This is a summary of Mexican wolf reintroduction project activities in Arizona and New Mexico. 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 website 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 www.azgfd.com. 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, with at least one having a radio collar, which maintains 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 there could be uncollared wolves that form either 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 October, the collared population consisted of 27 wolves, in eleven packs, and two lone wolves. Based on other field data (sightings, tracks, howling, etc.), there could be at least 25-30 additional wolves, including pups and uncollared wolves, distributed among the packs and groups. The current population estimate is 51-56 wolves in the wild. However, a more accurate population estimate will be provided in January 2005. Efforts will focus on confirming other uncollared wolves that may exist in the wild.

Arizona: Aspen Pack (AF667, AM512, uncollared pup m871, and collared pups f872 and f873), Bluestem Pack (AF521, AM507, two uncollared wolves, and five pups), Cienega Pack (AF487, two uncollared wolves, and at least three pups), Hawks Nest Pack (AF486, AM619, and at least two pups), Iris Pack (AM798, an uncollared wolf, and at least one pup), Rim Pack (AF858, an uncollared wolf, and two pups). Hon-Dah Pack (AM578 with uncollared wolves) is located on the FAIR. M795 and m859 are lone wolves.

New Mexico: Francisco Pack (AF511, AM904, m919 and at least one more pup), Luna Pack (AF562 and AM583), Saddle Pack (AF797, uncollared AM732, and collared pups m860, f861, f862, m863, and m864), and San Mateo Pack (AF903 and AM796).

All wolf-sighting reports are recorded and evaluated. Sightings should be reported in a timely manner in order for the IFT to be most responsive.

MONITORING

Personnel have been trapping to capture uncollared wolves, and field efforts continue to focus on monitoring wolf activity.

Arizona: The Aspen pack was located near their release site, but made movements down to the Blue River corridor on several occasions. A third Radio-Activated Guard Box was placed in the area, and intensive monitoring and hazing have continued. The IFT is planning to place a trailer in the area for project personnel to monitor wolves more closely in an effort to be more responsive when wolves are near residences. During the last week in October, f873 was located separately from AF667, AM512, and f872.

M795 was located within a few miles of the Hawks Nest female, but does not appear to be traveling with the pack. Hawks Nest AM619 has not been located despite follow-up aerial and ground efforts to determine its whereabouts.

On October 23, project personnel observed two other wolves traveling with Cienega Pack AF487.

The Bluestem Pack, Cienega Pack alpha female, Hawks Nest Pack, Iris Pack male, and Rim Pack female remained in their normal home ranges in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, as did the Hon-Dah Pack alpha male on the FAIR.

New Mexico: On October 20, a male wolf, assigned studbook number M904, was captured. It is assumed to be the mate of Francisco Pack AF511. The following day, a male pup, assigned studbook number m919, was also captured. Both were fitted with radio collars and released on site. Genetic identification will determine if m919 is a pup of M904 and AF511. The adult male was fitted with a Global Positioning System (GPS) collar. These special collars collect and store location information using global positioning satellites. The locations can be downloaded remotely from the collars by radio signals. This will allow IFT members to get more accurate and more frequent locations than with standard radio collars. The GPS collar also functions as a normal radio-tracking collar.

The Saddle Pack has remained together, and has been located several miles from their release pen at McKenna Park. The GPS collar that was fitted on Saddle Pack AM732 dropped from the wolf and was recovered. The three GPS collars that have been fitted on wolves AM732, AM904, and A796 have a programmed self-release mechanism that allows the collars to be retrieved if the wolf is not recaptured before the batteries fail. The collar can then be used again after the batteries are replaced. There was a programming glitch with the collars that caused them to release prematurely at 60 days from the time they were activated, as in the case of AM732. The manufacturer will correct the problem and reprogram the collars before the IFT uses them on other wolves. The IFT will attempt to recapture these three wolves, when feasible, to replace the collars.

The newly released San Mateo Pack left their translocation area in the Gila Wilderness, and have moved back to the San Mateo Mountains, where they were captured in late August after establishing a home range there. The IFT is planning to use a helicopter to recapture the pack. The wolves must once again be removed because they are outside the Blue Range Wolf Recovery Area.

Francisco Pack AF511 and the Luna Pack remained in their normal home ranges in the Gila National Forest.

Observation reports of wolves from the public are important as many of the wolves are currently dispersing. Please call the toll free number listed above to report wolf sightings as soon as possible after the sighting. Thank you for your help.

INCIDENTS

On the evening of October 28, a Blue River corridor resident reported that the Aspen Pack apparently interacted with two of his dogs, resulting in superficial, non-life threatening injuries to one and possibly both dogs. No veterinary care was required. The IFT investigated the incident the following morning. It appeared the Aspen Pack was moving along the Blue River when it encountered the dogs, one of which was free ranging. After the interaction, the Aspen Pack moved out of the area, and has not returned to the vicinity or anywhere else along the Blue River corridor.

CAPTIVE MANAGEMENT

On October 12, project personnel found M648 dead in its enclosure. M648 was born at the Sevilleta Wolf Management Facility on May 15, 2000. An offspring of the original Saddle Pack pair, AF510 and AM574, it was released with the pack to the wild in Arizona in January 2001. In May 2001, it was captured and returned to Sevilleta for nuisance behavior, where it was paired with a female, and then re-released in New Mexico in April 2003. In May 2003, it was recaptured and returned to Sevilleta due to depredation behavior. In March 2004, it was paired with another female at Sevilleta for companionship. Necropsy results are inconclusive, as the cause of death could not be determined due to decomposition, desiccation, and scavenging of visceral organs. Radiographs showed a normal skeleton with no evidence of recent or healing fractures.

COMMUNICATION AND COORDINATION

On October 1, Dan Groebner discussed the history of wolves in Arizona with 122 third grade students from Show Low Elementary School in Arizona as part of the Show Low Historical Museum's annual Heritage Day event.

On October 9, Dan Stark gave a presentation to about 40 Arizona State University and University of Arizona wildlife management students on the Mexican wolf reintroduction project and wolf management techniques.

On October 9, Maggie Dwire gave a project update at the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge Open House. Approximately 55 people attended the presentation.

On October 12, Krista Beazley and Dion Hinton gave a wolf presentation to 22 Head Start students in Whiteriver, AZ.

On October 12-13, the USFWS hosted a Southwestern Distinct Population Segment (SWDPS) Recovery Team meeting in Albuquerque, NM. The recovery team is making good progress towards a revised recovery plan.

On October 15, the Adaptive Management Work Group (AMWG) held its quarterly meeting in Springerville, AZ.

On October 16, the USFWS hosted a stakeholder socioeconomic meeting in Springerville, Arizona, as part of the Mexican Wolf Reintroduction Project Five-Year Review. The purpose of the meeting was to gather input from interested stakeholders with respect to socioeconomic impacts of wolves throughout the recovery area.

On October 16, Maggie Dwire gave two presentations on "The Challenges of Wolf Recovery in the Southwest" at the California Wolf Center in Julian, California, in recognition of Wolf Awareness Week. Approximately 50 people attended each presentation.

On October 23, members of the Sierra Club and Shawna Nelson assisted WMAT IFT biologists, Krista Beazley and Dion Hinton, with erecting wolf project information signs on the FAIR. The Sierra Club paid to have the signs made through AGFD contractors.

On October 25, the IFT met to discuss various Mexican Wolf Reintroduction Standard Operating Procedures, the status of the Aspen and San Mateo Packs, and other miscellaneous topics.

On October 28, Dan Groebner provided a project update to ten members of the Springerville-Eagar Rotary Club in Springerville, and discussed the upcoming socio-economic study being conducted as part of the Five-Year Project Review.

REWARDS OFFERED

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is offering a reward of up to $10,000 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 $45,000, 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 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 $25,000 and/or six (6) months in jail or a civil penalty of up to $25,000.