February 4, 2005
January Status of the Mexican Grey Wolves
February 4, 2005 Mexican Gray Wolf Reintroduction Project
January 2005 Status Report Direct via e-mail.
This is a summary of Mexican wolf reintroduction project activities in Arizona and New Mexico. Additional information can be obtained by calling (928) 339-4329, or toll free at 1-888-459-WOLF, or by visiting the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s website at http://mexicanwolf.fws.gov.
Click to hear what the wolves have to say.
Past updates may also be viewed on this website or interested parties may sign up to receive the update electronically by visiting http://azgfd.gov. This update is public property and can be used for any purpose. The reintroduction project is a multi-agency, cooperative effort among the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Arizona Game and Fish Department (AGFD), New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF), USDA-APHIS Wildlife Services (USDA-WS), U.S. Forest Service (USFS), the White Mountain Apache Tribe (WMAT) on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation (FAIR), the San Carlos Apache Tribe (SCAT) on the San Carlos Apache Reservation (SCAR), and other supporting organizations including the Turner Endangered Species Fund (TESF) and Defenders of Wildlife (DOW).
Please report any wolf sightings or suspected livestock depredations to: (928) 339-4329 or toll free at 1-888-459-WOLF (9653). To report incidents of take or harassment of wolves, please call the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s 24-hour dispatch (Operation Game Thief) at 1-800-352-0700.
Numbering System: Mexican wolves are given an identification number recorded in an official studbook that tracks the history of all known Mexican wolves. Capital letters (M = Male, F = Female) preceding the number indicate adult animals 18 months or older. Lower case letters (m = male, f = female) indicate sub-adults, younger than 18 months, or pups. The capital letter “A” preceding the letter and number indicate alpha wolves.
Definitions: For the purpose of this update, a “wolf pack” is defined as two or more wolves, at least one having a radio collar, which maintain an established territory and are proven breeders. In the event that one of the two alpha wolves dies, the remaining wolf, regardless of pack size, retains the pack name. A “group” of wolves is defined as two or more wolves that travel together on a consistent basis, but are not proven breeders. The Interagency Field Team (IFT) recognizes that uncollared wolves may form a group or a pack. If they are confirmed through trapping, sightings, or other field methods, they will be included in the appropriate category.
CURRENT POPULATION STATUS
As of the end of January, the collared population consisted of 22 wolves in 10 packs, one group and three lone wolves. Based on other field data, including sightings, tracks and howling, there could be at least 25-30 additional wolves, including pups and uncollared wolves, distributed among the packs and groups. The current population estimate is 51-56 wolves in the wild.
In Arizona: Aspen Pack (AF667 and AM512), Bluestem Pack (AF521 and AM507), Cienega Pack (AF487), Hawks Nest Pack (AF486), Iris Pack (AM798), Rim Pack (AF858) and lone wolf M795. Hon-Dah Pack (AM578) and lone wolf F613 are located on the FAIR.
In New Mexico: Francisco Pack (AF511), Luna Pack (AF562 and AM583), Saddle Pack (AF797, and collared pups m860, f861, f862, m863 and m864) and San Mateo Group (AF903). M859 is a lone wolf.
Three wolves, Saddle Pack AM732, San Mateo Group AM796 and Francisco AM904, were previously fitted with GPS collars that were inadvertently programmed to self-release prematurely by the manufacturer. These wolves have been removed from the collared population, as they have not been observed since October 22, December 7 and December 22 respectively.
All wolf-sighting reports are recorded and evaluated. Sightings should be reported immediately, so the IFT can can be most responsive in follow-up.
MONITORING
Personnel have ceased trapping to capture uncollared wolves for the winter, but field efforts continue to focus on monitoring wolf activity, as well as on confirming other uncollared wolves that may exist in the wild.
In Arizona: IFT personnel discontinued efforts to capture the Aspen Pack alpha pair in the Blue River corridor eight days after the capture of f872, due to heavy snowfall, flooding and subsequent inability to access traps. Also, at about this time, the Aspen pair changed their behavior and movement patterns, and appears to have relocated outside the Blue River corridor for the time being. Their two movements into the corridor, on January 5 when the pair was seen on a road near a residence and on January 22 when the pair passed through the corridor, have not resulted in a resumption of nuisance behaviors. The few locations by the pair in the Blue River corridor have not established any discernible patterns of use that would allow for an effective resumption of trapping in this area. If the Aspen pair return to the Blue River corridor and resume a pattern of nuisance behavior, trapping will be immediately reinitiated.
On January 19, IFT personnel assisted WMAT personnel in soft-releasing F613 near Hon-Dah Pack AM578. AM578’s mate was found dead last year, apparently from a gunshot wound. The intent is to facilitate a pair bond between these two wolves prior to this year’s breeding season.
On January 25, WS personnel captured m871 on a grazing allotment in Greenlee County. This wolf was released as a pup in July with the Aspen Pack, and slipped its radio collar soon after release. On January 26, Aspen Pack f873 was also captured on the same allotment. The two wolves were involved in three depredations this month. (See “Incidents” below for more information.) Both wolves are being held at the Sevilleta Wolf Management Facility in New Mexico, and will be evaluated for future translocation.
Recent tracks in snow, found on January 4, indicate five members traveling together in the Cienega Pack.
A telemetry flight on January 7 observed M795 traveling alone east of the Black River.
During a telemetry flight January 31, project personnel again observed Rim Pack AF858 traveling with three uncollared wolves, and observed one uncollared wolf traveling with Iris Pack AM798.
Hawks Nest AM619 has not been located since October 4, despite follow-up aerial and ground efforts to determine its whereabouts. It is now classified as “Fate Unknown.”
The Bluestem Pack, Cienega Pack alpha female, Hawks Nest Pack, Iris Pack male, Rim Pack female and M795 remained in their traditional home ranges in the Apache National Forest, as did the Hon-Dah Pack alpha male on the FAIR.
In New Mexico: Project personnel located lone wolf M859 in the northeast portion of the Gila National Forest (GNF) for part of the month, but it was recently located approximately 30 miles south of its last location, near the Ladder Ranch Wolf Management Facility in NM.
Pup f862 has rejoined the Saddle Pack, and remains within the GNF. However, m860 was not located during the January 14 or 28 aerial telemetry flights, and f861 was not located on the January 28 flight.
The Francisco Pack and Luna Pack remained in their traditional home ranges in the GNF, and the San Mateo group remained in the Cibola National Forest.
Observation reports of wolves from the public are important as many of the wolves are currently dispersing. Please call the toll free number listed above to report wolf sighting as soon as possible after the sightings. Thank you for your help.
INCIDENTS
On January 14, WS personnel investigated a dead cow that M859 was observed feeding on, along side a coyote. WS determined that the cow died while calving about two weeks prior to M859 feeding on it, when M859 was not in the area. The ranch owner and manager were notified.
On January 17, WS received a report from a rancher in Greenlee County that two cows were found severely injured near the location of f873. One cow is being treated for its injuries and may survive, but the other, due to extensive injuries, was destroyed. Two days later, the rancher found the remains of a calf. WS personnel determined that wolves were involved, and began trapping efforts. Hazing activities were not an option as the allotment is too large. WS captured both wolves, Aspen Pack f873 and m871. Project personnel transported them to the Sevilleta Wolf Management Facility, where they will be evaluated for future translocation.
CAPTIVE MANAGEMENT
On January 19, five wolves at the Sevilleta Wolf Management Facility were given annual exams. All pairs were separated for the breeding season, except pair M729 and F799. One wolf was taken to the Ladder Ranch facility to be housed for the breeding season.
F613, removed from the wild in August 2003 for nuisance behavior, was captured January 18 at the Sevilleta facility. It was given a physical exam, fitted with a radio collar and placed into a mesh pen on the FAIR.
On January 20, two wolves were captured at the Ladder Ranch facility and given annual exams.
The IFT planned on hard-releasing f872, captured near the Blue River on December 22, to an area near M795 in late January. The intent was to form a pair bond between these two wolves, and to minimize the chance of f872 moving back to the Blue River area. However, when administering a physical exam on January 19, project personnel discovered that it had a puncture-type injury under its collar. The IFT decided to delay the translocation a few weeks until the injury heals.
COMMUNICATION AND COORDINATION
The Mexican Wolf Adaptive Management Oversight Committee conducted four open houses for the public to discuss the Five-Year Review and the draft Standard Operating Procedures of the Blue Range Wolf Reintroduction Project. The open houses were held January 26 in Truth or Consequences, NM; January 27 in Glenwood, NM; January 28 in Alpine, AZ; and January 29 in Phoenix, AZ. The meetings provided an opportunity for the public to discuss the Project’s Five-Year Review, history, current status, future goals, and the draft standard operating procedures with program biologists and subject matter experts. The Five-Year Review presents an opportunity for the public to comment on the project, and how it is being managed. This document, comprised of a Technical Component, an Administrative Component and a Socioeconomic Component, is available for public review and input at the USFWS website http://mexicanwolf.fws.gov or at the AGFD website at http://azgfd.gov. Comments from the public must be submitted by U.S. Postal mail to the USFWS by March 15, 2005.
PROJECT PERSONNEL
Shawn Farry, hired this past fall as an AGFD Technician, accepted the AGFD Field Team Leader position.
REWARDS OFFERED
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is offering a reward of up to $10,000 and the Arizona Game and Fish Department Operation Game Thief is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the conviction of the individual or individuals responsible for the shooting deaths of Mexican gray wolves. An additional $35,000 is being offered by a variety of public interest groups for a total amount of up to $46,000, depending on the information provided.
Individuals with information they believe may be helpful are urged to call one of the following agencies: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service special agents in Mesa, AZ, at (480) 967-7900, Springerville, AZ, at (928) 333-5245, or Albuquerque, NM, at (505) 346-7828; the White Mountain Apache Tribe at (928) 338-1023 or (928) 338-4385; Arizona Game and Fish Department Operation Game Thief at 1-800-352-0700; or New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Operation Game Thief at 1-800-432-4263.
Killing a Mexican gray wolf is a violation of the federal Endangered Species Act, and can invoke criminal penalties of up to $50,000 and not more than one year in jail and/or a civil penalty of up to $25,000.