Several wolves of the Pitchfork Canyon Pack and the Sheepherders Baseball Park (SBP) Pack have been identified of preying on livestock.  These packs are living in very good habitat for wolves on public lands in the Gila National Forest. Multiple packs make this area their home, roaming through the mountains and canyons.  The livestock are required to be removed from the area this month (October 2020), normal operating procedure for this area, regardless of wolf activity. However there are groups demanding that these wolves that have been killing the livestock should remain and not be lethally removed.
Their claim is that the removal of these 2 wolves would ‘disrupt’ the family pack and cause harm to the health of the pups in the pack.  However wolf pups are independant and able to fend for themselves in 6 months. Which as they are typically born in April, they will not be impacted in any way by the removal of 2 cattle killing adults. These groups claim that there are “Longer term, there are other proactive, non-lethal solutions that can keep these wolves safe.” There may be, but to what expense, time and trouble to the ranchers??
They also claim that “These wolves should not be disturbed when the movement of the livestock will prevent any further conflicts” Maybe this year in this area… Seemingly they forget that the cattle will return to graze next spring and these two wolves will train other wolves to hunt the cattle.
Notice in their article how they personify the wolves:
It has come to our attention that members of the Pitchfork Canyon Pack and the Sheepherders Baseball Park (SBP) Pack have been accused of preying on livestock and may face the loss of their freedom and the disruption of their families. Two of New Mexico’s wolf families are at risk, and they need your help to stay in the wild. Save Selene! Exonerate Estrella! Protect the Packs!
They frequently use the words families, freedoms, keep wolves safe.  WOLVES ARE NOT PEOPLE.
They are urging their followers to demand that “USFWS and the US Forest Service (USFS) should be supporting such best practices for reducing wolf-livestock conflict.” Their idea of best practices is to elimate livestock..
WE need to also make comments to USFWS and the US Forest Service (USFS) to protect the LIVESTOCK and RANCHERS and their LIVELIHOOD from these misguided, animal RIGHTS activists.  Email mexicanwolfcomments@fws.gov today and stress to keep emotions out of decision making. Wolves are not people or citizens and they are capable of taking care of themselves. Protections are already in place for these animals.