Arizona Daily Sun (Original) Posted August 25, 2013 by April Smith
To the editor:
Thank you for publishing Kim Crumbo's column "Wolves Deserve Wider Range." This cogent, science-based editorial is a stable and, refreshingly, researched voice in support of the restoration of wolf populations to their ancestral habitats.
As a taxpayer, I am saddened by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service efforts to "halt" wolf migration at I-40 and I-10. USFWS is in essence using tax dollars to further the silly assertion that wolves (legendary wanderers) will be restricted by roadways; in ignorance of their own Mexican Wolf Science Team recommendations; and equally disturbingly, "outing" the concept that roadway engineering is valued in USFWS culture over science-based reality.
Wolves must be allowed access into southern Utah and Colorado to recover their critical role in the full circle of ecosystem management. Their recovery will effect preservation of antelope populations, control coyote depredation and enhance fox population survival.
As Kim Crumbo writes, two guiding propositions must be adopted; the first: the direct release of Mexican gray wolves, a gray wolf subspecies, into the Blue Range Wolf Recovery area — including restraining local armed vigilante action.
The second guiding principle for adoption: The Blue Range Recovery area must connect to the Grand Canyon, initiating species-driven creation of wildlife migration corridors into portions of southern Utah and Colorado.
We must take our role of western wildlife stewardship seriously. Sound decisions as described above are the beginning of a true "Western ethos" of respect for wildlife and ourselves.
April Smith
Flagstaff
