Pause for a moment and savor this: The population of endangered Mexican gray wolves in Arizona and New Mexico grew from 75 to 83 last year. That’s nearly double the 2009 count.
It’s a victory for our shared national values, which are expressed in the Endangered Species Act.
OK. Enough savoring. Now, back to a reality.
Lobos remain perilously close to extinction’s cliff, and Arizona’s Legislature is poised to give them a shove over the edge.
The Senate Government and Environment Committee approved three measures this week aimed at wolf reintroduction like a bullet to the brain.
SB 1211 would allow the Arizona Department of Agriculture or ranchers to kill wolves suspected of eating beef without fear of federal prosecution — an amnesty from federal law that Arizona lacks the authority to grant.
SB 1212 appropriates $250,000 from the general fund “for litigation expenses.” That’ll come in handy.
A resolution, SCR 1006, calls for shifting management of this endangered species from federal to state control and focusing reintroduction efforts on the mountains of Mexico. Because, of course, Arizona can dictate to the governments of two nations.
These measures are championed by Republican Sen. Gail Griffin. All passed the committee on party-line votes.