Happy Rebirthday Wild Lobos!

Ten years ago yesterday was the day that Mexican wolves were first released in Arizona. Ten years later, very few breeding pairs exist (three, to be exact) and very few wild wolves are surviving. But, hey, there are 52 wolves in the southwest, which is 52 more than there might have been if not for the protections and provisions of the Endangered Species Act and the conservationists who have held the Fish and Wildlife Services' feet to the fire.

The Washington Post just got this piece up about it. The usual whining rancher can be found talking about how she can't sleep at night for fear of wolves, but the Washington Post did a good job sussing out the statistics:

"I'd really like to see them gone," said Barbara Marks, who chairs the Arizona Cattle Growers' Association's wildlife committee and operates a cattle ranch with her husband that includes 225 acres of private property and 71,775 acres of public land."In the middle of the night you wake up in a cold sweat when you hear your dogs barking, wondering if somethings wrong."

Guess you should just kind of suck it up, Ms. Marks. The majority of Americans, who collectively own those public lands you pillage at a profit, want to save endangered species. When you wake up in the night and worry that something is wrong, think about this: It might be you.

Ah-ooooohhhh!