P.O.

Box 233
Flagstaff, AZ 86002
(928) 202-1325
gcwolfrecovery.org

Testimony from the Grand Canyon Wolf Recovery Project to

Senator Risko
In Support of Increasing Aid Towards the Mexican Gray Wolf
Submitted by Nickolas Bartel, Communications Director with
The Grand Canyon Wolf Recovery Project
November 7, 2019
Senator Risko, thank you for inviting me to speak today. My name is Nickolas Bartel
representing The Grand Canyon Wolf Recovery Project on behalf of 2,500 supporters including
scientists, citizens, and conservationists. I am here to ask for your help to bring back these
wolves to restore the ecological health in the Grand Canyon region.
The fact of the matter is this, these wolves are one of the most endangered species in North
America. If we do not work together to help them now, then there will be drastic environmental
repercussions.
However, if we can work together to prevent their extinction, we will see environmental and
economic benefits.
Simply put we are looking at total ecological collapse of the region. That being as the Mexican
Gray Wolf is known as a keystone species as they impact nearly all elements of their surrounding
ecosystem.
If this aid is not provided, the wolf population will continue to drop to eventual extinction.
With these predators extinct, their prey, who were otherwise restricted by these wolves, will
quickly erupt in number. In this region, we are anticipating an unchecked boom of deer and elk.
This does one of two things to these populations.
First, with more deer in each area, it increases the herd size, increasing the chances of a disease
breaking out killing many of them. The death of these deer and elk will hurt tourism and hunting
revenue in the region.
Secondly, it increases herbivores’ demand on food sources. Now deer and elk typically feed
alongside bodies of water as they can find both food and water easily. So, if wolf aid is not
provided, when this overgrazing happens, we will have increased erosion and decreased shade on
that body of water.
The decreased shade increases the water temperature which harms fish as warming water
decreases the dissolved oxygen levels. So, no wolves mean the ecosystem can support less fish.
This decreases revenue from fishing licenses and overall tourism.
The environmental impacts of the extinction of wolves could turn into days of testimony on each
species they impact and how a scenario in which wolves are extinct will harm them.
 P.O. Box 233
Flagstaff, AZ 86002
(928) 202-1325
gcwolfrecovery.org

The organizations represented here today have a few core issues. First, should we expand
protected territorial lands of these wolves to match what they need to survive? Well, yes. I would
say so, given that their current territory is too small leading to their extinction and extinction
leads to a total ecosystem failure and severely hurts the local economy.
Second, should we place wolves in the Grand Canyon Area? Yes. Once again, we need to try to
make sure that this species thrives as the alternative is too catastrophic for consideration. Now
the general population supports this idea.
When it was considered in Colorado, a 2019 bipartisan poll found that 2 in 3 of the general
population and 3 in 5 ranchers supported the re-introduction of these wolves. The survey also
found that people were 45% more likely to vote for their Senator in an upcoming election if that
Senator voted to help the wolves.
Now, it is clear why people want it. It makes a lot of regional money. According to a study done
by the State University in New York found that this adds $3.2 to $3.8 million into the state’s
economy from ecotourism and supporting local jobs in addition to decreasing wolf predation on
livestock.
Senator Risko, your choice boils down to two options. To aid or to not aid. Providing aid to
wolves helping the economy and helping the environment and has public support. While not
providing aid and hurting the economy, environment, and the people.