Mexican wolves caught in traps in New Mexico; enviros call on legislature to ban trapping

The death of a Mexican gray wolf and injuries to another prompted environmentalists on Tuesday to call on New Mexico lawmakers to ban trapping on public land. Defenders of Wildlife said four wolves have been caught in traps in New Mexico over the last two months. The wolf that died was a female member of the Prieto Pack that roams northern portions of the Gila National Forest. Another member of the pack that was also trapped remains in captivity after having its leg amputated. The two other wolves that were caught were released into the wild. More than 40 wolves have been caught in traps in the Southwest since 2002, according to the group. "This is having a significant impact on the recovery of the species. Every wolf lost to trapping is unnecessary and unacceptable," Bryan Bird, the group's Southwest program director, said. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service did not immediately return a message seeking comment. The wolf management team this week is conducting an annual survey to determine how many of the predators are roaming parts of New Mexico and Arizona...MORE