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 http://www.azgfd.gov/wolf or by visiting
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website at http://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 http://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 February
2013, the collared population consisted of 46 wolves with functional radio
collars dispersed among 14 packs and five single wolves. The IFT located
several of the collared single wolves traveling with other packs and dispersing
wolves this month. Some other uncollared wolves are known to be associating
with radio-collared wolves, and others are separate from known
packs.
IN
ARIZONA:
Bluestem Pack
(collared AF1042, mp1275, mp1277, fp1280 and fp1289)
Throughout
February, the IFT located these wolves in their traditional territory in the
east-central portion of the ASNF. The IFT documented wolf m1240 continuing to
travel widely throughout the BRWRA this month and now considers this wolf to be
a single animal.
Elk Horn Pack
(collared AM1287 and f1294)
In February, the IFT located these
wolves traveling in the northeast and central portion of the ASNF in
Arizona.
Hawks Nest
Pack
The IFT was able to confirm that AM1038 was still alive in the
traditional Hawks Nest territory in the north-central portion of the ASNF;
however, it has a nonfunctioning radio collar, making this wolf impossible to
track with telemetry equipment.
Maverick Pack
(collared AM1183, mp1290 and fp1291)
During February, the IFT
located these wolves on the west-central portion of the ASNF, while mp1290 was
located traveling separately from the other pack members. At the end of the
month, mp1290 was located traveling with Rim Pack AM1107.
Paradise Pack
(collared AM795 and AF1056)
In February, the IFT located AM795 and
AF1056 using their traditional winter territory on the northern portion of the
ASNF. The IFT documented m1245 traveling with this pack for a brief time during
the middle of February. This wolf dispersed back to the GNF later in the
month.
Rim Pack
(collared AM1107)
Throughout February, the IFT located AM1107
utilizing the south-central portion of the ASNF. Later in the month, the IFT
documented this wolf traveling with mp1290 from the Maverick Pack in the
traditional winter territory for the Rim Pack.
ON THE
FAIR:
Tsay o Ah Pack
(collared AM1253, m1254 and fp1283)
During February, the IFT located
AM1253 and fp1283 on the FAIR. The IFT did not locate m1254 during the
month.
IN NEW
MEXICO:
Canyon Creek
Pack (collared M1252 and F1246)
In February, the IFT located these
wolves traveling together in the central portion of the GNF.
Dark Canyon
Pack (collared AM992, AF923, m1293 and fp1278)
Throughout February,
the IFT located this pack within its traditional territory in the west-central
portion of the GNF.
Fox Mountain
Pack (collared AM1158, AF1212, m1276, mp1274 and fp1281)
Throughout
February, the IFT documented these wolves in the northwest portion of the GNF.
The IFT documented AF1212, AM1158 and m1276 traveling together, while mp1274 and
fp1281 were located traveling together and separate from the other three
collared wolves in this pack. The IFT located all of these wolves together
during one weekly telemetry flight. Each location has been in the pack’s
traditional territory.
Luna Pack
(collared AM1155, AF1115, mp1284, mp1285 and mp1286)
In February,
the IFT located the pack within its traditional territory in the north-central
portion of the GNF.
Middle Fork
Pack (collared AM871 and AF861)
The IFT did not locate these wolves
during February, due largely to logistical issues involving weather conditions,
telemetry flights and telemetry collars that may be nearing the end of their
operating life. The IFT will follow up during March with efforts to locate
these wolves.
San Mateo Pack
(collared AM1157, AF903, m1249, mp1282 and fp1292)
In February,
these wolves continued to use their traditional territory in the northern
portion of the GNF. The IFT documented fp1292 and m1249 traveling away from the
other pack members, but still within the pack territory.
Willow Springs
Pack (collared M1185 and F1279)
Throughout February, the IFT located
these wolves in the north-central portion of the GNF.
m1240
(collared)
The IFT has documented this wolf dispersing from the
Bluestem Pack since December 2012. Throughout February, this wolf has traveled
separately from other pack members. The IFT now considers this wolf to be a
single animal.
m1243
(collared)
Throughout February, the IFT located this wolf traveling
widely through the GNF, including portions of the Gila Wilderness
Area.
m1244
(collared)
In February, the IFT located this wolf traveling widely
through the GNF in New Mexico.
m1245
(collared)
During early February, the IFT documented this wolf
traveling with AM795 and AF1056 of the Paradise Pack on the ASNF. Later in the
month, this wolf dispersed back to the central portion of the GNF in New
Mexico.
f1251
(collared)
Throughout February, the IFT located this wolf traveling
separately from the Dark Canyon Pack in the north-central portion of the GNF.
During the end-of-year count in January, the IFT found an uncollared wolf
traveling with f1251; however, the IFT did not attempt to obtain a visual on
this wolf in February.
MORTALITIES
No wolf mortalities
were documented this month.
INCIDENTS
During February, IFT
personnel investigated four potential livestock depredation incidents and two
nuisance incidents in the BRWRA.
On February 6, IFT
personnel investigated a report of an uncollared wolf in Reserve, New Mexico.
The investigation revealed that the animal was not a Mexican wolf, but was most
likely a wolf-dog hybrid.
On February 14, WS
personnel investigated two old cow carcasses near Atascacita Springs on the
ASNF. The cause of the deaths was undetermined.
On February 15, WS
personnel investigated a dead bull on State Trust Lands northwest of
Springerville, Arizona. The cause of death was undetermined.
On February 20, IFT
personnel investigated a report of two collared wolves near a residence close to
Pinedale, Arizona, approximately one mile from the FAIR. The investigation
revealed wolf-sized tracks near the residence; however, snow conditions made
positive track identification difficult. No radio telemetry signals were
obtained during several days of follow-up investigations. Personnel placed a
trail camera on an elk carcass in the general vicinity; however, no wolves were
documented on the camera.
On February 26, WS
personnel investigated a dead calf near St John’s, Arizona. The cause of death
was determined to be weather-related.
On February 27, WS
personnel investigated a dead calf near Wagontongue Mountain on the GNF. The
cause of death was undetermined.
CAPTIVE
MANAGEMENT
On February 4, F858
was moved to the Sevilleta Wolf Management Facility in New Mexico.
On February 14 and 17,
personnel at the Ladder Ranch Wolf Management Facility in New Mexico, in
coordination with the Mexican Wolf Species Survival Plan, collected and froze
semen from priority male wolves for future research and
use.
COMMUNICATION AND COORDINATION
No significant
activity occurred this month.
PROJECT
PERSONNEL
No significant
activity occurred this month.
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.
In an article for the first edition of Cryptozoology Bernard Heuvelmans wrote that cryptozoology is the study of 'unexpected animals' and following on from that perfectly reasonable assertion, it seems to us that whereas the study of out of place birds may not have the glamour of the hunt for bigfoot or lake monsters, it is still a perfectly valid area for the Fortean zoologist to be interested in. So after about six months of regular postings on the main bloggo Corinna has taken the plunge and started a 'Watcher of the Skies' blog of her own as part of the CFZ Bloggo Network.
