July 12, 2007

 

Areas indigenous of wolves used to be the most widespread of any mammal on earth. The Mexican wolf is the most highly endangered wolf on earth. The successful reintroduction of this magnificent animal is essential since it is at the top of the ecological food chain. Its absence has caused a significant imbalance in the ecological health of the southwestern U.S. This program has been progressing well since its inception back in the early 1990’s.

 

But this success has not been without obstacles. Much of the controversy stems from the fact that this recovery project is located on public lands called the Blue Range Wolf Reintroduction Area in eastern Arizona and western New Mexico. This has resulted in more wolf encounters than in protected national parks like Yellowstone. This has resulted in a number of wolf losses.

 

Many of these losses are caused by gunshots. The cost of these losses falls on the program. The cost of the small number of livestock losses is reimbursed to ranchers by a private, non-profit organization – Defenders of Wildlife. It’s time that the local ranchers stop their irrational whining and start to put forth some effort to deal with the wolf. It is here to stay, just like Mother Nature intended.

 

Ranching is a business. Any business has to deal with adversarial conditions. If you are to be successful in any business, you must be able to change as the business environment changes. If can’t or won’t adapt to those changes, it’s time to get into another line of work.

 

The wolf populations in Canada are significantly greater than those here in the U.S. In western Canada, ranching is far more prevalent than in the western U.S. For generations, Canadians have been successful ranchers dealing with far more and much bigger wolves than in AZ and NM. In Canada there is over 50,000 wolves. In AZ and NM there is about 60. If ranchers can harmoniously coexist with the wolf in Canada, ranchers can do it here in the U.S.

 

A very similar situation exists in Africa with cattle ranchers and the Cheetah. But the ranchers in Africa are open minded and willing to learn and to make changes to how they herd and protect their cattle. They are not only willing to coexist with a top predator, but are eager to learn how to do it.

 

What the Mexican wolf program really needs now is more room. Wolves are very territorial. As the population grows, these animals are going to need more territory than the program now allows. Early in the formation of the Wolf Recovery Plan, specific recovery zones were established. Dave Parsons, the then Director of the Mexican Wolf Reintroduction Program for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service was practically forced to do this as a concession to the ranching opposition to the program. Today, he says, “It was wrong them. It is wrong now” John Mogart, who is now the program’s coordinator, has made recommendations for expanded recovery zones, but a final decision has yet to made public.

 

The original plan was to have 100 wolves in the wild by 2006. The present estimate is approximately 59 wolves. That would make one think that this program is not a success. But when one considers the political obstacles and the ranching opposition that this program has had to deal with, to be this far along shows a high level of commitment and determination to its success.   (return to the top of page)

Aspen Pack (collared AF667, M863 and f1046)
Throughout June, the Aspen pack continued to use areas north of the Aldo Leopold Wilderness, as well as the eastern portion of the Gila Wilderness. Based on location information, the IFT has documented denning behavior in this pack.

Durango Pack (collared AM973 and AF924)
Throughout June, the IFT located the pair in the northeastern portion of the GNF. On June 29, the IFT confirmed that AM973 and AF924 were involved in a depredation incident of a cow and calf (see “Incidents” below). As a result, the USFWS issued a Permanent Removal Order for AF924. Based on location information, the IFT has documented denning behavior in this pack.

Luna Pack (collared AM583, f1047 and un-collared AF562)
During June, the IFT located the Luna pack in the central portion of the GNF and in the northern portion of the Gila Wilderness. Based on location information, the IFT has documented possible denning behavior in this pack.

Middle Fork Pack (collared AM871 and AF861)
Throughout June, the IFT located the pair in the northwestern portion of the Gila Wilderness. Based on location information, the IFT has documented denning behavior in this pack.

San Mateo Pack (collared AF903)
During June, the IFT located AF903 in the northwestern portion of the Apache National Forest (ANF) in New Mexico. Based on location information, the IFT has documented possible denning behavior in this pack.

M992 (collared)
Throughout June, the IFT located M992 in the west-central portion of the GNF. On June 18 and for the remainder of the month, the IFT located M992 in the vicinity of single F923.

M1038 (collared)
In June, the IFT located m1038 in the northwestern portion of the Apache National Forest (ANF) in the vicinity of the San Mateo pack.

M1039 and f1040 (both collared)
The IFT located m1039 and f1040 south of the traditional Aspen pack home range, in the eastern portion of the Gila Wilderness.

F923 (collared)
During June, the IFT located F923 in the west-central portion of the GNF. On June 18 and for the remainder of the month, the IFT located f923 with single M992.

(return to the top of page)

At the end of 2006, there were 59 wolves throughout the BRWRA (Blue Range Wolf Reintroduction Area) in New Mexico and Arizona. Of those, 46 were born in the wild. At the end of June, 2007 the collared population consisted of 26 wolves with functional radio collars dispersed among 11 packs and five single wolves. This number is different from last month because:

1. The IFT (Interagency Field Team) captured an uncollared female wolf, assigned it studbook number AF1056, and designated it to the Lofer pack;
2. The IFT trapped and removed single f1028; and
3. f1016 of the Saddle pack is now considered Fate Unknown Female, as it has not be located for the past three months despite search efforts. Additionally, location information for single F923 has been moved from “Arizona” to “New Mexico.” Other uncollared wolves are known to be associating with wolves having radio collars, as well as being separate from known packs.
   

Based on location information and wolf observations, the IFT has documented denning behavior in seven packs and possibly in four others.

(return to the top of page)

Bluestem Pack (collared AM806, AF521 and f1042)
During June, the IFT located all pack members on the FAIR. However, on June 11, the IFT located AM806 separately on the ASNF. Based on location information, the IFT has documented denning behavior in this pack.

 

Hawks Nest Pack (collared AM619 and un-collared AF486)
Throughout June, the IFT located AM619 in its traditional home range in the northern portion of the ASNF. On June 4, the IFT recovered the Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) collar, found by a USFS employee, which was fitted on AF486 on January 18, 2006. On June 11, during the aerial telemetry flight, the IFT observed one wolf, determined to be AM619 based on radio telemetry signals. Based on location information, the IFT has documented possible denning behavior in this pack.

Paradise Pack (collared M1044, M1045 and M795)
Throughout June, the IFT located the pack in the northwest portion of the BRWRA on the ASNF. On June 20, the IFT confirmed that an un-collared member of the pack was involved in a domestic sheep injury (see “Incidents” below for more information). In response to this incident and a confirmed depredation that occurred on May 22, the IFT began obtaining three ground locations of the pack per week; erected turbo fladry fencing (a visual and physical deterrent to canids) around the perimeter of a sheep pasture; and is providing updates to the permittee. Based on location information, the IFT has documented denning behavior in this pack.

Rim Pack (collared AF858 and f1048)
Throughout June, the IFT located the pack within its traditional home range in the central portion of the ASNF. Based on location information, the IFT has documented denning behavior in this pack.

f1028 (collared)
Throughout June, the IFT located and observed f1028 with a leg injury near Alpine. The IFT conducted intensive monitoring to assess the injury. Due to f1028’s continued use of the Alpine area and its injury, the IFT attempted to haze it from the area. During the last week of June, the IFT began trapping efforts to remove f1028 because hazing efforts were unsuccessful, and the IFT suspected that f1028 killed a domestic duck on June 23 (see “Incidents” below). On June 28, the IFT captured f1028 north of Alpine and transported the wolf to a veterinarian. The veterinarian treated the foot and predicted the leg will be weight bearing. The IFT plans on transporting f1028 to the Sevilleta Wolf Management Facility sometime in mid-July where it will be evaluated for potential future translocations.

ON THE FAIR: (Fort Apache Indian Reservation)

 

Bacho Pack (collared M990)
Throughout June, the IFT located M990 on the FAIR. Based on location information, the IFT has documented possible denning behavior in this pack.

Lofer Pack (collared AF1056)
On June 23, the IFT captured an uncollared, lactating female wolf on the FAIR. They assigned the wolf studbook number AF1056. The IFT observed evidence and heard howling indicating that there are other adults and pups in the area. Based on wolf observations, the IFT has documented denning behavior in this pack.

(return to the top of page)

June 6: The IFT received a call from the Wolf Investigator in Catron County, New Mexico, reporting a dead yearling cow. The IFT investigation confirmed that a wolf had killed the cow. Based on all available evidence, the IFT assigned the depredation to AM863 of the Aspen pack. This is the first depredation incident for AM863 within a 365-day period.

June 7: The IFT received a call from the Catron County Sheriff’s Office reporting a dead cow discovered by a permittee. The IFT investigation, the same day, revealed the cow died from bloat.

June 7: AGFD employee Dan Groebner investigated a report of denning wolves north of Joseph City, AZ. Through visual confirmation and location of a carcass, the animals turned out to be feral dogs.

June 10: The IFT received a call from the Catron County Wolf Investigator reporting two dead horse colts. The investigator determined that one colt died from dog-inflicted injuries, and the other colt was still in the placental sack. The IFT did not investigate this incident, as all indications were that it was a dog-related attack.

June 11: The IFT investigated a report of a dead calf in Catron County. The IFT investigation revealed that the calf died from coyote-inflicted wounds.

June 11: During the aerial telemetry flight, the IFT observed a dead cow in Catron County. The IFT investigated and discovered a second dead cow. The IFT investigation determined that both cows died as a result of poison weed.

June 20: The IFT received a report of an uncollared wolf observed over a quarter mile from a residence in Apache County, AZ. Two days later, the resident discovered a sheep with canine bite marks on its face. The IFT investigation confirmed that the injuries were caused by a wolf. The IFT determined the age of the sheep’s injury was consistent with the uncollared wolf sighting on June 20.

June 23: The IFT received a report that f1028 had killed a domestic duck in Apache County. However, the owner declined an investigation and the IFT set additional traps in the area.

June 27: The IFT received a report of a dead cow in Catron County. The IFT investigation determined that a wolf killed the cow. Based on all available evidence, the IFT assigned the depredation to AM863 of the Aspen pack. This is the second depredation incident for AM863 within a 365-day period.

June 29: The IFT received a report of a dead cow in Catron County. Following radio telemetry signals, they observed AF667 and f1046 of the Aspen pack in the area. Based on all available evidence, the IFT assigned the depredation to AF667 and f1046 of the Aspen pack. This is the second depredation incident for these two wolves within a 365-day period.

June 29: The IFT received a report from the Catron County Wolf Investigator of a dead cow and calf. The IFT investigation confirmed that wolves killed both animals. Based on all available evidence, the IFT assigned the depredation to the Durango pack. This is the first depredation incident for AM973 and the third depredation incident for AF924 within a 365-day period. As a result of this third incident, the USFWS issued a Permanent Removal Order for AF924.

(return to the top of page)