The following is a summary of Mexican Wolf Reintroduction Project
(Project) activities in the Mexican Wolf Experimental Population Area
(MWEPA) in Arizona, including the Fort Apache Indian Reservation (FAIR),
San Carlos Apache Reservation (SCAR), and New Mexico. 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.
This update is a public document and information in it can be used
for any purpose. The 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).
Please report any wolf sightings or suspected livestock depredations to: the Alpine wolf office
(928) 339-4329, Pinetop wolf office
(928-532-2391) 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.
Overall Mexican Wolf Recovery Program Monthly Update
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service posted the 2017 Mexican Wolf
Initial Release and Translocation Plan (Plan) on the Mexican Wolf
Recovery Program Website and requested comments for 20 days. The USFWS
provided all comments received in applications to New Mexico Department
of Game and Fish for importation and release permits consistent with the
Plan.
The USFWS hosted the Canid and Hyaneid Taxon Advisory Group meeting
in Albuquerque March 27 and 28, 2017. This meeting was part of the
larger Association of Zoos and Aquarium's mid-year meeting hosted by the
Albuquerque Biological Park.
The Division of Genomic Resources (DGR) of the Museum of
Southwestern Biology at the University of New Mexico serves as the
repository for Mexican wolf specimens including carcasses, pelts, and
blood. On March 30, 2017, DGR celebrated migrating from maintaining
specimens in -80oC freezers to new, more secure cryogenic nitrogen-vapor (-190oC).
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. Studbook numbers listed in the monthly update denote
wolves with functioning radio collars. 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
The IFT completed the annual year-end population survey which
started in November 2016 and concluded with helicopter count and capture
operations conducted in late January through early February 2017. The
IFT documented a minimum of 113 Mexican wolves in the wild in Arizona
and New Mexico at the end of 2016. At the end of March, there were 61
wolves with functioning radio collars that the IFT was actively
monitoring. Wolves with functioning radio collars are listed by studbook
number in the pack updates below.
Annual surveys are conducted in the winter as this is when the
population experiences the least amount of natural fluctuation (i.e. in
the spring the population increases dramatically with the birth of new
pups and declines throughout the summer and fall as mortality is
particularly high on young pups). Thus, the IFT summarizes the total
number of wolves in the winter at a fairly static or consistent time of
year. This allows for comparable year-to-year trends at a time of year
that accounts for most mortality and survival of young pups.
IN ARIZONA:
Bear Wallow Pack (collared AM1338 and AF1335)
In
March, the Bear Wallow Pack was located within their traditional
territory in the east central portion of the Apache-Sitgreaves National
Forest (ASNF).
Bluestem Pack (collared M1382, F1488, fp1562, fp1563 and mp1574)
In
March, the Bluestem Pack continued to use their traditional territory
in the east central portion of the ASNF. F1488 continued to travel
separate from the Bluestem Pack with another wolf near Alpine. During
March, M1382 continued to be documented traveling with AF1339 of the
Panther Creek Pack. Genetic analysis from the male pup initially thought
to be Panther Creek mp148X revealed that it was a Bluestem pup and has
been assigned the studbook number mp1574.
Elk Horn Pack (collared AF1294, mp1471, mp1474 and fp1473)
In
March, the Elk Horn Pack was located within their traditional territory
in the north eastern portion of the ASNF. The female pup assigned the
temporary studbook number, fp147X, was identified as fp1473 through
genetic analysis. This confirmed that the wolf was a wild born of the
Elk Horn Pack and not a cross-fostered pup from 2016.
Frieborn Pack (collared F1443 and m1447)
In March,
F1443 and m1447 received pack status and were named the Frieborn Pack.
They have been holding a territory in the east central portion of the
ASNF in Arizona and into New Mexico.
Hawks Nest Pack (collared AM1038)
The Hawks Nest
Pack consists of one collared wolf, AM1038. AM1038 previously made wide
dispersal movements within the north central portion of the ASNF, but
during March was consistently located in the northern portion of the
ASNF in the territory of the Diamond Pack. By the end of March, AM1038
was documented traveling primarily with f1557 of the Diamond Pack.
Hoodoo Pack (collared AM1290, AF1333, m1441, fp1550 and f1567)
In
March, the Hoodoo Pack was located within their traditional territory
in the north central portion of the ASNF. Sub-adult wolves m1441 and
f1567 continued to travel together and apart from the Hoodoo Pack. The
IFT concluded the prey carcass investigations that began in February
looking at the kill rates of both the Hoodoo Pack and the new pair:
m1441 and f1567. In March, fp1549 was located dead in Arizona. The
incident is under investigation.
Maverick Pack (collared AF1291)
In March, the
Maverick Pack was located within their traditional territory both on the
FAIR and east central portion of the ASNF.
Panther Creek Pack (collared AF1339, mp1483, fp1484 and mp1486)
In
March, the Panther Creek Pack was located in the east central portion
of the ASNF. Bluestem M1382 continued to be located traveling with
AF1339. Pups mp1483, fp1484, and mp1486 have been traveling separately
from the rest of the pack. Male pup 1486 has been documented traveling
in the Gila National Forest (GNF) in New Mexico. Male pup 1483 was
documented traveling between Arizona and New Mexico. The male pup
assigned the temporary studbook number, mp148X, was identified through
genetic analysis as a Bluestem animal, and has been given a new studbook
number of mp1574.
ON THE FAIR:
Diamond Pack (collared f1557, mp1559, fp1560, fp1570, mp1571 and mp1572)
In
March, the Diamond Pack was located in the northern portion of the ASNF
and on state lands north of the ASNF. Near the beginning of the month,
mp1572 was located lame and removed for veterinary care. Male pup 1572
has tested negative for diseases and has been transferred to the
Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico where it continues to
receive rehabilitative care. Near the end of March, AM1038 of the Hawks
Nest Pack and f1557 were documented traveling together and apart from
the Diamond Pack.
Tsay-O-Ah Pack (collared AM1343 and AF1283)
In March, the Tsay-o-Ah Pack was located within their traditional territory on the FAIR.
Baldy Pack (collared M1347 and f1445)
The Baldy Pack was not located during the month of March.
IN NEW MEXICO:
Iron Creek Pack (collared AM1240, AF1278 and mp1556)
During
March, 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 (GNF).
Lava Pack (collared F1405 and AM1285)
During March, the Lava Pack was located within their traditional territory in the south eastern portion of the GNF.
Leopold Pack (collared AM1293, AF1346 and mp1561)
During March, the IFT documented the Leopold Pack within their territory in the northern portion of the Gila Wilderness.
Luna Pack (collared AM1158 and AF1487)
During March,
the Luna Pack remained in their traditional territory in the north
central portion of the Gila National Forest. The IFT set up a
diversionary food cache to reduce potential for livestock depredations.
Mangas Pack (collared M1296 and F1439)
During March, the Mangas Pack was located within their territory in the north western portion of the GNF.
New Pair (collared F1444 and M1386)
During March, F1444 and M1386 were documented traveling together within the west central portions of the GNF.
New Pair (collared F1456 and M1354)
During March, F1456 and M1354 were documented traveling together within the west central portions of the GNF.
Prieto Pack (collared AF1251, M1398 and fp1565)
During
March, the Prieto Pack was located within their traditional territory
in the north central portion of the GNF. M1386, m1455, f1456, M1552,
and mp1569 have all displayed dispersal behavior for 3 months and are
now considered single wolves or part of a “new pair”.
San Mateo Pack (collared AF1399)
During March, the San Mateo Pack continued to utilize their territory in the north central portion of the GNF.
Sheepherders Baseball Park (SBP) Pack (collared AM1284 and f1553)
During March, the SBP Pack continued to use their traditional territory in the north central portion of the GNF.
Willow Springs Pack (collared F1397)
During
March, the IFT documented the Willow Springs Pack within their
traditional territory in the north central portion of the GNF.
Single collared AM1155
During March, AM1155 was documented traveling within New Mexico.
Single collared m1455
During March, m1455 traveled
throughout east-central portions of the GNF and southern portions of the
Cibola National Forest (CNF).
Single collared M1552
During March, M1552 traveled throughout northeastern portions of the GNF and central portions of the CNF.
Single collared mp1569
During March, mp1569 traveled throughout northern and central portions of the CNF and other areas west of I-25.
MORTALITIES
During March, fp1549 of the Hoodoo Pack was located dead in Arizona. The incident is under investigation.
During March, mp1573 of the Bluestem Pack was captured by the IFT
for medical evaluation and attention. It died overnight under veterinary
care. Disease testing confirmed mp1573 tested positive for canine
distemper.
INCIDENTS
During the month of March, there were six confirmed wolf depredations on livestock and no nuisance reports.
On March 6,
Wildlife Services investigated a dead calf in Catron County, NM. The
investigation determined the calf was a confirmed wolf kill.
On March 18,
Wildlife Services investigated a dead calf in Catron County, NM. The
investigation determined the calf was a confirmed wolf kill.
On March 21, Wildlife Services investigated a dead calf in Catron
County, NM. The investigation determined the calf was a confirmed wolf
kill.
On March 21, Wildlife Services investigated a dead cow in Catron
County, NM. The investigation determined the cow was killed by coyotes.
On March 21, Wildlife Services investigated a dead cow in Socorro
County, NM. The investigation determined the cow was a confirmed wolf
kill.
On March 24, Wildlife Services investigated a dead cow in Socorro
County, NM. The investigation determined the cow had died from natural
causes.
On March 24, Wildlife Services investigated a dead calf in Apache
County, AZ. The investigation determined the calf had been killed by
dogs.
On March 25, Wildlife Services investigated seven dead cows in
Cochise County, AZ. The investigations determined one cow was a
confirmed wolf kill, four cows died from natural causes and one cow died
from an unknown cause. One of the seven dead cows was unable to be
investigated due to its deteriorated condition.
On March 26, female pup 1530, originating from an ongoing
reintroduction effort in Mexico, was captured on private ranch land in
southeastern Arizona by the IFT and relocated to the Sevilleta Wolf
Management Facility in New Mexico, where it is in good health.
Management agencies in the United States and Mexico will determine the
most appropriate long-term management action for this wolf.
On March 27, Wildlife Services investigated a dead cow in Cochise
County, AZ. The investigation determined the cow died from unknown
cause.
On March 28, Wildlife Services investigated a dead cow in Catron
County, NM. The investigation determined the cow was a confirmed wolf
kill.
COMMUNICATION AND COORDINATION
On March 14,
the USFWS met with the Santa Clara Pueblo to discuss the status of the
Mexican Wolf Recovery Program and development of the revised draft
recovery plan.
On March 29, the USFWS provided a presentation on the Mexican Wolf
Recovery Program to the Inter-tribal, Fish and Wildlife Service
Coordination meeting at Ak-Chin.
PROJECT PERSONNEL
There are no project personnel updates for the month of March.
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.
