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Cochise County adopts resolution opposing current Mexican gray wolf reintroduction implementation
Summary
After more than an hour of public comment sharply divided between ranchers and wildlife advocates, the Cochise County Board of Supervisors adopted Resolution 25‑21 expressing opposition to the current implementation of the Mexican gray wolf reintroduction program and calling for reforms; vote was 3‑0.
The Cochise County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday adopted Resolution 25‑21, expressing opposition to the current implementation of the Mexican gray wolf reintroduction program and calling for reforms, after a lengthy public hearing and debate. The motion passed 3‑0.
The resolution — which the board moved up on the agenda because of a large audience — drew both strong support and strong opposition from residents, ranchers and wildlife advocates. Supporters urged tolerance and science‑based management; opponents said the program as currently implemented imposes economic harm and was rolled out without adequate local coordination or compensation.
"This county is not Yellowstone National Park," James Schmidt, a retired USDA wildlife specialist who said he has worked predator control for decades, told the board. "Cochise County is a county of hardworking people and it is not a national park. I commend you all for taking a strong stance on the wolf by supporting the very citizens that elected you." He added later, "I believe strongly there should never be wolves in Cochise County."
By contrast, attendees including Dr. Letris Neals, who said she has worked internationally on human‑carnivore coexistence, urged supervisors to reject the resolution. "Wolves are economically worth their weight in gold and ecologically priceless," she said, adding that ranchers in other dry regions coexist with large carnivores by adapting husbandry practices. A school‑age speaker, Aurelia Nils, described growing up tracking wildlife along the San Pedro River and urged the board: "Please do everything you can to protect our amazing Mexican gray wolves. Please reject this resolution."
Several speakers urged the board to postpone action and gather more scientific data and cross‑border coordination. Opponents said the reintroduction was implemented without adequate prey analyses and without sufficient compensation for livestock losses; proponents argued coexistence measures and science‑based policy should guide decisions.
During discussion the board cited a mix of concerns: Supervisor comments noted the need for effective border collaboration with Mexican authorities, questions about whether local habitats have sufficient natural prey for wolves to avoid livestock depredation, and frustration among ranchers who said compensation and implementation have been inadequate.
The resolution text, as adopted, expresses opposition to the current implementation of the reintroduction program and calls for reforms, including improved data collection, compensation mechanisms and local coordination; it also includes provisions supporting local ranch patrol efforts and requests for additional information from federal and state partners. The motion passed with all three supervisors voting in favor.
The board returned to the regular agenda after the vote; the resolution will be posted in the meeting record and the board indicated it expects further follow‑up and requests to federal and state wildlife agencies.
Votes at a glance: Resolution 25‑21 — adopt; outcome: approved; vote: 3 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain.
