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Mexican Wolf--current population and management info

 
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azbackpackr
Hi Tech Wizardess




Joined: 31 Dec 2005
Posts: 3639
Location: Needles CA

PostPosted: 5/9/2009, 7:10 am    Post subject: Mexican Wolf--current population and management info Reply to topic Reply with quote

This is from AZ Game and Fish. FYI "FAIR" is Fort Apache Indian Reservation. Also known as White Mtn. Apache IR. I like to keep posting info about the wolves since the topic doesn't make the newspapers as often as it used to.

CURRENT POPULATION STATUS

At the end of April 2009, the collared population consisted of 27 wolves with functional radio collars dispersed among 10 packs and five single wolves. Some other uncollared wolves are known to be associating with radio-collared wolves, and others are separate from known packs.

Seasonal note: Wolf pups are generally born between mid-April and mid-May. During the upcoming months, the IFT will be actively monitoring wolf packs to determine if females are denning in order to document wild-born pups and estimate their survival.

IN ARIZONA:

Bluestem Pack (AM806 and AF1042)
The IFT located AM806 and F1042 in their traditional territory in the central portion of the ASNF in Arizona. Throughout the first half of April, the IFT located AF521 separately from the other Bluestem Pack members. This wolf traveled through the western portion of the GNF in New Mexico in early April. Later in the month, the IFT documented AF521 in the central portion of the ASNF in Arizona. The IFT now considers F1042 the new alpha female of the Bluestem Pack. AF521 is now considered a single animal.

Hawks Nest Pack (collared AM1044, AF1110 and mp1155)
Throughout April, the IFT located the Hawks Nest Pack in its traditional territory on the central portion of the ASNF.

Rim Pack (collared AF858 and AM1107)
Throughout April, the IFT located the Rim Pack within its traditional home range in the central portion of the ASNF.

M619 (collared)
During April, the IFT located M619 in the north-central portions of the ASNF.

F521 (collared)
Throughout the first half of April, the IFT located F521 separately from the other Bluestem Pack members. In the first part of April, this wolf traveled through the western portion of the GNF in New Mexico. Later in the month, the IFT documented F521 in the central portion of the ASNF in Arizona. F521 is now considered a single animal.

ON THE FAIR:

Paradise Pack (collared AM795 and AF1056)
During April, the IFT located the Paradise Pack in its traditional territory on the northern portions of the ASNF and the FAIR.

Bacho Pack (collared AM990 and fp1154)
Throughout April, the IFT located the Bacho Pack within its traditional territory on the FAIR.

Lofer Pack
The IFT did not document any new members of the Lofer Pack in April. The IFT now considers this pack defunct. The IFT will continue efforts to document other wolves in the traditional Lofer pack territory.

IN NEW MEXICO:

Dark Canyon (collared AM992 and AF923)
Throughout April, the IFT located the Dark Canyon Pack within its traditional territory on the west-central portion of the GNF.

Luna Pack (collared M1156)
Throughout April, the IFT located Luna Pack M1156 in its traditional territory in the central portion of the GNF. As a reminder, the IFT lost the signal with the radio collar on F1118 in February, and this wolf’s status is now considered fate unknown.

Middle Fork Pack (collared AM871 and AF861)
Throughout April, the IFT located the Middle Fork Pack within its traditional territory in the northern portion of the Gila Wilderness and central portion of the GNF.

San Mateo Pack (collared AF903 and AM1114)
Throughout April, the IFT located the San Mateo Pack within its traditional territory in the north-central portion of the GNF.

Fox Mountain Pack (collared AM1038, mp1157, mp1158 and mp1161)
Throughout April, the IFT located the Fox Mountain Pack in the western portion of the GNF.

Laredo (collared F1028)
During April, the IFT documented F1028 in the central portion of the GNF.

F1115 (collared)
Throughout April, the IFT documented F1115 in the north-central portion of the Gila Wilderness, as well as the central portion of the GNF.

F1106 (collared)
During April, the IFT located F1106 in the east-central portion of the GNF.

MORTALITIES

The IFT did not document any wolf mortalities during March.

INCIDENTS

The IFT investigated one potential livestock depredation incident during April. The summary is as follows:

On April 15, IFT personnel investigated a report of a dead calf in New Mexico near Highway 60 and the Arizona state line. The results of the investigation indicate that the calf was killed by a coyote.

CAPTIVE MANAGEMENT

Personnel at the Sevilleta Wolf Management Facility documented the birth of a litter of pups to AF749. This wolf, along with its mate, AM660, and last year’s yearling pups, m1130 and m1133, are scheduled to be released in Arizona in July 2009. The proposed release site is Engineer Springs, pending a site investigation by the IFT to determine overall habitat recovery from wildfires in the immediate area that occurred in 2008.

On April 10, IFT personnel assisted staff at Sevilleta in capturing and handling 10-week-old female pup 1167 for a veterinary examination, as well as routine vaccinations. Project personnel also captured F638, M730 and M731, and transferred them to the Rio Grande Zoo.

COMMUNICATION AND COORDINATION

On April 2, Paula Capece met with a permittee and Range Conservation Technician from the Quemado Ranger District to discuss the wolf program and proactive management options.

On April 11, Chris Bagnoli and Jeff Dolphin presented a Project overview and radio telemetry workshop to 15 Arizona State University students at the Sipe White Mountain Wildlife Area in Arizona.

On April 13, Paula Capece met with a permittee in the Quemado Ranger District to discuss the wolf program and proactive management options.

On April 28, Paula Capece and Cathy Taylor met with a group of permittees in the Quemado Ranger District to discuss the wolf program.

On April 29, project personnel presented a project overview to nine individuals from a civic organization located in Buckeye, Arizona, at the WMAT Game and Fish Offices in Whiteriver.

On April 29, Maggie Dwire participated in the Junior Achievement Job Shadow event at the Rio Grande Nature Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

On April 30, Paula Capece and Cathy Taylor met with two separate permittees operating on the Reserve Ranger District to discuss the wolf program.

PROJECT PERSONNEL

Beth Wojcik, a technician with New Mexico Department of Fish and Game, left her position with the Project this month. Beth was a tremendous asset, and her efforts will be missed. Thanks for all your hard work, Beth!

REWARDS OFFERED

The USFWS is offering a reward of up to $10,000, the AGFD 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 $40,000 for a total reward amount of up to $52,000, 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.
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Nighthiker





Joined: 05 Jan 2003
Posts: 1714

PostPosted: 5/10/2009, 9:58 pm    Post subject: Reply to topic Reply with quote

Been hearing reports of grizzlies in your area, any info, azbackpacker ?
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azbackpackr
Hi Tech Wizardess




Joined: 31 Dec 2005
Posts: 3639
Location: Needles CA

PostPosted: 5/11/2009, 5:02 am    Post subject: Reply to topic Reply with quote

That has to be total moopoo, where the heck did you hear that one? The locals wouldn't know a griz if it bit them in the kazoo. They think there are "brown bears" and "black bears" and "cinnamon bears" around here, and they don't even know that the species is collectively called "black bear" no matter what color the fur is. I have had this conversation over the years with various locals--they all seem to believe it's a different kind of bear if its fur happens to be brown.

On the other hand, if the info didn't come from a local, what source did it come from? A believable source?
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Arizonaheat
Got Supes Juice?




Joined: 04 Jan 2003
Posts: 1741
Location: Mesa, AZ

PostPosted: 5/11/2009, 6:43 pm    Post subject: Reply to topic Reply with quote

Peek-a-boo I see you!

As you can see, I don't wear no stinkin collar, I'm a Wild Thang




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Our lives are not determined by what happens to us but by how we react to what happens, not by what life brings to us, but by the attitude we bring to life.
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azbackpackr
Hi Tech Wizardess




Joined: 31 Dec 2005
Posts: 3639
Location: Needles CA

PostPosted: 5/11/2009, 6:57 pm    Post subject: Reply to topic Reply with quote

They sure are gorgeous critters! Thanks for putting the photo up! Wonder how its ear got that cut on it?
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wanderingsoul





Joined: 19 Jul 2004
Posts: 2285
Location: Gilbert AZ

PostPosted: 5/11/2009, 7:00 pm    Post subject: Reply to topic Reply with quote

What a beautiful animal, but best not to try to pet it.
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Arizonaheat
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Joined: 04 Jan 2003
Posts: 1741
Location: Mesa, AZ

PostPosted: 5/11/2009, 7:17 pm    Post subject: Reply to topic Reply with quote

here is another recent one.




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CatValet
Got Gear?




Joined: 04 Jan 2003
Posts: 735
Location: Scottsdale

PostPosted: 5/11/2009, 11:51 pm    Post subject: Reply to topic Reply with quote

I would not believe any reports of Griz in Eastern AZ or Western NMex. Too many hikers and hunters thereabouts to not find any sign. I agree that sitings must be black bears in a brown phase.

On the other hand, areas in the San Juans , South San Juans, and even across the line near Chama, NM might still be a possibility. There have been scat and hair samples with DNA that is mighty suspicious. Thoughts of Brer' Griz at Escudilla or in the Gila is a nice idea but I think not.
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azbackpackr
Hi Tech Wizardess




Joined: 31 Dec 2005
Posts: 3639
Location: Needles CA

PostPosted: 5/12/2009, 4:09 am    Post subject: Reply to topic Reply with quote

I haven't heard any stories myself, but will ask around. I hope Nighthiker gets back to us with where he heard about it. I have heard about the San Juans, have read that book about it by Rick Bass. It's a long way through the desert for any to have migrated down here.

Another super photo, AZ Heat!
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Nighthiker





Joined: 05 Jan 2003
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PostPosted: 5/14/2009, 11:15 am    Post subject: Reply to topic Reply with quote

No additional/update yet. In the meantime can you get somebody to open a gas station large enough in Springerville/Eager where my spare tire does not stick out in the street when I fill up.
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azbackpackr
Hi Tech Wizardess




Joined: 31 Dec 2005
Posts: 3639
Location: Needles CA

PostPosted: 5/14/2009, 12:51 pm    Post subject: Reply to topic Reply with quote

Heh heh. So which one do you usually go to? I go either to Express fuels in Eagar or Conoco/Mustang in Springerville. They seem big enough to me, except when there are toy haulers and horse trailers in there.
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