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For Immediate Release
Mexican wolf trust fund could ease tensions in the Southwest
Fund will reimburse ranchers for livestock losses to wolves
Summary:
• The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) established the Mexican Wolf Livestock Interdiction Trust Fund to reimburse ranchers for livestock losses and to set up preventative measures to avoid wolf and livestock conflicts
• A local stakeholder council, selected by the FWS’ regional director, will guide the program
• Defenders of Wildlife urges FWS’ Southwest regional director Benjamin Tuggle to appoint a balanced committee to oversee the trust
ALBUQUERQUE, NM — Jamie Rappaport Clark, a former director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and executive vice president for Defenders of Wildlife, sees the Mexican Wolf Livestock Interdiction Trust Fund as an important opportunity for the Fish and Wildlife Service to reinvigorate the Mexican wolf recovery effort.
“This is great progress for Mexican wolf recovery, and we’re grateful that the Fish and Wildlife Service has stepped up its leadership to help restore Mexican wolves to the Southwest’s wildlands. The Mexican Wolf Livestock Interdiction Trust offers huge potential to ease the long-standing tensions between landowners and Mexican wolves that have stymied Mexican wolf recovery.
“Defenders of Wildlife has run similar programs in the Southwest and Northern Rockies for years, which have helped wolves succeed. We’re excited by this opportunity to lend our expertise to the Fish and Wildlife Service. A balanced group of stakeholders to oversee the trust fund will go a long way toward helping to build community investment in Mexican wolf recovery.”
Links:
Learn more about Defenders’ Proactive Carnivore Conservation Fund.
Learn more about Mexican wolf recovery.
Tags/Keywords:
Mexican+wolves Mexican+wolf Fish+Wildlife+Service Endangered+Species+Act Benjamin+Tuggle Jamie+Rappaport+Clark Defenders+Wildlife
Defenders of Wildlife is dedicated to the protection of all native animals and plants in their natural communities. With more than 1 million members and activists, Defenders of Wildlife is a leading advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard our wildlife heritage for generations to come. For more information, visit www.defenders.org.
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