Middle Fork Wolves spared... for now

Today's Albuquerque Journal had a story titled: Mexican Gray Wolves To Be Spared, Despite Cow Deaths. Since the ABQ is subscription only, here are a few free bits for ya'll:

In a decision issued Thursday, Brian Millsap, deputy regional director for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, said the Middle Fork Pack, which includes four pups, would remain in the wild until at least Nov. 1, although the pack's alpha wolves have killed at least seven cattle in the last two months.

Yay for reason! Yay for wolves! Yay for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (and you know how rarely we've said that in recent years)!

Oh, wait.... what's this about November 1st? And whose cows are these anyway?

The cows are owned by Mexican businessman Eloy Vallina, who operates the Adobe and Slash ranches, which stretch over hundreds of thousands of acres. Vallina runs other cattle operations in Chihuahua, Mexico, and owns thousands of acres on the west side of Ciudad Juarez.

Poor, poor struggling cowboy, just trying to make a living. Ya right!*

You may remember the Adobe-Slash Ranch from the tragic baiting incident of fall 2007.

And if you feel bad about the 7 cows, here's a tiny violin for you: The Adobe-Slash Ranch is the site of the livestock-caused removal of at least four packs of Mexican wolves: the Pipestem, Saddle, Aspen, and Durango.

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*We strongly recommend a review of the link. Very informative about the traditional values and custom and culture of the western livestock industry.