Monthly Status Report:  November 1 – 30, 2004

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 website at .  Past updates may also be viewed on this website or interested parties may sign up to receive the update electronically by visiting 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, at least one having a radio collar, 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 November, the collared population consisted of 27 wolves, in 10 packs*, one group, and two lone wolves.  Based on other field data, including 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.  A final estimate for 2004 will be provided in January 2005.
 
* NOTE:  The San Mateo wolves have been designated a “group” per the Definitions above.

In Arizona:  Aspen Pack (AF667, AM512, uncollared 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.

In 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 Group (AF903 and AM796).

All wolf-sighting reports are recorded and evaluated.  Sightings should be reported in a timely manner so the IFT can be most responsive in follow-up.

MONITORING

Personnel have been trapping to capture uncollared wolves.  Field efforts continue to focus on monitoring wolf activity, as well as on confirming other uncollared wolves that may exist in the wild. 

In Arizona:  The Aspen pack made movements along the Blue River corridor on several occasions (see “Incidents” for more information).  Intensive monitoring and hazing of these animals has continued.  The IFT has set up a camper trailer in the area for project personnel to monitor these wolves more closely, in an effort to be more responsive when wolves are in the area. 

Aspen f873 continues to be located separate from the rest of the pack, in an area south of the Blue Lookout.  Aspen m871 has not been located since it slipped its collar a few months ago.

Lone wolf m859 was located just across the Arizona border, in New Mexico northeast of Escudilla Mountain, during the later part of November.

During the last part of November, M795 was located on the FAIR.

Hawks Nest AM619 has not been located since October 4, despite follow-up aerial and ground efforts to determine its whereabouts. 

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

In New Mexico:  The San Mateo group remains in the San Mateo Mountains, where they were captured and removed in late August.  The IFT is monitoring and assessing the situation.  The Forest Service District Rangers and local permittees have been notified of the wolves’ presence in the area.

The Francisco Pack, Luna Pack, and Saddle Pack remained in their 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 sighting as soon as possible after the sightings.  Thank you for your help.

INCIDENTS

On the evening of November 4, the Aspen Pack interacted with two domestic dogs enclosed in a chain link fence near a house along the Blue River corridor.  The resident fired a gun near the wolves, and they ran off.  No injuries to the dogs were sustained.

On November 7, a New Mexico outfitter reported that while he was pursuing a bear in the Gila Wilderness Area with his hounds, his dogs encountered and fought with three wolves.  The wolves, determined by the IFT to be members of the Saddle Pack, dispersed when the guide fired his gun into the air.  Two of the dogs were severely injured and required veterinary care, while the other two sustained minor injuries.  Both dogs injured during the encounter will survive, as their injuries were non-life threatening.

On the evening of November 30, a Blue River resident reported an uncollared wolf attacking their dog on the resident’s back porch.  Two dogs chased off the animal, and no dog was injured during the event.  The resident fired several shots in the air, but the animal remained in the area, being later observed by flashlight.  The resident used a telemetry receiver, provided by project personnel, but did not pick up any signals from the Aspen Pack.  It is unclear what wolf was involved in the incident, as project personnel located the three collared Aspen wolves over a mile north of this area both before and after the incident.  However, the receiver that the resident used after the incident was found to have the frequency of AF667 incorrectly programmed.  It is also possible that m871, which has not been documented with the pack since it slipped his collar a few months ago, may have been involved.

CAPTIVE MANAGEMENT
 
Nothing new to report.

COMMUNICATION AND COORDINATION

On October 16, Melissa Woolf gave a presentation to 25 people for Wolf Awareness Week at Wildlife West in Edgewood, NM.

On November 3, Krista Beazley and Deon Hinton gave a wolf presentation to 20 Head Start students on the FAIR.

On November 10, the IFT met to discuss the current situation with the Aspen pack and develop management recommendations.  Recommendations were to increase frequency and magnitude of hazing activities when the pack is in the Blue River corridor, and to look at the feasibility of using the Engineer Springs pen as a translocation site and/or a holding pen if the Aspen pack needs to be captured.  Since then, the Adaptive Management Oversight Committee has been reviewing and approving the IFT recommendations on a weekly basis.

On November 20, Maggie Dwire gave a wolf presentation to 25 people at the Festival of the Cranes in NM.

On November 20 and 21, Dan Groebner and Bruce Sitko set up a display on the Mexican wolf project at the Hunting and Shooting Showcase, sponsored by the Department at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility north of Phoenix, and provided information and answered questions about the project.

PROJECT PERSONNEL

Dr. John R. Morgart, a wildlife biologist with the USFWS, has been selected as the Mexican Wolf Recovery Coordinator.  He will serve as the lead scientist for the program for USFWS, and will recommend and interpret policy at the federal level.  He will be based in Albuquerque, NM.

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, 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 $25,000 and/or six (6) months in jail or a civil penalty of up to $25,000.