March 21, 2005
Mexican Grey Wolf Reintroduction Status-Feb 05
This is a summary of Mexican Wolf Reintroduction Project activities in Arizona and New Mexico for February 2005, taken from the 9 March 05 Endangered Species Update, direct via e-mail.
Click to hear what the wolves have to say.
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 web site at http://mexicanwolf.fws.gov. Past updates may also be viewed on this web site 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 February, 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, as many as 25-30 additional wolves are distributed among the packs and groups.
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.
Observation reports of wolves from the public are important, and should be reported immediately as many of the wolves are currently dispersing. All wolf-sighting reports are recorded and evaluated. Please call the toll free number listed above to report a wolf sighting as soon as possible after the sighting. Thank you for your help.
MONITORING
Field efforts focused on monitoring wolf activity, as well as on confirming other uncollared wolves that may exist in the wild. The IFT began daily telemetry flights this month to investigate Mexican wolf predation behavior during winter months. Any carcass located from the air was investigated on the ground to determine if wolves were responsible for the kill, and to document the species, sex, age and condition. During February, the IFT conducted 20 winter-study telemetry flights. Eight additional flights had to be cancelled due to bad weather. The winter study is scheduled to extend into mid-March.
In Arizona: Daily telemetry flights in February, as well as ground tracking, confirmed the Aspen alpha pair using areas typically greater than two miles from the main Blue River corridor. While project personnel documented several crossings from one side of the Blue River to the other, all crossings appeared to be quick and without incident. No nuisance or problem behavior was observed or reported. Therefore, IFT personnel did not attempt to trap for the Aspen Pack during February.
Correction from January's Update: On January 5, in addition to the Aspen pair passing through the Blue River corridor, a resident reported the pair briefly interacting with two dogs through a chain-link fence. Due to darkness, the resident was unable to see the animals, however, telemetry signals and tracks in fresh snow indicated both AM512 and AF667 had approached the fence, and were involved in the interaction. In response to the close proximity of the Aspen Pack, the resident fired two cracker shells. Telemetry signals indicated the pair then moved off and did not return. The resident reported that, upon examination, there was no sign of injury on either of the dogs.
On a February 1 telemetry flight, project personnel documented three wolves with the Bluestem Pack.
Project personnel located Cienega Pack AF487 several miles north and northeast of its traditional home range on a few occasions in February, but it also made movements back south to its traditional use area. Project personnel observed this wolf traveling alone during the February 15 telemetry flight and on February 25.
On February 10, during a telemetry flight, Hawks Nest AF486 was observed on an elk kill with an unknown wolf. AF486 and an uncollared wolf were seen together again on February 15 and February 25. On February 24, project personnel located AF486 and the unknown wolf on an elk calf kill. The IFT suspects that the uncollared wolf with AF486 may be AM619, however, this cannot be confirmed.
On the February 1 telemetry flight, project personnel observed Iris Pack AM798 with an uncollared wolf. On February 21, AM798 was seen mating with an uncollared wolf. During the same telemetry flight, one of the Iris pair wolves was seen walking with a limp, which has been documented at various times over the past several months. On February 10, project personnel observed another wolf with this pack stalking a cow elk. On February 13, AM798 was seen feeding on a cow elk along a heavily used road. While it is likely the elk died as a result of a vehicle collision, it could not be confirmed. On February 25, project personnel observed AM798 and an uncollared wolf rapidly pursuing a coyote. After a significant distance, the chase was abandoned. Interestingly, while no limp could be observed during the chase, the wolf that abandoned the chase first began limping upon slowing to a walk. On February 26, AM798 and an uncollared wolf were again seen on a fresh elk carcass.
Rim Pack AF858 also made movements a few miles north of its typical home range, but returned to its traditional use area a few days later. On February 14, a wolf, possibly AF858, was observed in close proximity to several elk.
On February 13, F613 was located alone on the FAIR near human developments. It had been released singly in January near the Hon-Dah pack in hopes it would replace the pack's alpha female that had been killed. Through the end of February, despite hazing activities, F613 continued to utilize areas near human developments. Such behavior exposes F613 to increased risk of mortality or injury, as well as increasing the chance of interaction with people and dogs. Therefore, the IFT initiated attempts to capture F613. As of the end of February, F613 remained in the wild. The WMAT is developing ongoing management options.
The Bluestem Pack, Hawks Nest alpha female, Iris Pack male, Hon-Dah Pack alpha male and lone wolf M795 remained in their traditional home ranges on either the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests or on the FAIR.
In New Mexico: For most of February, lone wolf m859 remained near the Ladder Ranch Wolf Management Facility, located in New Mexico on the eastern edge of the Blue Range Wolf Recover Area.
The Saddle Pack remained within the Gila National Forest. However, m860 was not located during the February 2 or 14 telemetry flights.
The Francisco Pack and Luna Pack remained in their home ranges within the Gila National Forest, and the San Mateo group remained in its home range in the Cibola National Forest.
INCIDENTS
WS personnel is following up on reports of a suspected uncollared wolf in the Mud Springs area of Arizona after a local resident reported hearing howling in the same general area where large tracks were observed. Additional ground surveys are being conducted in the area, and the permittee has been made aware of the reports.
On February 15, WS and IFT personnel investigated a report by a local permittee of a dead cow in a remote area where the Aspen Pack had been located for several days. The investigation determined that the cow fell from a 50-foot cliff, resulting in a broken back, as well as multiple, large blunt trauma injuries. Significant portions of the cow remained, allowing investigators to look for wounds consistent with wolf depredation activity. However, they found no evidence to indicate wolf involvement prior to post-mortem feeding. They also investigated the possibility that the wolves may have chased the cow off the cliff without making contact. Tracks above the cliff clearly indicated the cow was meandering along a steep, muddy slope prior to falling. In addition, no wolf tracks could be located atop the cliff, and no indication of a chase was apparent from the tracks. While it is possible that the Aspen Pack may have been involved, no evidence could be found to confirm or deny this scenario.
On February 27, WS personnel investigated a dead cow near Vernon that the Iris Pack was seen feeding on. The cow, which had been dead several weeks, was heavily scavenged, and only a skeleton remained. The cause of death was unable to be determined. Daily telemetry flights indicated that the Iris pack had not previously been present near this location during February.
On February 28, the IFT received a report of an interaction with a canid near St. Johns, Arizona. While riding horseback, a 14-year-old boy was attacked by what he described as a wolf-like animal. The boy was uninjured, and although bitten on the front leg, the horse's injuries were minor. No wolves were known to be in the area at the time of the incident. WS personnel are conducting an investigation.