23
Sep
Mexican Wolf Reintroduction Project News
Endangered Species Updates
September 17, 2019
Mexican Wolf Recovery Program Monthly Update
August 1-31, 2019
The following is a summary of Mexican Wolf Reintroduction Project (Project) activities in the Mexican Wolf Experimental Population Area (MWEPA) in Arizona, including the Fort Apache Indian Reservation (FAIR), San Carlos Apache Reservation (SCAR), and New Mexico. Additional program information can be obtained by calling (928) 339-4329 or toll free at (888) 459-9653, or by visiting the Arizona Game and Fish Department website at azgfd.gov/wolf or by visiting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website at fws.gov/southwest/es/mexicanwolf. For information on the FAIR call (928) 338-4385 ext. 226 or visit wmatoutdoors.org.
Past updates may be viewed on these websites. Interested parties may sign up to receive this update electronically by visiting azgfd.com and clicking on the E-news Signup tab on the top left corner of the webpage.
This update is a public document and information in it can be used for any purpose. The Mexican Wolf Recovery Program is a multi-agency cooperative effort among the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD), USDA Forest Service (USFS), USDA-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services (USDA-APHIS WS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the White Mountain Apache Tribe (WMAT).
To view semi-monthly wolf location information please visit http://arcg.is/0iGSGH.
Please report any wolf sightings or suspected livestock depredations to: the Alpine wolf office at (928) 339-4329, Pinetop wolf office at (928) 532-2391 or toll free at (888) 459-9653. For sightings or suspected depredations on the FAIR, please call the FAIR wolf office in Whiteriver at (928) 388-4385 ext. 226. To report incidents of take or harassment of wolves, please call the AZGFD 24-hour dispatch (Operation Game Thief) at (800) 352-0700.
Overall Mexican Wolf Recovery Program Monthly Update
In August, Catron County, New Mexico, signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Mexican Wolf Recovery and Management as a Cooperating Entity.
Numbering System: Mexican wolves are given an identification number recorded in an official studbook that tracks their history. Capital letters (M = Male, F = Female) preceding the number indicate adult animals 24 months or older. Lower case letters (m = male, f = female) are used to indicate wolves younger than 24 months. A lower-case letter “p” preceding the number is used to indicate a wolf pup born in the most recent spring. The capital letter “A” preceding the letter and number indicate breeding wolves.
Our note: You will notice that some of the wolves also have names associated with their identification numbers. For the last five years we had a Pup Naming Contest for Kids to name the pups born in the Spring. The names that you see are the winning names that we have assigned to the pups. Follow these links for all the entries and results from the 2012 contest, 2013 contest, 2014 contest,2015 contest, 2016 contest, 2017 contest, and 2018 contest.
Definitions: A “wolf pack” is defined as two or more wolves that maintain an established territory. In the event that one of the two alpha (dominant) wolves dies, the remaining alpha wolf, regardless of pack size, retains the pack status. The packs referenced in this update contain at least one wolf with a radio telemetry collar attached to it. Studbook numbers listed in the monthly update denote wolves with functioning radio collars. The Interagency Field Team (IFT) recognizes that wolves without radio telemetry collars may also form packs. If the IFT confirms that wolves are associating with each other and are resident within the same home range, they will be referenced as a pack.
CURRENT POPULATION STATUS
The end of year census for 2018 was a minimum of 131 Mexican wolves in the wild (64 in AZ and 67 in NM). This was about a 12% increase in the population from a minimum of 117 wolves counted at the end of 2017. Annual surveys are conducted in the winter as this is when the population experiences the least amount of natural fluctuation (i.e. in the spring the population increases dramatically with the birth of new pups and declines throughout the summer and fall as pup mortality generally occurs in this period). Thus, the IFT summarizes the total number of wolves in the winter at a fairly static or consistent time of year. Counting the population at the end of each year allows for comparable year-to-year trends at a time of year when the Mexican wolf population is most stable.
At the end of August, there were 30 identified wolf packs (14 in AZ and 16 in NM) and seven single collared wolves. There were 76 wolves with functioning radio collars that the IFT was actively monitoring. Not all of the wolves are collared. Studbook numbers following individual pack names below denote wolves with functioning radio collars.
IN ARIZONA:
Eagle Creek Pack (collared Canyon-M1477)
In August, the IFT continued to document M1477 in the pack’s territory in the east central portion of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest (ASNF).
Elk Horn Pack (collared AF1294, Maximus-m1695, Flow-f1696, and Rapido-f1697)
In August, the Elk Horn Pack was located within their traditional territory in the northeastern portion of the ASNF in Arizona and New Mexico.
Hoodoo Pack (collared Copper-AM1290, Verde-AF1333, Suess-M1681, Daos-F1830, and Shaman-m1789)
In August, the Hoodoo Pack was located within their traditional territory in the northeastern portion of the ASNF. The IFT maintained a food cache as part of a cross-foster effort this past spring and to reduce potential for livestock-related conflict. Hoodoo continued to show behavior consistent with pup rearing.
Panther Creek Pack (Fuerza-AM1382 and Denali-AF1683)
In August, the IFT documented the Panther Creek Pack in their territory in the east central portion of the ASNF. The IFT continued to maintain a supplemental food cache as part of a cross-foster effort this past spring. The Panther Creek Pack continued to show behavior consistent with pup rearing.
Pine Spring Pack (collared AM-1394, Fe-f1794, and Fuerte-f1825)
In August, the Pine Spring Pack was located within their territory in the north central portion of the ASNF. The IFT maintained a diversionary food cache for this pack to reduce potential for wolf-livestock conflict.
Prime Canyon Pack (collared Blaze-AM1471, Faith-AF1488, Everado-m1790, Genevieve-f1791, and Asiza-f1823)
In August, the IFT documented the Prime Canyon Pack within their territory in the east central portion of the ASNF. The IFT maintained a food cache as part of a cross-foster effort this past spring and to reduce potential for conflict. The Prime Canyon Pack continued to show behavior consistent with pup rearing. The IFT continued hazing efforts of the Prime Canyon during the month of August following a livestock depredation on private land and documented nighttime locations of the pack in the community of Alpine.
Rocky Prairie Pack (collared Isra-F1489)
In August, the IFT documented F1489 in the east central portion of the ASNF. The Rocky Prairie Pack continued to show behavior consistent with pup rearing.
Saffel Pack (collared Kiko-AM1441, Lupin-AF1567, and Yuma-f1833)
In August, the Saffel Pack was located within their territory in the northeastern portion of the ASNF. The IFT maintained a supplemental food cache as part of a cross-foster effort this past spring and to reduce potential for wolf-livestock conflict. The IFT documented pups with the Saffel Pack.
Sierra Blanca Pack (collared Rio Espiritu-M1571 and Moon Beam-F1550)
In August, the Sierra Blanca Pack was located in their territory in the northeastern portion of the ASNF. Sierra Blanca continued to show behavior consistent with pup rearing.
Single collared — Crescita-F1686
In August, the IFT documented F1686 travelling with an uncollared wolf in the east central portion of the ASNF.
Single collared Paprika-f1792
In August, yearling f1792 was documented traveling in the northeastern portion of the ASNF.
Single collared Koa-F1668
In August, F1668, formerly of the Elk Horn Pack, was documented making wide dispersal movements in the Gila National Forest (GNF) in New Mexico and in the east central portion of the ASNF in Arizona.
Single collared F1959
In August, F1959 was documented in the east central portion of the ASNF.
ON THE FAIR:
Baldy Pack (collared Essential-AM1347 and Spirit-F1560)
In August, the Baldy Pack was located in their traditional territory in the eastern portion of the FAIR and north central portion of the ASNF.
Maverick Pack (collared Sandy-AF1291 and Llave-f1828)
In August, the Maverick Pack was located within their traditional territory in the eastern portion of the FAIR and east central portion of the ASNF.
Tsay o Ah Pack (collared Aleu-M1559 and Ma’iitosoh-AF1283)
In August, the Tsay-O-Ah Pack was located within their traditional territory in the eastern portion of the FAIR and occasionally documented north of their territory on the FAIR.
Tu dil hil Pack (collared Luna Sombra-F1679 and Poco-AM1338)
In August, the Tu dil hil Pack was documented traveling in the eastern portion of the FAIR.
Poker Pack (collared Journey-F1674)
In August, the Poker Pack was documented traveling in the eastern portion of the FAIR and the SCAR.
IN NEW MEXICO:
Cimmaron Mesa Pack (collared Okami-F1705)
In August, the Cimmaron Mesa Pack was documented traveling in the northwestern portion of the GNF. This new pair did not show behavior consistent with pup rearing in August.
Colibri Pack (collared AM1555)
In August, the Colibri Pack was documented traveling together within a territory in the northern portion of the Gila Wilderness and the southern portion of the Gila National Forest (GNF). The Colibri Pack continued to show behavior consistent with pup rearing.
Dark Canyon (collared Bravery-AM1354, Artemis-AF1456, and Dumbledore-m1717)
In August, the Dark Canyon Pack was documented traveling together within their traditional territory, in the west central portion of the GNF. The Dark Canyon Pack continued to show behavior consistent with pup rearing.
Datil Mountain Pack (collared Matsi-F1685)
In August, the Datil Mountain Pack traveled within their traditional territory in the western portion of the Cibola National Forest (CNF).
Frieborn Pack (collared AF1443, Terra-f1701, and Athena-f1702)
In August, the Frieborn Pack was documented within their territory in the east central portion of the ASNF in New Mexico and Arizona. The IFT captured, recollared, and released AF1443 of the Frieborn Pack during routine collaring efforts in August. The IFT maintained a supplemental food cache near the den and established a diversionary food cache in August to reduce the potential for wolf-livestock conflicts. The Frieborn Pack continued to exhibit behavior consistent with pup rearing.
Iron Creek Pack (collared AM1240, Acalia-AF1278, Avlavis-M1821, Artimis-f1721, Cazador-m1710, and Isra-f1712)
In August, the Iron Creek Pack continued to use their territory in the northern portion of the Gila Wilderness and the southern portion of the GNF. The Iron Creek Pack exhibited behavior consistent with pup rearing in August.
Lava Pack (collared Gunnolf-AM1285, and AF1405)
In August, the Lava Pack was located within their traditional territory in the southeastern portion of the GNF. The Lava Pack continued to exhibit behavior consistent with pup rearing.
Leon Pack (Collared M1824 and Connie-F1578)
In August, the Leon Pack was documented within the northwestern portion of the GNF in New Mexico.
Leopold Pack (collared AM1293 and Cancion-AF1346)
In August, the IFT documented the Leopold Pack within their territory in the northern portion of the Gila Wilderness. The Leopold Pack continued to exhibit behavior consistent with pup rearing.
Luna Pack (collared AM1158, AF1487, and Destello-m1831)
In August, the Luna Pack remained in their traditional territory in the north central portion of the GNF. The IFT maintained a diversionary food cache to reduce potential wolf-livestock conflicts. The Luna Pack continued to exhibit behavior consistent with pup rearing.
Mangas Pack (collared AM1296, Wuna-AF1439, and Filtiarn-M1832)
In August, the Mangas Pack was located within their territory in the northwestern portion of the GNF. The IFT continued to maintain a diversionary food cache for the Mangas Pack to reduce potential conflict with livestock. The Mangas Pack continued to exhibit behavior consistent with pup rearing.
Prieto Pack (collared AF1251)
In August, the Prieto Pack was located within their traditional territory in the north central portion of the GNF. The Prieto Pack continued to exhibit behavior consistent with pup rearing.
San Mateo Pack (collared Survivor-AF1399 and Obol-f1822)
In August, the San Mateo Pack continued to utilize their territory in the north central portion of the GNF. The IFT maintained a supplemental food cache as part of cross-foster efforts and to reduce potential for wolf-livestock conflict. The San Mateo Pack continued to show behavior consistent with pup rearing.
Sheepherders Baseball Park (SBP) Pack (collared Selene-AF1553)
In August, AF1553 was confirmed traveling in the traditional territory of the SBP Pack in the north central portion of the GNF. During August, AF1553 exhibited behavior consistent with pup rearing.
Squirrel Springs Pack (collared F1788 and Pecos-M1349)
In August, the Squirrel Springs Pack was located in the north central portion of the GNF. The Squirrel Springs Pack continued to exhibit behavior consistent with pup rearing.
Whitewater Canyon Pack (Shanna-F1684)
In August, the Whitewater Canyon Pack continued to travel in the north central portion of the GNF.
Single collared M1829
In August, M1829 was documented making wide dispersal movements in the Gila National Forest (GNF) in New Mexico and in the east central portion of the ASNF in Arizona.
Single collared Grenville-m1693
In August, M1693 was documented making wide dispersal movements in the GNF in New Mexico.
Single collared Janus-f1836
In August, f1836 was located traveling alone in the south central portion of the GNF.
REMOVED TO CAPTIVITY (our addition)
Nakaw̩-f1835 from Prieto Pack РCaptured and removed to captivity as part of a management order in March 2019.
MORTALITIES
There were no documented wolf mortalities in August. There have been a total of eight documented wolf mortalities from January 1, 2019 to August 31, 2019.
INCIDENTS
During the month of August, there were 12 confirmed wolf depredation incidents on livestock. There was one nuisance incident reported in August. From January 1, 2019 to August 31, 2019 there have been a total of 106 confirmed wolf depredation incidents and seven probable wolf depredations in New Mexico; and a total of 38 confirmed wolf depredation incidents and one probable wolf depredation in Arizona.
On August 2, the IFT took a report from a woman who believed her horse may have been attacked by a wolf on July 21, 2019 while riding horseback near Gabaldon Campground in Arizona. The woman stated she was riding with a friend when both horses started bucking causing the women to be thrown from their horses and reportedly sustained injuries. The woman stated she did not know what caused the horse to buck and did not see anything. After being bucked from their horses, the women saw what they believed may have been a wolf, described as the size of a large coyote, standing approximately 50 feet away. The woman stated she went to catch the horses while the other remained behind and the animal was never seen again. The following day, the woman observed injuries she believed were bite marks on a hind leg of the horse just above its hoof. On August 3, the IFT conducted a sight visit of the area and did not observe any wolf sign. On August 4, Wildlife Services investigated the injured horse and determined the injuries were not caused from a predator, but were consistent with injuries sustained while the horse was running and bucking cross-country. The investigation determined there was no evidence a wolf had attacked the woman’s horse.
On August 6, Wildlife Services investigated a dead calf in Apache County, AZ. The investigation determined the calf was a confirmed wolf depredation.
On August 7, Wildlife Services investigated a dead calf in Apache County, AZ. The investigation determined the calf was a confirmed wolf depredation.
On August 8, Wildlife Services investigated a dead cow in Catron County, NM. The investigation determined the cow was a probable wolf depredation.
On August 8, Wildlife Services investigated a dead cow in Apache County, AZ. The investigation determined the cow was a confirmed wolf depredation.
On August 10, Wildlife Services investigated a dead calf in Apache County, AZ. The investigation determined the calf was a confirmed wolf depredation.
On August 12, Wildlife Services investigated a dead calf in Apache County, AZ. The investigation determined the calf was a confirmed wolf depredation.
On August 13, Wildlife Services investigated a dead calf in Apache County, AZ. The investigation determined the calf was a confirmed wolf depredation.
On August 19, Wildlife Services investigated a dead calf in Apache County, AZ. The investigation determined the calf was a confirmed wolf depredation.
On August 20, Wildlife Services investigated a dead calf in Apache County, AZ. The investigation determined the calf was a confirmed wolf depredation.
On August 22, Wildlife Services investigated a dead cow in Catron County, NM. The investigation determined the cow was a confirmed wolf depredation.
On August 27, Wildlife Services investigated a dead calf in Apache County, AZ. The investigation determined the calf was a confirmed wolf depredation.
On August 28, Wildlife Services investigated a dead calf in Apache County, AZ. The investigation determined the calf was a confirmed wolf depredation.
On August 29, Wildlife Services investigated a dead cow in Catron County, NM. The investigation concluded the cause of death was unknown.
On August 30, Wildlife Services investigated a dead cow in Catron County, NM. The investigation determined the cow was a confirmed wolf depredation.
COMMUNICATION AND COORDINATION
Throughout the month the USFS Wolf Liaison to the IFT coordinated with the Alpine, Springerville, Quemado and Reserve Ranger Districts to mitigate wolf/livestock conflicts. More than 55 livestock permittees were contacted via phone, email or text to communicate general wolf locations or other wolf related issues to try and reduce wolf/livestock conflicts.
PROJECT PERSONNEL
In August, a student intern from Mexico joined the FWS as a seasonal volunteer technician.
REWARDS OFFERED
The USFWS is offering a reward of up to $10,000; the AZGFD Operation Game Thief is offering a reward of up to $1,000; and the NMDGF is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the conviction of the individual(s) responsible for the shooting deaths of Mexican wolves. A variety of non-governmental organizations and private individuals have pledged an additional $46,000 for a total reward amount of up to $58,000, depending on the information provided.
Individuals with information they believe may be helpful are urged to call one of the following agencies: USFWS special agents in Mesa, Arizona, at (480) 967-7900, in Alpine, Arizona, at (928) 339-4232, or in Albuquerque, New Mexico, at (505) 346-7828; the WMAT at (928) 338-1023 or (928) 338-4385; AGFD Operation Game Thief at (800) 352-0700; or NMDGF Operation Game Thief at (800) 432-4263. Killing a Mexican wolf is a violation of the Federal Endangered Species Act and can result in criminal penalties of up to $50,000, and/or not more than one year in jail, and/or a civil penalty of up to $25,000.
