Monitoring

Packs in the Yellowstone, central Idaho, and NW Montana areas appear to be primarily in their normal home ranges. There are 6 wild dens in Yellowstone and 2 of those (Rose and Druid) are believed to have two litters. A lone female is suspected to have denned north of the Park on National Forest lands. The wolves, including this year's pups, in the Nez Perce pen are scheduled for release some time around June 22. The investigation of the death of the alpha pair of the Landmark pack is ongoing. Reports from the area shortly after the pairs' death indicated other wolves were still in the area. The most recent flights indicate there are likely 7-8 packs that have established dens in central Idaho. Wolves in at least 6 packs in northwestern Montana are using their traditional areas and field crews have begun trapping. A female wolf was collared in Glacier National Park on the 30th.

Control

Three calves were apparently attacked by wolves in the Ninemile Valley and one will likely die. One wolf will be lethally taken to see if that stops the pattern of depredations that seems to have developed there this summer. Hopefully once deer start fawning the depredations will stop.

The Washakie wolf pack (female and 5 yearlings) had localized their movements on the Diamond G Ranch but left on the 29th and have yet to be located. Cattle were released from the fenced pasture on the 20th, and are amongst the grizzly bears and wolves feeding on new-born elk calves on the ranch. A volunteer pilot and biologist from Jackson are locating the wolves from the air 3 times a week, the rancher is locating them daily, and a Service crew went on site to see if any pups could have been produced this year. No pups were produced.

Research

Nothing new to report.

I & E

The Summer 1998 issue of International Wolf has an article by Bangs on wolves of Mongolia. Seasonal employees Colleen O. and Kris H. have been giving programs to several school groups in the Kalispell area. Seasonal employees with the Service, Wildlife Services, and Tribe attended a workshop on wolf handling and trapping in Winchester, Idaho the week of May 20.

Bangs gave a brown presentation to Washington DC staff on the 19th.

!!JOBS!! Attempts to hire 2 permanent field wolf (GS 11/9) biologists and station them in Wyoming and to hire 2 four-year term biologists (GS 9/7) in Helena, Montana are being accelerated! If you or someone you know may be interested in these positions, simply send your name and address and you will be notified once the jobs open. Job advertisement will likely occur in early July.

The weekly wolf report can now be viewed at the Service's Region 6 web site at http://www.r6.fws.gov/wolf Contact: Ed Bangs (406)449-5225 or Internet-ED_BANGS@FWS.GOV

Home | Organization | Wolves | Library | Trips & Events | Ralph | Donations | Site Map | Guestbook | Email



Site owned by ©1998-2002 Wolf Recovery Foundation.
Site Design and Graphics by ©1997-2002 Wolff Den Design™ All Rights Reserved.
No part of this site or any material within this site may be
used without the expressed written permission from the author.