Mexican Wolf Reintroduction Project Monthly Update. US Fish and Wildlife Service.
April 1 – 30, 2005

This is a summary of Mexican wolf reintroduction project activities in Arizona on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest (ASNF) and New Mexico on the Gila National Forest (GNF). 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 website 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 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 April, the collared population consisted of 24 wolves, in 11 packs, and five lone wolves. Based on other field data, including sightings, tracks and howling, as many as 25-30 additional uncollared wolves are distributed among the packs and groups.

In Arizona: Aspen Pack (AF667), Bluestem Pack (AF521 and AM507), Cienega Pack (AF487), Hawks Nest Pack (AF486), Iris Pack (AM798), Rim Pack (AF858), and lone wolves M795, f872, and f873. Hon-Dah Pack (AM578) and lone wolf F613 are located on the FAIR.

In New Mexico: Francisco Pack (AF511 and collared pup m919), Luna Pack (AF562 and AM583), Ring Pack (AF799 and AM729), Saddle Pack (AF797, and collared pups f861, f862, m863, m864), and lone wolf M859.

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.

SEASONAL NEWS

Mexican wolf pups are generally born mid-April to mid-May. As such, the IFT has been actively monitoring to determine if females are denning in order to document wild born pups.

NEW TRANSLOCATIONS

On April 12, AF799 and AM729 were captured at the Sevilleta Wolf Management Facility for translocation the next day into the Gila Wilderness where they were placed into a mesh pen. The pair, named the Ring Pack, self-released within an hour and a half from their electrified mesh pen. The female, released pregnant, is likely to whelp pups soon.

On April 29, yearling’s f872 and f873, former pups of the Aspen Pack, were captured at the Ladder Ranch Wolf Management Facility and translocated into the west-central portion of the Blue Range Wolf Recovery Area on the ASNF in Arizona using a hard release method.


MANAGEMENT

The Adaptive Management Oversight Committee (AMOC) has been discussing the need and justification for a temporary one-year moratorium from July 1, 2005 to June 30, 2006 on new releases and translocations of Mexican wolves in the Blue Range Wolf Recovery Area. This is in response to concerns conveyed at two public meetings held in February 2005 in New Mexico sponsored by Congressman Pearce (R-NM). The proposed moratorium would allow time for AMOC to: 1) complete the 5-Year Review, 2) evaluate the effectiveness of the recently developed Standard Operating Procedures for the Reintroduction Project, 3) assess more clearly the total number of wolves (collared and uncollared) in the wild, 4) focus on outreach to further local awareness and understanding of the adaptive management frame work for the Project, and 5) further evaluate the apparent greater success in translocations of experienced wolves versus initial releases of naive animals.

MONITORING

Field efforts continue to focus on monitoring wolf activity as well as on confirming other uncollared wolves in the wild.

In Arizona:

The Bluestem Pack made movements onto the SCAR on several occasions this month while also utilizing portions of the ASNF and the FAIR. On April 20, in response to the Bluestem Pack using areas on the SCAR, IFT hazed the pack with cracker shells to move them off of the SCAR before AF521 whelped. By April 21, the pack had moved north onto the FAIR after which the alpha pair briefly separated. By the end of the month, the Bluestem Pack’s movements had localized on the ASNF.

Cienega Pack AF487 traveled back to its traditional home range area in the central portion of the recovery area in Arizona. The Cienega alpha female apparently continues to travel alone with large movements outside of its traditional home range and a sighting on April 23 by itself.

On the April 15 flight, one wolf was observed with the Hawks Nest Pack, however the IFT estimates the pack size as two adults.

On the April 19 flight, three wolves were observed with the Rim Pack, which is consistent with Rim Pack estimates thus far in 2005.

Lone wolf M795 made significant movements this month moving from the central portion of the FAIR to the northern part of the ASNF before returning south to the boundary of SCAR. On April 25, M795 was observed alone.

On the April 2 flight, project personnel observed two wolves with the Hon-Dah Pack and two wolves with the Iris Pack. Current estimates for the Hon-Dah and Iris Pack’s are three and two wolves, respectively.

F613 has remained in the southern portion of FAIR. On a flight in the beginning of the month, lone wolf M795 was located just a few miles away from F613; however, IFT personnel were not able to document them together

The Aspen, Bluestem, Cienega, Hawks Nest, Iris, Rim, and Hon-Dah Pack wolves were located in their traditional home ranges on either the ASNF or the FAIR.

In New Mexico:

On April 22, two wolves were observed with the Luna Pack on a possible kill. The following day, personnel searched for, but were unable to locate a carcass.

The newly released Ring Pack initially separated after release, with the female traveling over 20 miles in four days back to the same area of the GNF where the pair had been trapped in late March and early April 2004. The pair reunited and remains together in this area.

On the April 3 flight, project personnel observed six wolves with the Saddle Pack, one with a limp. On the April 25 flight, at least six animals were again observed with the Saddle Pack. Male pup, 860, released with five radio-collared Saddle Pack members in August 2004, has not been located since January 2005 despite search efforts. This wolf is now designated “status unknown.”

Lone wolf M859 continues to travel widely within the GNF and briefly moved to within a few miles of the Saddle Pack. During the last week in April, this wolf was located outside the recovery area boundary on private land near a cow carcass that, according to the rancher, had died of natural causes. The following day, project personnel successfully hazed M859 from the area after which it returned to the secondary recovery zone.

The Francisco Pack, Luna Pack, Saddle Pack were located in their traditional home ranges within the GNF.


INCIDENTS

On April 2, Wildlife Services trapped AF903 of the San Mateo group in the Cibola National Forest. At the time of its capture, AF903 appeared to be in the late stages of pregnancy. Upon transport to the Sevilleta Wolf Management Facility in NM, AF903 was reunited with its mate, AM796, who had previously been captured on March 30. Shortly after arriving at Sevilleta, AF903 gave birth to four pups. The San Mateo group was removed because they had established a home range outside the Blue Range Wolf Recovery Area.

On April 3, a Blue resident reported being awoken by two howls near his home. He fired a cracker shell, after which he observed a wolf-like animal running from the area of their dog kennel. He fired a second cracker shell, and the animal was not seen again. Project personnel responded later that day and picked up radio signals of Cienega AF487 considerably north of the residence. No signals were heard from the Aspen Pack. The area around the home was searched, but the hardness of the ground and abundance of dog tracks made confirmation of any wolf sign impossible.

On April 4, the IFT received a report from a resident on the Blue that their dog had been injured and a calf was observed limping. IFT personnel immediately responded. Upon arrival, the IFT located the Aspen Pack AM512 and AF667 in the area. Hazing of the pair was initialed and no additional incidents were documented. Wildlife Services investigated the incident the following day and determined the dog and a calf wounds to be confirmed wolves injuries. The dog had a puncture wound to its hindquarters that required first aid; however, the calf wounds on a rear leg did not require medical attention. In response to this incident, trapping efforts were initiated on April 6 to remove the Aspen Pack from the area.

On April 9, IFT personnel trapped AM512 of the Aspen Pack. The wolf was placed in a chain-link kennel and left on-site along a frequently used travel corridor. The goal was to use AM512 to attract its mate AF667 to quickly facilitate its capture. However, on April 13, after AF667 failed to return to the area, AM512 was transported to the Sevilleta Wolf Management Facility. The IFT located the den site so trapping for AF667 was initiated on April 30. Once the female is caught, project personnel will remove the pups from the den, taking the female and the pups to the Sevilleta Wolf Management Facility in NM where they will be reunited with Aspen AM512.

On April 30, Wildlife Services investigated cow carcass that a permittee observed near the Francisco Pack. The investigation determined that wolves had killed the cow and the IFT began hazing the Francisco Pack from the area.

CAPTIVE MANAGEMENT

Nothing new to report.

COMMUNICATION AND COORDINATION

On April 4, 6, 8, Maggie Dwire presented educational programs at the Ladder Ranch Wolf Facility in NM to approximately 50 high school students from the Hatch Valley school district.

On April 22, the Adaptive Management Work Group (AMWG) met at the Apache Gold Casino and Resort on the SCAR to discuss Standard Operating Procedures, future translocations, and to discuss recent court decisions.

On April 26, Shawn Farry gave a wolf update and presentation to 20 Arizona Game and Fish Department Wildlife Managers and employees at the annual hunt patrol meeting at held at the Department’s Sipe White Mountain Wildlife Area.

On April 26, Shawna Nelson and Dan Groebner gave six presentations at the Big Springs Environmental Area in Pinetop to approximately 200 kindergartners from the Blue Ridge School District as part of a field trip on wolves and other woodland animals.

On April 28, Shawna Nelson and Dan Groebner gave numerous presentations to 180 second grade students at the Show Low Historical Museum from the Blue Ridge School District for a Heritage Fair Day on the history of wolves and wildlife in Arizona.

On April 30, Dan Groebner worked an information booth and radio-tracking competition in Show Low at the Scout-O-Rama. Project updates were provided and the Scouts competed to track and plot a radio-collar location using a map, compass, and telemetry equipment. Approximately 65 people were contacted during this event.

PROJECT PERSONNEL

On April 4, Laura Kelly began her position as an AGFD technician. Laura had previously been working as a USFWS volunteer for the wolf project.

On April 23, Colby Gardner began her position as an AGFD technician. Colby had previously volunteered intermittently for the project since October 2002.

The AGFD is currently fully staffed on the Wolf Project with a Field Team Leader, Biologist, Outreach Administrator, and two Field Technicians. New Mexico Department of Game and Fish recently received approval to hire a Field Team Leader, in addition to the existing Biologist. The USFS is also considering a proposal to assign a Forest Service employee to the IFT as a liaison with local Districts.

REWARDS OFFERED

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is offering a reward of up to $10,000 and the Arizona Game and Fish Department Operation Game Thief is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the conviction of the individual or individuals responsible for the shooting deaths of Mexican gray wolves. An additional $35,000 is being offered by a variety of public interest groups for a total amount of up to $46,000, depending on the information provided.

Individuals with information they believe may be helpful are urged to call one of the following agencies: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service special agents in Mesa, AZ, at (480) 967-7900, or Springerville, AZ at (928) 333-5245, or Albuquerque, NM, at (505) 346-7828; the White Mountain Apache Tribe at (928) 338-1023 or (928) 338-4385; Arizona Game and Fish Department Operation Game Thief at 1-800-352-0700; or New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Operation Game Thief at 1-800-432-4263.

Killing a Mexican gray wolf is a violation of the federal Endangered Species Act, and can invoke criminal penalties of up to $50,000 and not more than one year in jail and/or a civil penalty of up to $25,000.