On December 6, a very one-sided Associated Press article ran in several newspapers in the Southwest and across the country. The article was rife with misleading information and quotes from opponents of wolf recovery.
Please help us counter the lies by submitting a letter to the editor of the papers that ran this article. With your help, we can use this as an opportunity to build the case for a new recovery plan to ensure Mexican wolves’ long term survival.
Talking points, a sample letter to the editor, and contact information for editors of southwest papers that ran this article are below. Additional letter writing tips and contact information for editors can also be found on our website at: http://www.mexicanwolves.org/index.php?page=letters-to-editors.
In writing your letter, please emphasize why Mexican wolves and their recovery are so important.
Your letter should open by referencing the article, i.e. “I’m writing in response to the 12/6/09 article in the Tribune,” and then go straight to your message.
BELOW ARE THREE SIMPLE TALKING POINTS TO EMPHASIZE:
* There are only 52 Mexican Gray Wolves left in the wild, making it the most endangered mammal in North America.
* The US Fish and Wildlife Service is operating under a flawed 28-year old recovery plan that does not include recovery criteria, does not incorporate modern science, and has done little to protect the Mexican Wolf.
* It’s time for a new, modern Recovery Plan that will bring Mexican Wolves back from the brink of extinction and restore a healthy wild wolf population.
HERE ARE SOME GENERAL SUPPORTIVE TALKING POINTS THAT CAN ALSO BE INCLUDED:
* Wolves are beautiful animals that belong in Nature.
* Wolves are a benefit to the West.
* Wildlife biologists believe that once they are fully restored, Mexican wolves will improve the overall health of southwest ecosystems – just as the return of gray wolves has resulted in numerous positive changes in Yellowstone National Park.
* Wolves have done what’s needed to survive in the wild: they have formed packs, had pups and successfully hunted native prey.
SAMPLE LETTER (This is intended to give an example only-please write your own letter in your own words)
Dear Editor,
I’m responding to the article about Mexican gray wolves published on December 6, 2009. According to the latest population count, there are only 52 Mexican wolves in the wild, making it the most endangered mammal in North America. This isn’t surprising when you consider the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is relying on a recovery plan developed 28 years ago that lacks modern science and simple recovery criteria.
Wolves have done what’s needed to survive in the wild. They’ve formed packs, had pups and successfully hunted native prey. But they need our help to get more than a toehold in the wilds of the Southwest. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service can help them by developing a modern recovery plan that uses the best available science and prioritizes wolf recovery.
Sincerely,
John Doe
EDITORIAL CONTACTS:
Las Cruces Sun-News letters@lcsun-news.com
Silver City Sun News hwise@scsun-news.com
Arizona Daily Sun http://news.azdailysun.com/opinion/letter_submit.cfm
Arizona Daily Star letters@azstarnet.com
Your letter of support for lobos will make a big difference to ensure their full recovery from the brink of extinction. Thank you for taking this important action today!
