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. 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 spent about a week in the area around Coyote Hill NE of Springerville. On the morning of January 6, m632 was found in a coyote trap near the San Augustine Plains and was released on site by the trapper. On January 7, he was located on the San Augustine Plain, 11 miles east of the Gila Forest Boundary. Most recently he has been located near the Forest Boundary east of John Kerr peak.
Wildcat Pack (M578): New Mexico
Despite several search flights, M578 has not been located since January 22. His signal is very weak and he is difficult to monitor. He was last located northwest of Fox Mountain lookout.
Saddle Pack (AM574, AF510, f646, m647): Arizona
AM574, AF510, and f646 continue to use the area along Eagle Creek, Salt House, Chitty Canyon, and Strayhorse Divide. Yearling f646 continues to travel with the alpha pair the majority of the time. On February 4, project personnel recovered m647s radio collar west of Young, AZ. The case is under investigation.
Hawks Nest Pack (AM619, AF486): Arizona
The pair has been using the area along Coyote Creek, between Lake Sierra Blanca and the Campbell Blue drainage.
Bonito Creek Pack (AM674, AF587): Arizona
AM674 and AF587 have been using the area around Odart Mountain and Tonto Lake.
Cienega Pack (AM194, AF487, F621): Arizona
The Cienega Pack has been traveling between Grant Creek and KP Creek east of Highway 191 and west of the Blue River. Yearling F621 has been making some dispersal movements, potentially in search of a mate, and has been located in the Tularosa Mountains east of Eagle peak, as well as near Willow Creek, Gilita Creek, and Indian Creek of the Gila National Forest.
Francisco Pack (AM509, AF511, f644): Arizona
The alpha pair has been using the area between Rose Spring and Freezeout Mountain. Yearling f644 has been located separately from her parents and most recently was located near Gobbler point.
Pipestem Pack (AM190, AF628): New Mexico
AM190 and AF628 continue to travel together and have been using the area around Elk Mountain. On February 1, project personnel received a report of two wolves chasing a calf near the Crutchfield ranch. The wolves were confirmed to be the Pipestem pair. The ranch manager was able to chase the wolves away from the calf and no depredation occurred. Project personnel have been camped out near the cattle and have been hazing the wolves away as they come in at night. To date, the constant monitoring and hazing has been successful; there have been no depredations, and the pair has moved approximately 10 miles to the northwest.
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=s Nest Pack "B 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)
CAPTIVE MANAGEMENT
A follow up check on F188 (previously found emaciated and in poor health) was performed on February 3 to reassess her condition. She appears to be doing better, having gained almost 15 pounds within one week. Her blood work however, still showed some areas of concern. She continues to be housed alone so we can treat and monitor her situation as necessary.
COMMUNICATION AND COORDINATION
The Interagency Field Team met on January 30 in Alpine to discuss annual work plans and potential wolf releases for 2002.
On January 31, Nick Smith and Colleen Buchanan met with the Gila Wilderness District in Mimbres to discuss potential wolf release sites and to initiate the process for building wolf holding pens. Additional meetings to discuss the same issues were attended by Smith and Buchanan in several other districts including the Black Range, Reserve, and Quemado districts on February 1 and 6, respectively.
Dan Stark gave a presentation on the current status of the Mexican wolf project at the Arizona/New Mexico annual meeting of the Wildlife Society in Safford on February 8. Approximately 150 people attended.
Brian Kelly presented an update on the program to members of the Upper/Middle Rio Grande Ecoteam at the Ecoteam
