Mexican Gray Wolf Pups Born

The Mexican Wolf Recovery Program began its 1999 season with renewed hope for a successful new year. The official news, "weve got pups" was received from field staff in the Apache National Forest and the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge late last week, but not all pup counts are in.

A wolf pair (female #189 and male #190) at Sevilleta, about 40 miles south of Albuquerque, produced four pups on April 6 and all appear to be doing well. The pair was scheduled for transfer to an acclimation pen on April 3, but heavy spring snows hampered the attempt.

Wolf #511 hasnt had pups yet. She and her mate are also at Sevilleta.

The advanced state of pregnancy in pairs selected for release caused the decision to allow the wolves to have their pups before moving them to the wild.

In their acclimation pen near Coalson Peak in the Apache National Forest, the