Posted at: 06/19/2009 8:05 PM
By: The Associated Press
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Endangered wolf allowed to stay in wild
Mexican gray wolf (file photo)ALBUQUERQUE - Federal wildlife managers have decided to allow an endangered Mexican gray wolf that has been linked to four livestock killings to remain in the wild.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regional director Benjamin Tuggle made the decision Friday regarding the alpha male of the San Mateo pack.
Despite a rule that allows the agency to remove a wolf from the wild after three depredation incidents in one year, officials said removal of the male could be detrimental to any potential gains in the species' population in New Mexico and Arizona.
Officials said the wolf is raising four pups with the help of the pack's alpha female.
The Center for Biological Diversity, which has been critical of the wolf reintroduction program, called Tuggle's decision "good news."
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
