This is a brief summary of current information about the Mexican gray wolf reintroduction program in Arizona and New Mexico. Additional information can be obtained by calling (505) 248-6652 or (520) 367-4281 or by visiting our web site, http://mexicanwolf.fws.gov">. Please note that access to this website and all U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website has been restricted since early December in compliance with a court order. 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 "AA"@ preceding the letter and number indicate alpha wolves. Lower case letters indicate sub-adults or pups (m = male, f = female).
Note: An "Unknown Status" section has been added indicating those wolves that have not been located for three months or longer. We will no longer continue to report them with their pack affiliation, but instead will list them in this section.
WOLF PACK NEWS:
Lupine Pack (m632): Arizona
Yearling m632 was captured on private property outside of the Recovery Area on January 1 and put in the Engineer Springs management pen for future release. While in the pen, members of the Saddle Pack came near the pen at night on several occasions. Through telemetry monitoring, there was some indication that yearling f646 was the first to come near the pen and was the last to leave. Hoping that m632 and f646 would bond, we released him from the pen on January 17; however, m632 did not spend much time in the area and on January 27 was located near Coyote Hill NE of Springerville. He has remained in that area.
Wildcat Pack (M578): New Mexico
M578 had not been located since November 29; however, on January 13, project personnel received a report of a wolf traveling through a pasture northeast of Aragon. After further investigation, it was determined that this sighting was M578 and on January 14, he was located approximately two miles southwest of Aragon. On January 28, he was located northwest of Fox Mountain, 22 miles southwest of Quemado. His signal is very weak and we have not been able to locate him since.
Saddle Pack (AM574, AF510, f646, m647): Arizona
AM574, AF510, and f646 have been using the area along Salt House Creek and East Eagle Creek just south of Blue Vista. The trio also visited the Engineer Springs pen on several occasions while m632 was in the pen. Project personnel observed the three wolves crossing Highway 191 just north of Blue Vista on January 20. Yearling m647 was last located on January 17, two miles north of Becker Lake near Springerville. Project personnel received a report of a wolf with an injured rear left leg in Williams Valley on January 20. The reported injury is consistent with other observations of 647.
Hawks Nest Pack (AM619, AF486): Arizona
Telemetry locations of the Hawk"=s Nest pair indicate they are still using the area along the Campbell Blue drainage between Forest Service Road 37 and Highway 191.
Bonito Creek Pack (AM674, AF587): Arizona
Recent telemetry locations indicate this pair may be shifting their territory to the west several miles in the area around Marshall Butte and Loafer Bench. Their movements are probably a result of snow accumulation and Elk migration.
Cienega Pack (AM194, AF487, F621): Arizona
The Cienega Pack has been traveling between Grant Creek and KP Creek east of Hwy 191 and west of the Blue River.
Francisco Pack (AM509, AF511, f644): Arizona
The alpha pair and the collared female yearling, f644, have been traveling between KP Cienega and Malay Gap.
Pipestem Pack (AM190, AF628): New Mexico
AM190 and AF628 continue to travel together and have been using the area between Loco Mountain, the Middle Fork, East Elk Mountain, and Chicken Coop Canyon.
UNKNOWN STATUS
M555 (Gavilan Pack "B last signal 02/12/00)
M627 (Pipestem Pack "B last signal 07/02/00)
F189 (Mule Pack "B last signal 02/02/01)
F127 (Hawk
