203
Be respectful and avoid name calling. The message to protect wolves will be best received when delivered respectfully and with a focus on evidence and science.
USFWS's decision on the proposed national delisting rule does not just affect gray wolves in the lower 48; it can also push Mexican wolves closer to extinction or – with your help - finally help them thrive.
Please ACT TODAY – MARCH 27th IS COMING SOON! Comment today, and ask others to do the same.
You can also help by contacting New Mexico Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich.
If you live in New Mexico, please call them and ask them to act for New Mexico's native lobos. Ask them to use their influence to get USFWS to 1) maintain protections for gray wolves, and 2) list Mexican gray wolves as a separate endangered subspecies immediately without waiting to see what happens with the agency's nationwide treatment of the gray wolf.
Senator Tom Udall: Albuquerque: (505) 346-6791
(505) 346-6791, Washington DC: (202) 224-6621(202) 224-6621
Senator Martin Heinrich: Albuquerque: (505) 346-6601(505) 346-6601, Washington DC: (202) 224-5521(202) 224-5521
Not in New Mexico? You can find contact information for your members of Congress here: http://www.contactingthecongress.org/
Thank you for giving these special wolves a voice in their future.
Learn more at: www.mexicanwolves.org