内容摘要：There are at least 286 Mexican wolves in Arizona and New Mexico, but federal officials acknowledged Thursday that they don’t know how many actually are on the landscape. They also say livestock kills are decreasing, with 100 confirmed in 2024. Ranchers argue that for every confirmed kill, there are likely five more where investigators don’t have enough evidence left to add them to the list or the animals are never found.

There are at least 286 Mexican wolves in Arizona and New Mexico, but federal officials acknowledged Thursday that they don’t know how many actually are on the landscape. They also say livestock kills are decreasing, with 100 confirmed in 2024. Ranchers argue that for every confirmed kill, there are likely five more where investigators don’t have enough evidence left to add them to the list or the animals are never found.

With doctors, Keener serves as a patient advocate. On a recent afternoon, Keener sat in on a prenatal appointment for Areana Coles. A single mom, Coles was joined by her 5-year-old daughter, who was born prematurely and spent time in intensive care.Coles, 25, said Healthy Start is “probably the best thing that’s happened in this pregnancy.” She called Keener “an angel.”

Together they navigated several recent medical concerns, including dehydration and low potassium levels that put Coles in the hospital.Areana Coles receives an ultrasound during a prenatal visit at the Oklahoma State University obstetrics and gynecology clinic in Tulsa, Okla. (AP Photo/Mary Conlon)Areana Coles receives an ultrasound during a prenatal visit at the Oklahoma State University obstetrics and gynecology clinic in Tulsa, Okla. (AP Photo/Mary Conlon)

With Coles’ due date approaching, Keener talked about what to watch for around delivery and shortly after, like blood clots and postpartum depression. She advised Coles to take care of herself and “give yourself credit for small things you do.”During an ultrasound a few minutes later, Coles watched Dr. Jacob Lenz point to her unborn baby’s eyes, mouth, hand and heart. He printed an image of the scan, which Coles immediately showed her daughter.

Keener said she’s gratified that Coles would not be giving birth prematurely this time.

“You made it to term – yay!” she told her client.Kirkpatrick pointed out that the family who died had walked for hours trying to find Shand, who had been sent by Patel.

“These defendants knew it was cold. In fact, they knew it was life-threatening cold,” she said. “They didn’t care. What they cared about was money, and their callous indifference to the value of human life cost a family of four their lives.”Patel’s attorney, Leinenweber, said his client will appeal but declined to speculate on what grounds.

“He had kind of resigned himself to the fact that the sentence would be longer than he had hoped,” the attorney said. “And he’s not happy with it. But he does wish to appeal and take advantage of his rights.”Shand’s attorney, federal defender Aaron Morrison, did not talk to reporters afterward.