Mexican Gray Wolf Bill Sparks Biting Debate
Environmentalists, Ranchers At Odds
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Re-introducing the Mexican gray wolf back into New Mexico and Arizona has ranchers fearing for their livestock and environmentalists fearing for the wolves’ survival. But a new proposed bill, which goes before the House Agriculture Committee Tuesday, is taking take that fear to a new level. The proposed bill could impose jail time and fines on state fish and wildlife officials if a reintroduced wolf attacks or kills humans, livestock or pets.
“The fear mongering that this bill represents is not that of the majority,” said environmentalist Michael Robinson. “This threat, as ridiculous as it is, really needs to be stopped as soon as possible.” Robinson, who says a lot of people care very deeply about the wolf, calls the bill the “Little Red Riding Hood Act of 2003.” But to ranchers like Louis Oliver, who have lost livestock, the Mexican gray is nothing more than the big bad wolf.
“They are releasing a dangerous animal on the state, an animal we fought for 50 years to get rid of and they’re bringing him back,” Oliver said. “He has no business
here. Little children aren’t safe playing in the yard.”
Oliver says the new bill is exactly what ranchers need on their side, despite the consequences.