Monitoring

All Yellowstone wolf packs remain localized within their normal home ranges and 11 groups of pups are being raised. Female 16 who was susopected of being hit by a car was located in Tom Miner Basin NW of the Park. Local ranchers were notified. Pups are travelling more widely with adults.

Aerial monitoring of wolves in Idaho has stopped because of funding shortages in Region 1. Region 1 and 6 have found enough funding to support the Tribes efforts to radio-collar a few additional wolves this fall.

The seasonal wolf crew in Montana continues to radio-collar wolves (PLEASE REPORT ALL SUSPECTED WOLF SIGHTINGS TO US ASAP!!!). A radio was placed on a 56 lb. pup in the Pleasant Valley pack. A new pack was documented in the Yaakarea and trapping has begun. Trapping will be conducted in Glacier National Park this fall. Nine wolves have been collared this summer. The Sawtooth male was seen with another gray wolf and it is suspected they are yearlings from the pack that was involved in livestock depredations.

Livestock Depredations & Management (control)

There have been no further depredations in the Boulder area since 2 of 3 adult members of the pack were killed. The 2 remaining pups in the Boulder area will be captured this fall and put in the central Idaho pen with their 2 siblings. All 4 will be released in December or January. Their mother will be killed when the pups are removed because of her history of attacking cattle. A 60-day notice of intent to sue was received by a lawyer representing the Friends of Animals.

ADC district supervisor Nelson investigiated a report of wounded calves near Cameron, MT. Three calves were bit in mid-August and all survived. One calf was more injured than the other two and Nelson reported that its bite mark certainly could have been caused by a wolf. No radioed wolves were known to be in the area but two Sawtooth yearlings have not been located in a month and had been within 25 miles of this location earlier this spring. The Park will scan the area on the next telemetry flight. No further problems have been reported.

There were several sheep reported attacked in Idaho and the control action is ongoing. IMPORTANT CORRECTION: THE GS-11 ADC WOLF JOB IN NEW MEXICO CLOSES SEPT 2,1997, not the 12th as earlier stated.

Research

Nothing new to report.

Information, Education & Law Enforcement

Fontiane gave a presentation to a school group in Butte. ADC Wolf Specialist Niemeyer gave a presentation at the ADC state supervisor meeting in San Diego, CA.

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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