Monitoring

All Yellowstone wolf packs remain localized within their normal home ranges and 12 groups of pups are being raised.

Wolves in central Idaho were located and 23 of 29 wolves appeared to have paired. It appears that one litter has been abandoned and there are now six litters being raised and field crews are ground-checking this information.

Monitoring and trapping in NW Montana continues. Three wolves in the Murphy Lake pack were radio-collared and are being monitored. Two wolves from the Ninemile pack were radio-collared and released. Trapping will be begin at Thompson River and north of Whitefish this week.

Livestock Depredations & Management (control)

Control efforts on the Boulder wolf pack near Helena, Montana (NW Montana) continue to evolve. The plan is to try and remove at least one adult, preferably the adult male, and leave the 2 other adults to tend the 5 pups while efforts are made to capture them. The pups would be placed in a pen with two adults that are being held in Idaho. If depredations resume, control will become more aggressive. Several animal rights organizations were very upset about the control of the Boulder wolves and send out an alert. On Thursday the office was flooded with calls and faxes. Most of the concern was about the fate of the pups. Litigation was threatened and the control effort is being coordinated with Department attorneys.

Traps are being set by ADC to try and capture and radio-collar a wolf west of Augusta, MT. The rancher reported seeing an adult with at least 3 pups. Any further control will depend on what is learned or if there are other losses.

The modification of the special rule to clarify the Service's authority to manage suspected captive wolves and wolf hybrids is undergoing final review. It will be submitted for publication in the federal register, be publicized, and have public review this summer.

Research

The second research meeting by the Nez Perce tribe will occur in Moscow, ID September 3-5 and will focus on wolf/livestock and human dimensions of wolf restoration. Contact the Tribe for further information.

Information, Education & Law Enforcement

Efforts continue in Idaho to notify rancher in areas where wolves appear to be raising pups.

The weekly wolf report can now be viewed at the Service's Region 6 web site at www.r6.fws.gov/wolf.

Contact: Ed Bangs (406)449-5225 or Internet - ED_BANGS@FWS.GOV

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