Information on gray wolf locations is disseminated in this format
weekly, and includes the most recent location of wolves in the
Idaho. Gray wolves are referenced as B-XX-Y. The B identifies
the wolf as a central Idaho animal, numbers identify individuals
and the Y (M or F) indicates male or female.
Summary
Wolf locations for this report were obtained from flights between 12 and 28 March, 1998.
All wolves being monitored via radio-telemetry remain within the experimental area, most
on national forest land. Twenty-three radio collared wolves being monitored are paired or
packmates. Six of 8 Idaho wolf packs produced pups in 1997. Five additional wolf pairs
have established home ranges in Idaho and may produce pups in 1998. Three of these wolf
pairs include wolves that either were not part of the translocated experimental population,
or are wolves with failed radios.
North of the Salmon River
Up to ten radio-collared wolves remain north of the Salmon River. Two wolf packs and 2-3
wolf pairs occur in this area. One litter of 5 pups were produced this year north of the
Salmon River.
Bitterroot National Forest
Project personnel and cooperators from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the WERC
released the female wolf pup held at the Hornocker Institute facility in the Selway-Bitterroot
Wilderness on 20 March. She remained around the enclosure for about 8 days before she
started traveling. She was last located on 28 March about 5 miles from the enclosure heading
west up the Selway River. Unfortunately, her male sibling died from injuries sustained by
an immobilizing dart that missed its mark, passed between two ribs, and penetrated the right
lung. It was an unfortunate accident and a sobering moment for all who worked so hard to
provide a second lease on life for these two young wolves.
Clearwater National Forest (and Lolo National Forest, Montana)
The Kelly Creek pack including wolf B-15-F was located in Cache Creek, tributary to the upper
Fish Creek drainage on the Lolo National Forest in Montana.
B-20-F and B-31-M were located together on Jungle point, just south of Cedars Campground in
the upper North Fork of the Clearwater drainage.
Wolf B-11-F and Wolf B-07-M were located just south and west of Lolo Hot Springs on the Lolo
National Forest in Montana.
Nez Perce National Forest
The Selway pack wolves including adults B-5-M and B-10-F and their yearling pups were
located in the Bargamin Creek drainage.
Wolf B-33-M was located in the Anderson Butte area at the head of Horse Creek, east of Elk
City.
South of the Salmon River
Up to 23 radio-collared wolves remain south of the Salmon River. Nine wolf
pairs occur in this area including five pairs that have produced 25-27 wolf pups this year;
two of these pairs also produced pups in 1996.
Payette National Forest
The Chamberlain Basin pack including adults wolf B-16-F, Wolf B-9-M, and pups were located
in the McCalla Creek drainage in Chamberlain Basin.
Wolf B-22-F and her associate were located in the Monumental Creek Drainage.
Boise National Forest
Wolves B-30-F, B-28-M and wolf B-19-M were located at the head of Sulphur Creek.
Landmark pack wolves B-06-F, Wolf B-08-M, and pups were located at the head of Elk Meadow in
Bear Valley.
Salmon-Challis National Forest
The Jureano Mountain wolf pack including wolves B-25-F and B-32-M were located up Pine Creek,
a tributary to the main Salmon River, just east from the mouth of Panther Creek.
We did not locate wolf B-24-M.
The Moyer Basin pack including wolves B-29-M and B-37-F and their pups were located in the
Camas Creek drainage near the mouth of Yellowjacket Creek.
Wolf B-35-F and Wolf B-18-M were located in the Warm Spring Creek drainage at the confluence
of Mahoney Creek.
Sawtooth National Forest
Wolf B-23-F and Wolf B-27-M and pups were located on a ridge above the main Salmon River at
the confluence of the Yankee Fork. One pup collar is on mortality in the Sawtooth Mountains.
This pup either slipped her collar, or is dead.
Wolf B-36-F was located along the East Fork of the Salmon River near the confluence of
Bowery Creek.