Representative Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ) applauded President Donald Trump's recent executive order to review the status of Mexican gray wolves (Canis lupus baileyi) in a recent statement.
The Context
On Friday, President Trump issued an executive order to bolster America's ranchers. A key provision of this order directs the Secretary of the Interior to review the status of the Mexican gray wolf for downlisting or delisting it from the Endangered Species Act, then issue legislative recommendations so states and ranchers can better combat livestock predation by the animals.
What Ciscomani is Saying
"For years, ranchers across rural Arizona have dealt with the consequences of a federal wolf reintroduction program without adequate relief," said Rep. Ciscomani in a press release. "Their livelihoods are directly threatened by an animal the federal government put back into their communities, and it's long past time this policy got a serious, honest review. Government bureaucracy cannot stand between ranchers and their way of life."
Rep. Ciscomani emphasized his role in introducing the Wolf and Livestock Fairness (WOLF) Act last April, saying that the effort is "to ensure ranchers are fully compensated for livestock killed or harmed by these wolves."
Previous Calls for Delisting
Ciscomani is not the only Arizona official to have called for the Mexican gray wolf's delisting, as State Representative Gail Griffin (R-19) similarly highlighted the toll Arizona ranchers are saddled with thanks to the lupine menace last June, saying, "the Mexican wolf is a vicious predator that threatens our rural industries and way of life, stalking our livestock, children, and pets."
Similarly, Representative Paul Gosar (R-AZ) introduced a bill delisting the animal from the Endangered Species list last July, saying, "Since being reintroduced to the wild in Arizona, Mexican wolves have preyed on cattle, livestock, and even family pets, causing significant financial losses and economic hardship on family-run ranches."
