Let Mexican Gray Wolf Asha Roam Free!

Mexican gray wolf

A lone Mexican gray wolf named Asha by schoolkids is peacefully roaming the wilds of northern New Mexico and breaking records for the recovery program's geographic extent!

Asha, the resilient female Mexican gray wolf, has once again captured our hearts and attention. With her latest journey into the wild expanse of northern New Mexico's Jemez Mountains, Asha defies the constraints imposed by humanity, following the ancient call of the wild that sings in her veins. But this brave lobo's quest for freedom is under threat, not only from the danger of mistaking her for a coyote but also from those who wish to confine her spirit to the Mexican Wolf Experimental Population Area (MWEPA).

We've come together before to speak for those who have no voice, and today, Asha needs us more than ever. The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and the US Fish and Wildlife Service have made her location known, not just as a protective measure against hunters, but also, potentially, to capture her. This is where we draw the line. It is essential we stand united to ensure Asha is not unjustly removed from the habitat her instincts have led her to.

Not All Who Wander are Lost

Wolves are explorers by nature who disperse long distances; they know no bounds. Through her impressive travels, Asha is showing us that there is good habitat north of Interstate 40, and this political boundary is neither biologically appropriate nor of any consequence to a dispersing wolf.

This isn't just about one wolf; it's about respecting the intrinsic behaviors of all wolves, ensuring their rightful place in ecosystems where their ancestors once roamed. The arbitrary boundary of I-40 must not dictate the fate of Asha or her kin. Our recovery strategies need to evolve, listening to the silent howls that beckon us towards a more inclusive future for the Mexican gray wolf.

Speak up for Asha and future wandering wolves!

Call on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish to let her be! Ask them to refrain from interfering with Asha's ability to lead the way for her subspecies in an area that has been identified as essential for wolf recovery. To let her continue on her journey also spares her the potential harm that recapture and translocation can bring.

Talking points:

You are excited to learn about Asha (f2754) and want to celebrate her incredible journey by welcoming her to an area she clearly wants to call home.
Wolves need freedom from politically-motivated boundaries limiting their recovery.
You strongly oppose any capture efforts to move Mexican gray wolves that travel north of Interstate 40. Wolves should be allowed to continue on their journeys without risking potential harm during recapture and translocation, and the agencies should focus on keeping an endangered wolf safe wherever they roam.
Urge for policy changes that respect wildlife autonomy and align with up-to-date scientific guidance for species conservation.

Please personalize your message. Nothing is as effective as speaking from the heart!

Recipients

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham
Director New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Michael Sloan
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

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Let Mexican Gray Wolf F2754 Roam Free

Dear [Decision Maker],

I am writing to you today as a concerned citizen and an advocate for wildlife conservation. I wish to bring to your attention the situation concerning Asha, a lone female Mexican gray wolf whose recent dispersal into the Jemez Mountains of northern New Mexico has highlighted a critical issue in wildlife management and species recovery efforts.

Asha's journey to the Jemez Mountains is a natural and necessary behavior for her species, seeking out new territories and potential mates. However, there is a looming threat that she will be captured and removed from this suitable habitat due to the current boundaries of the Mexican Wolf Experimental Population Area (MWEPA), which restrict her and her species' freedom to roam.

I'm counting on you to let her be and refrain from interfering with her ability to lead the way for her subspecies in an area that has been identified as important for wolf recovery. To let her continue on her journey also spares her the potential harm that recapture and translocation can bring.

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Wolves are explorers by nature who disperse long distances; they know no bounds, and through her impressive travels, Asha is showing us what she needs. Asha isn't the first wolf to demonstrate that there is good habitat north of Interstate 40, and she won't be the last one to prove that this political line is neither biologically appropriate nor of any consequence to a dispersing wolf.

Scientific research and conservation experts advocate for the expansion of Mexican wolf recovery efforts beyond the MWEPA, suggesting that at least three interconnected subpopulations are necessary for the species to truly recover and thrive. This includes areas in the southern Rocky Mountains, where Asha currently resides.

As one of your constituents, I implore you to consider the following actions:

- Engage with wildlife management agencies to encourage the development of policies that support the expansion of the Mexican gray wolf recovery area beyond the arbitrary confines of the MWEPA.

-Promote coexistence measures and education to prevent the misidentification of wolves as coyotes, ensuring the safety of wolves like Asha from hunters.

-Advocate for the use of non-invasive monitoring techniques to learn from wolves' natural dispersal patterns, rather than resorting to capturing them, which can result in harm or undue stress to these sentient beings.

-Support legislation that prioritizes the ecological and genetic diversity necessary for the Mexican gray wolf's recovery, respecting the intrinsic value and wild nature of this keystone species.

Asha's case is not isolated. It is indicative of the broader need for adaptive management strategies that align with the best available science and the natural behaviors of wildlife. I believe that we have the capacity and responsibility to coexist with these magnificent creatures and to allow them the freedom they require to contribute to the health and balance of our ecosystems.

With recovery as the ultimate goal for the Mexican gray wolf program, Asha's peaceful and independent passage northward is cause for celebration. She fills us with hope for the successful recovery of her imperiled subspecies.

Your work to protect and recover Mexican gray wolves is making a difference. I'm counting on you to continue advancing recovery with your support of Asha's peaceful and independent journey by letting her roam free.

Please stand with me, and countless others who value our natural heritage, in support of Asha and the future of the Mexican gray wolf.

Thank you for your time and consideration of this critical matter.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP]
[Your Email]