NM county declares wolf emergency

WLJ Apr. 11, 2025 1 minute read 20 comments

NM county declares wolf emergency — Wolves continue to cause livestock depredations in the state of Washington.
Photo by Paul Cross

The Catron County Board of County Commissioners in New Mexico has declared an emergency declaration for the injury and damage caused by Mexican gray wolves.

At an April 3 meeting, the commission unanimously voted to pass the declaration.

“Not only has the wolf caused devastation to our pets and livestock industry, but it has also changed the very way that families and people are living their everyday lives,” Chairman Buster Green said in a news release.

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20 Comments

Ann Carroll
April 15, 2025
It's about time. All counties with this overabundance of these killers needs to do the same.
Reply to Ann Carroll
Geoffrey Sage
April 15, 2025
How much damage? Killed how many? Injured how many. Facts please.
Reply to Geoffrey Sage
richard a lawson
April 15, 2025
Western farmers are America's first welfare recipients: free land stolen from native Americans. I support continued support of farmers receiving restitution for all live stock and pets killed but I want a stable wolf population to remain on public lands throughout the west...this public land belongs to everyone.
Reply to richard a lawson
1. Dale Parker
  April 19, 2025
  You are entitled to your opinions but not entitled to fabricate information. It is obvious that you are product of modern academia which is truly a welfare recipient. It is becoming more common to see such comments as yours which stem from an ignorance born of easy living and entiltlement. You have obviously never tried to make a living on any of that "free land" by farming or ranching. Pathetic.
  Reply to Dale Parker
2. Pepper White
  April 27, 2025
  The problem is you can't make them stay on Public Lands
  Reply to Pepper White
Joe Maddry
April 15, 2025
Those wolves were not part of the ecosystem there until misguided humans thought wolves belonged everywhere. I support banning them.
Reply to Joe Maddry
Barbara Flores
April 15, 2025
This is a bunch of crap. This is not what wolves do. With mammals (mostly cattle) raised by humans for human consumption making up 62% of the biomass of mammals on earth and only 4% is all other mammals, except humans, who make up 34%, so what is a few cows are killed by predators? Most deaths are caused by birthing problems and weather, followed closely by injury and illness. Only 1% - 4% of deaths are actually predator related. Stop sounding like a German fairytale and get the facts straight.
Reply to Barbara Flores
1. Lookinghard
  April 18, 2025
  You're about as stupid as they get
  Reply to Lookinghard
2. Pepper White
  April 27, 2025
  No German Fairy Tale evey wolf lover needs to have a hundred thousand dollar bond to cover predation.... a 3yr old 1st calf heifer is right at 3000 dollars she will have 10 calves in her lifetime ( if not killed by a wolf) so times that by 10 the half those calves that would have been heifers just keep multiplying Your 100,000 bond won't last long ( just put your money where your mouth is!
  Reply to Pepper White
Kyle
April 15, 2025
The population has to be kept under control. Set up a wolf hunt.
Reply to Kyle
Steve wood
April 16, 2025
It should have happened awhile back. You need to go to the courts and get this fixed now. I have friends who raise cattle there and lose up to five to six cow calves per year. Top that with the danger to the children and pets in that area.
Reply to Steve wood
Rodger Savory
April 16, 2025
Having supported the reintroduction since attending UNM in the 90s I will say reintroduction without management and behavior modification is not going to work. Both people and wolves have to adjust and find balance. People by tending the herds and flocks from sunrise to sunset and then penning. Wolves by being aware humans will hunt them so stay hidden.
Reply to Rodger Savory
Jan Sansone
April 16, 2025
Wolf advocates have no idea how dangerous this is. Not just to ranchers but eventually to citizens and families. Wolf reintroduction won’t fly - they will become acclimated to cities like coyotes.
Reply to Jan Sansone
Blankenbaker Dave
April 16, 2025
Dah, what did you think was going to happen
Reply to Blankenbaker Dave
Susan Khan
April 17, 2025
Let’s see what can be done to coexist without killing the wolves. Let’s not just rush to killing!
Reply to Susan Khan
Tanto
April 17, 2025
The ranchers can shoot the wolves if they are actively attacking livestock I think they are making a big deal over nothing the ranchers in the area are lazy and don't want to tend to the cattle the world is not supposed to be a safe place
Reply to Tanto
Rickey
April 17, 2025
Put them in a zoo!
Reply to Rickey
Lois Ceci!
April 17, 2025
I want to hear more on the subject!
Reply to Lois Ceci!
Jen
April 18, 2025
It’s a disgrace to America that anyone believe the bureaucratic bs regarding wolves causing this much destruction. There have been known cases in other states of ranchers killing their livestock themselves and claiming wolves did it, knowing the price the federal government pays them is way higher than the initial cost of the animal killed. Wolves are vital to keeping prey under control and are shy animals. They don’t seek humans. Educate yourselves.
Reply to Jen
Tom
April 23, 2025
I agree with both sides. Both sides have their point at the same time. They need to be regulated. I've heard by biologist in the field that there are almost 300 wolls in New Mexico alone.
Reply to Tom