The
following is a summary of Mexican Wolf Reintroduction Project (Project)
activities in Arizona on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests (ASNF)
and Fort Apache Indian Reservation (FAIR) and in New Mexico on the
Apache National Forest (ANF) and Gila National Forest (GNF). Non-tribal
lands involved in this Project are collectively known as the Blue Range
Wolf Recovery Area (BRWRA). Additional Project information can be
obtained by calling (928) 339-4329 or toll free at (888) 459-9653, or by visiting the Arizona Game and Fish Department website at www.azgfd.gov/wolf or by visiting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website at www.fws.gov/southwest/es/mexicanwolf.
Past updates may be viewed on either website, or interested parties may
sign up to receive this update electronically by visiting www.azgfd.gov/signup.
This update is a public document and information in it can be used for
any purpose. The Reintroduction Project is a multi-agency cooperative
effort among the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AGFD), USDA Forest
Service (USFS), USDA-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service,
Wildlife Services (USDA-APHIS WS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(USFWS) and the White Mountain Apache Tribe (WMAT).
To view weekly wolf telemetry flight location information or the 3-month wolf distribution map, please visit http://www.azgfd.gov/wolf.
On the home page, go to the “Wolf Location Information” heading on the
right side of the page near the top and scroll to the specific location
information you seek.
Please report any wolf sightings or suspected livestock depredations to: (928) 339-4329 or toll free at (888) 459-9653. To report incidents of take or harassment of wolves, please call the AGFD 24-hour dispatch (Operation Game Thief) at (800) 352-0700.
Numbering System:
Mexican wolves are given an identification number recorded in an
official studbook that tracks their history. Capital letters (M = Male,
F = Female) preceding the number indicate adult animals 24 months or
older. Lower case letters (m = male, f = female) indicate wolves
younger than 24 months or pups. The capital letter “A” preceding the
letter and number indicate breeding wolves.
Definitions:
A “wolf pack” is defined as two or more wolves that maintain an
established territory. In the event that one of the two alpha
(dominant) wolves dies, the remaining alpha wolf, regardless of pack
size, retains the pack status. The packs referenced in this update
contain at least one wolf with a radio telemetry collar attached to it.
The Interagency Field Team (IFT) recognizes that wolves without radio
telemetry collars may also form packs. If the IFT confirms that wolves
are associating with each other and are resident within the same home
range, they will be referenced as a pack.
CURRENT POPULATION STATUS
At the end of
November, the collared population consisted of 57 wolves with
functional radio collars. There are currently 19 packs and 4 single
wolves in the BRWRA. As of this report the IFT has documented 40 pups
produced in the wild population for 2014.
The IFT
initiated efforts to document the overall wolf population this month
with track counts and visual observations being obtained on known packs.
Food caches and camera traps are also being deployed in an effort to
document the uncollared portion of the population.
IN ARIZONA:
Bluestem Pack (collared AF1042, AM1341, m1330, m1331, f1333, f1339, f1340 and mp1382)
In November, the Bluestem Pack continued to use their
traditional territory in the central portion of the ASNF. The IFT
documented thirteen wolves in the Bluestem pack during November. The On
November 1,
Wildlife Services investigated a dead cow south of Middle Mountain in
Arizona. The investigation determined that the cow was killed by
wolves. The depredation was assigned to the adults and juveniles in the
Bluestem Pack.
Elk Horn Pack (collared AF1294)
In November, AF1294 was located within its traditional territory
in the northeast portion of the ASNF in Arizona. During November the
IFT documented two uncollared pups traveling with AF1294 indicating the
Elk Horn Pack currently consists of three wolves.
Hawks Nest Pack (collared AM1038, AF1280 and mp1383)
During November, the Hawks Nest Pack was located within their
traditional territory in the north central portion of the ASNF. The IFT
documented the Hawks Nest Pack consisting of two adults and three pups
in November.
Hoodoo Pack (collared M1290)
In November, M1290 traveled between the northern portion of the
FAIR and the north portion of the ASNF. The IFT was able to confirm
that a second uncollared wolf is still traveling with M1290 this
month.
Rim Pack and Maverick Pack (collared AF1305 and m1336)
In November, AM1107 was found dead in Arizona. The incident is
under investigation. Since that time, m1336 from the Maverick Pack has
been documented several times traveling with AF1305 in November. AF1305
and m1336 were located together in the south-central portion of the
ASNF throughout November.
Single f1332 (Collared)
Wolf f1332 has remained in Arizona and has traveled the south
central portion of the ASNF. During the yearly population counts, the
IFT found tracks of a second wolf traveling with f1332.
ON THE FAIR:
Maverick Pack (collared AM1183, AF1291, F1335, and M1342)
During November, the Maverick Pack traveled within their
traditional territory both on the FAIR and ASNF. During the early part
of November m1336 left the Maverick Pack and began traveling with Rim
AF1305 within the Rim Pack traditional territory. M1342 began making
dispersal movements this month. The wolf was located near Eagle peak in
New Mexico during the first part of November. M1342 then returned to
the Maverick Pack and has been located with the Maverick Pack at the end
of November.
Tsay o Ah Pack (collared M1343 and AF1283)
During November, the Tsay o Ah Pack was located on the FAIR.
Tse ighan lige Pack (collared M1249, f1389 and f1388)
During November, M1249 was located on the FAIR.
IN NEW MEXICO:
Canyon Creek Pack (collared M1252 and F1246)
During November, the IFT located these wolves within their traditional territory in the central portion of the GNF.
Coronado Pack (collared AM1051, AF1126 and mp1350)
Throughout November the IFT located the Coronado pack within the
Gila Wilderness. On November 27 and 29, the IFT investigated several
nuisance reports concerning the Coronado pack in the vicinity of Gila
Hot Springs. The pack was closely monitored and hazed through the end of
the month. The Coronado Pack continues to remain within the Gila
Wilderness.
Dark Canyon Pack (collared AM992, AF923 and M1293)
Throughout November, the IFT located this pack within its traditional territory in the west-central portion of the GNF.
Fox Mountain Pack (collared AM1158, AF1212, m1345 and mp1384)
During November, the IFT documented AM1158, AF1212, and mp1384
of the Fox Mountain Pack within its traditional territory in the
northwest portion of the GNF. m1345 has been documented repeatedly with
AF903 from the San Mateo pack. A food cache has been maintained for
the Fox Mountain Pack this month in an effort to prevent livestock
depredations.
Iron Creek Pack (collared M1240 and F1278)
In November, the Iron Creek Pack continued to utilize their
territory in the northern portion of the Gila Wilderness and the
southern portion of the Gila National Forest.
Lava Pack (collared M1285 and F1295)
Through November, M1282 has not been located. F1295 has been
located with, or in close proximity to, M1285 in the Gila Wilderness.
Luna Pack (collared AM1155, AF1115, m1337, and M1284)
In November, AM1155, AF1115, and m1337 of the Luna Pack remained
in their traditional territory in the north-central portion of the
GNF. The IFT has maintained a food cache for the Luna Pack in an effort
to prevent livestock depredations. M1284 has been exhibiting
dispersing behavior and has only been located with the other members of
the Luna pack once this month.
Mangas Pack (collared AM1296)
In November, the Mangas Pack utilized the area in the northeastern portion of the GNF.
Prieto Pack (collared AM1387, AF1251, mp1386, fp1392)
Throughout November, the Prieto Pack was located within their
traditional territory in the north-central portion of the GNF. On November 9,
fp1392 was caught and collared. A food cache has been maintained for
the Prieto Pack in an effort to prevent livestock depredations.
San Mateo Pack (collared AF903 and m1345)
During November the IFT has located AF903 within the traditional
San Mateo territory travelling with m1345 originally from the Fox
Mountain pack. M1282 has not been located during November.
Willow Springs Pack (collared AM1185, AF1279, m1338, mp1385, fp1390, and mp1391)
Throughout November the IFT has located the Willow Springs Pack
in their traditional territory in the north central portion of the GNF.
The IFT documented nine wolves in the Willow Springs pack during
November. A food cache has been maintained for this pack to prevent
livestock depredations.
M1282 (collared)
M1282 has not been located this month.
M1284 (collared)
Throughout November, M1284 was located with its natal pack, the Luna Pack, in the north-central portion of the GNF.
M1285 (collared)
In November, M1285 was located with F1295, from the Lava Pack, within the Gila Wilderness.
MORTALITIES
In November, AM1107 from the Rim Pack was located dead in Arizona. The incident is under investigation.
INCIDENTS
During November there were three livestock depredation reports and two nuisance reports in the BRWRA.
On November 1,
Wildlife Services investigated one dead cow in Arizona south of Middle
Mountain. The investigation determined the cow was killed by wolves.
The depredation was assigned to the adults and juveniles from the
Bluestem Pack.
On November
19, Wildlife Services investigated a dead cow near Canyon Del Buey in
New Mexico. The investigation determined the cow was killed by wolves
and the depredation was assigned to the Mangas Pack.
On November
25, Wildlife Services investigated a dead cow near Collins Park in New
Mexico. The investigation determined the cow was killed by wolves and
the incident was assigned to the Luna Pack.
On November 27, a dog was attacked near Gila Hot Springs in New Mexico. The incident was assigned to the Coronado Pack.
On November 29, a dog was attacked near Gila Hot Springs in New Mexico. The incident was assigned to the Coronado Pack.
CAPTIVE MANAGEMENT
The Sevilleta Captive Management Facility remains empty due to ongoing facility maintenance.
COMMUNICATION AND COORDINATION
On November
11, The IFT gave a presentation to 17 members of the Wildlife Society at
Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff.
PROJECT PERSONNEL
No significant activity to report.
REWARDS OFFERED
The USFWS is
offering a reward of up to $10,000; the AGFD Operation Game Thief is
offering a reward of up to $1,000; and the NMDGF is offering a reward of
up to $1,000 for information leading to the conviction of the
individual(s) responsible for the shooting deaths of Mexican wolves. A
variety of non-governmental organizations and private individuals have
pledged an additional $46,000 for a total reward amount of up to
$58,000, depending on the information provided.
Individuals
with information they believe may be helpful are urged to call one of
the following agencies: USFWS special agents in Mesa, Arizona, at (480) 967-7900, in Alpine, Arizona, at (928) 339-4232, or in Albuquerque, New Mexico, at (505) 346-7828; the WMAT at (928) 338-1023 or (928) 338-4385; AGFD Operation Game Thief at (800) 352-0700; or NMDGF Operation Game Thief at (800) 432-4263.
Killing a Mexican wolf is a violation of the Federal Endangered Species
Act and can result in criminal penalties of up to $50,000, and/or not
more than one year in jail, and/or a civil penalty of up to $25,000.
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