Call toll-free at (888) 459-9653 to report suspected livestock depredations, incidents of take or harassment of wolves, or wolf sightings. The reintroduction is a multi-agency cooperative effort between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Arizona Game and Fish Department, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, USDA-Wildlife Services, U.S. Forest Service, the Turner Endangered Species Fund, and the White Mountain Apache Tribe.
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 preceding the number indicate adult animals two years or older (M = Male, F = Female). Capital letter "A" preceding the letter and number indicate alpha wolves. Lower case letters indicate sub-adults or pups (m = male, f = female).
Note: A "Fate Unknown"section has been added indicating those wolves that have not been located for three months or longer. In such cases, they will be listed in this section and no longer reported with their pack affiliation.
WOLF PACK NEWS:
Lupine Pack (m632): Arizona
Yearling m632 had previously been located on private land outside the recovery area northeast of Springerville. The landowner requested his removal and project personnel began trapping efforts to remove him. The attempts were unsuccessful however, and m632 moved out of the area soon after traps were set. He has since traveled eastward and is currently in New Mexico and has been located southeast of Cottonwood Canyon as well as southwest of Chihuahua Lake. The necropsy results for alpha female F169 and yearling m630 confirmed they both died from gunshot wounds. F169 was found found dead November 15, 2001 near Maverick Mountain on the White Mountain Apache Reservation and yearling m630 was found dead near Vernon, Arizona on December 3, 2001. Both cases remain open. See the "Rewards" section below for more information.
Wildcat Pack (M578): New Mexico
On March 18, M578 was caught, unharmed, by a coyote trapper in a foothold trap in the Burro Mountains near Silver City. He was returned to captivity at Sevilleta because of his history of traveling outside the recovery area.
Saddle Pack (AM574, AF510, f646): Arizona
On March 22, project personnel observed the alpha pair and yearling f646 walking together down the 54 Road near Baldy Bill Point. Yearling f646 continues to explore areas on her own as well and was recently located northwest of Honeymoon Campground. The necropsy results for yearling f645, found dead November 5, 2001northwest of Springerville, confirmed she died from gunshot wounds. The case remains open. See the "Rewards" section below for more information.
Hawks Nest Pack (AM619, AF486): Arizona
Most recently, the pair was located near the Diamond Rock Campground in the Apache National Forest
Bonito Creek Pack (AM674, AF587): Arizona
AM674 and AF587 have been located northeast of Tonto Lake as well as southeast of Pacheta Lake on the White Mountain Apache Reservation.
Cienega Pack (AM194, AF487, F621): Arizona, New Mexico
The alpha pair has been recently located southwest of Devils Washboard. Yearling F621 is still making some dispersal movements and has been located in New Mexico west of Eagle Peak, northeast of Flat Top Mesa, and east of Lost Lake.
Francisco Pack (AM509, AF511, f644): Arizona
Yearling f644, who had returned to her parents, has again been making dispersal movements and was located northwest of Christmas Tree Lake and northeast of Willow Mountain Lookout. The alpha pair have been using the area southwest of Malay Gap to Conklin Creek and southeast of Freezeout Mountain in the Apache National Forest.
Pipestem Pack (AM190, AF628): New Mexico
The Pipestem pair has been frequenting the Slash/Adobe Ranch since early February when they were observed chasing a calf. Intensive monitoring and hazing efforts have been in place ever since in attempts to prevent any depredations. However, on March 22, they killed a newborn calf on the Adobe Ranch. Another calf was confirmed killed by the pair on March 24. Project personnel are currently attempting to trap the pair to remove them from the ranch; they will be returned to Sevilleta.
FATE UNKNOWN
M555 (Gavilan Pack – last signal 02/12/00)
M627 (Pipestem Pack – last signal 07/02/00)
F189 (Mule Pack – last signal 02/02/01)
F127 (Hawk’s Nest Pack - slipped out of radio collar; last seen 9/19/98)
F579 (Mule Pack un-collared pup released 5/24/99)
M581 (Mule Pack un-collared pup released 5/24/99)
M586 (Gavilan Pack un-collared pup released 5/22/99)
M641 (Francisco Pack un-collared pup released 7/15/00)
M642 (Francisco Pack un-collared pup released 7/15/00)
M643 (Francisco Pack un-collared pup released 7/15/00)
M678 (Lupine Pack un-collared pup released 6/20/01)
F679 (Lupine Pack un-collared pup released 6/20/01)
M680 (Lupine Pack un-collared pup released 6/20/01)
Three un-collared Hawk’s Nest pups (sexes unknown) released 6/3/99
SEASONAL NEWS
Mexican wolves typically breed during the month of February, and after a 63 day gestation period, pups are generally born in mid-April to mid-May. The average litter size for Mexican wolves is 4 - 6 pups. The potential for wild-born litters this year is very good, as there are 6 established pairs/packs currently in the wild.
CAPTIVE MANAGEMENT
On March 25, two pairs of wolves at the Ladder Ranch wolf facility were captured and fitted with radio collars in preparation for release to the wild. Both pairs will be released in the Gila Wilderness in early April; one at Lilly Park and the other at McKenna Park. A pregnancy test was also performed and confirmed that both females are pregnant.
COMMUNICATION AND COORDINATION
On March 23 Brian Kelly met with permittees from the Quemado Ranger district to discuss the Mexican wolf program. Approximately 30 permittees attended.
The White Mountain Apache Tribe hosted a signing ceremony at the Hondah Resort near Pinetop, Arizona on March 27 to finalize a cooperative agreement between the Tribe and the Fish and Wildlife Service’s Mexican wolf project. The agreement allows for wolf monitoring and management on tribal lands and opens up a significant amount of land for wolf recovery.
Brian Kelly traveled to Missoula, Montana to attend a meeting on March 29 regarding the wolf compensation fund. Preliminary results were presented regarding a survey which evaluated the effectiveness of the wolf/livestock depredation compensation fund.
INCIDENTS
See Pipestem Pack
PERSONNEL
Brandon Barr, USFWS volunteer, finished his 6 month term with the project. He is hoping to take a job in Moab, Utah doing native fish surveys on the Green River.
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 recent shooting deaths of three Mexican gray wolves. An additional $5,000 is being offered by the Center for Biological Diversity. The Lupine Pack alpha female, AF169, was found dead on November 15 near Maverick Mountain on the White Mountain Apache Reservation; Saddle Pack yearling female, f645, was found dead on November 5, near Forest Road 117, south of Highway 60, in the Greens Peak area near Vernon; and Lupine yearling male, m630, was found December 3, 18 miles northwest of Springerville, south of Highway 60 in Apache County, Arizona.
Investigations into the illegal killing of four other Mexican wolves are also still being conducted:
Campbell Blue alpha female, AF174, was shot on August 7, 1998, in the Williams Valley area near Alpine, Arizona.
Hawk’s Nest male, m532, was found dead from gunshot wounds near the Arizona/New Mexico state line on November 7, 1998.
Hawk’s Nest male, m531, was found dead from gunshot wounds on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation on November 23, 1998.
Francisco yearling male, m590, was found dead from gunshot wounds on December 18, 2000 approximately ˝ mile north of Highway 12 in the Apache National Forest’s Divide wood cutting area near Aragon, New Mexico.
Individuals with information they believe may be helpful should call one of these agencies: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service special agents in Mesa, AZ at (480) 835-8289 or Pinetop at (928) 367-5689; the White Mountain Apache Tribe at (928) 338-1023 or (928) 338-4385; Arizona Game and Fish Operation Game Thief at 1-800-352-0700; or New Mexico Game and Fish Department Operation Game Thief at 1-800-432-4263.
The killing of a Mexican gray wolf is a violation of Federal and State’s of Arizona and New Mexico laws. Violations of the Federal Endangered Species Act can invoke criminal penalties of up to $25,000 and /or six months in jail, or a civic penalty of up to $10,000.
