Mexican Wolf Reintroduction Update December 5- December 14, 2001

This is a brief summary of current information about the Mexican gray wolf reintroduction in Arizona and New Mexico. Additional information can be obtained by calling (505) 248-6652 or (520) 367-4281 or visiting our web site, http://mexicanwolf.fws.gov">. Call toll-free at (888) 459- 9653 to report suspected livestock depredation or incidents of take or harassment of wolves. The reintroduction is a multi-agency cooperative effort (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Arizona Game and Fish Department, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, USDA- Wildlife Services, U.S. Forest Service, and the Turner Endangered Species Fund).

Please Note: 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 M=male, F=female. Capital letter "AA"@ preceding the letter and number indicates the alpha pair. Lower case letters indicate yearlings or pups.

NOTE: A" "Missing Collared Wolves"@ section has been added indicating those radio collars that have gone off the air. When a wolf has been missing for six months or longer, we will no longer continue to report them with their pack affiliation but instead will list them in this section.

This past weekend, hunters reported the discovery of a Mexican wolf carcass in eastern Arizona on the Apache Sitgreaves National Forest. On December 9, project personnel confirmed the body was that of yearling f634 from the Lupine Pack. It appeared she had been dead for quite a while. She had last been located on July 23, 2001 on the White Mountain Apache Reservation. A necropsy is pending to determine the cause of death. Yearling m632 is the only remaining collared wolf in this pack being monitored. He was last located on December 10,1/4 mile west of Quemado Lake. A search flight was conducted for him on December 13 but project personnel were unable to locate him. The status of the three un-collared pups is unknown as they have not been seen since the pack was released. Necropsy results are still pending for the alpha female AF169 who was found dead November 15 and yearling m630 who was found dead on December 3.

Project personnel last located M578 near Reserve, NM on November 29. Several search flights have been conducted since then but his whereabouts remains unknown.

The alpha pair and yearling f646 have remained together during this reporting period. The trio have been traveling this past week between PS Knoll and the Salt Creek trail. On December 10, they were observed by project personnel feeding on an elk kill southeast of PS Knoll. Yearling m647 was located four miles east of Lake Mary but most recently, he has moved back to the Morman Lake area. He continues to move long distances, despite repeated reports of an injured hind leg.

The pair has moved regularly along the Campbell Blue drainage between Forest Service Road 37 and Highway 191. They have also been located between Cienega Creek and the Campbell Blue during this reporting period. On December 9, a probable wolf killed elk was found along the Campbell Blue drainage. The wolves were in the area of the carcass at the time of discovery.

AM674 and AF587 have been using the area around Pacheta Lake and Maverick Fire Camp.

The pack has remained together and continues to travel in the area around Hannagan Meadow and Ackre Lake. On December 6, a probable wolf killed elk was found near Ackre Lake. Wolves were heard howling in the area when the elk carcass was discovered.

The alpha pair has been traveling on the White Mountain Apache Reservation as well as the San Carlos Reservation. They have been located as far east as Conklin Creek. On December 10, they were located via a telemetry flight on the San Carlos Reservation, northeast of Freezeout mountain. Yearling f644, the only collared yearling in the pack, has been located separately from her parents northeast of Brunt Mountain on the White Mountain Apache Reservation. The status of the remaining yearlings is unknown because they are not radio-collared.

AM190 and AF628 remain together and are using the areas around East Elk Mountain and Black Mountain. Most recently they were located on the Middle Fork of the Gila River.

M555 (Gavilan Pack "B last signal 02/12/00)

F189 (Mule Pack "B last signal 02/02/01)

M627 (Pipestem Pack "B last signal 07/02/00)

On December 12, nine wolves at the Sevilleta Wolf Management Facility were captured and processed for their annual exams which included vaccinations and a general health examination.

Brian Kelly met with Arizona Department of Game and Fish in Phoenix regarding program coordination on December 10 and 11.

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 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. Necropsy results are pending in these deaths.

Investigations into the illegal killing of four other Mexican gray wolves are also still being conducted.

$ Campbell Blue pack alpha female AF174 was shot on August 7, 1998, the opening day of bear hunting season in the Williams Valley area near Alpine, Arizona.

$ Hawks Nest male m532 was found dead near the Arizona/New Mexico state line on November 7, 1998. Death resulted from shooting.

$ Hawks Nest male m531 was found dead on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation on November 23, 1998. Death resulted from shooting.

$On December 18, 2000, Francisco Pack yearling male m590, was found dead approximately "2 mile north of Highway 12, in the Apache National Forest"=s Divide wood cutting area near Aragon, New Mexico. Death resulted from shooting.

Individuals with information they believe may be helpful should call one of these three agencies: Service special agents in Mesa at (480)835-8289 or in 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 the Federal and State