Wolves expand their range

Despite the rather depressing fact that federal protections for gray wolves in the northern Rocky Mountains have been stripped away by a misguided (and illegal) federal regulation and that states like Wyoming have responded by dramatically increasing their wolf-killing programs, there continues to be signs of hope for one of North America’s most iconic and magnificent predators.  Last week, the Seattle Times reported on the growing evidence that one or more packs of gray wolves had successfully established itself in northern Washington’s Methow Valley.  And today, the Associated Press reports that what may be another gray wolf was photographed in Northern New Mexico.  Richly, the New Mexico wolf was spotted on the Vermejo Park Ranch, which is owned by Ted Turner (it’s hard to imagine a safer place for a wolf).

All of which just goes to show that wolves would do just fine if we would just get out of their way.