At the end of June 2011, the collared population consisted of 24 wolves with functional radio collars dispersed among nine packs and two single wolves. The IFT recaptured AM795 from the Paradise Pack in Arizona this month. This wolf was last located via radio telemetry signals in April of 2010. Photos from trail cameras placed in the Paradise Pack territory since that time have captured some photographs of this wolf; however, the IFT was only able to recapture it in June to positively determine it is still alive and a member of the Paradise Pack. The IFT replaced the radio telemetry collar and immediately released the wolf. Four days after AM795 was recaptured, the IFT collected the telemetry collar of AF1056 from the vicinity of the den site for this pack. As a result, the IFT determined that AF1056 was able to shed its telemetry collar and is still alive in the vicinity of the den site.
In June, the IFT continued with efforts to determine if AM1156 of the Luna Pack in New Mexico was alive and traveling with this pack. The IFT last located this wolf alive via telemetry signals in mid-April. The IFT now considers this wolf to be fate unknown.
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. At the end of June, the IFT determined the following packs are exhibiting denning behavior: Paradise, Hawks Nest, Bluestem, Rim, Fox Mountain, San Mateo, Luna and Dark Canyon. The IFT has confirmed the presence of pups in several packs, including Hawks Nest, Bluestem, Paradise and San Mateo. Three of these packs in Arizona, including Hawks Nest, Bluestem and Rim, were impacted by the Wallow Fire in June. The IFT is working to determine the status of the pups in each pack. No pup mortalities have yet been documented, and all of the packs are continuing to spend time adjacent to den sites.
Throughout June, the IFT located AM806 and AF1042 in their traditional territory in the central portion of the ASNF. The IFT confirmed at least three pups with this pack in May. The den area for this pack was impacted by the Wallow Fire this month; however, the breeding pair continues to remain in the immediate vicinity of the suspected den area.
In June, AF1110 and f1208 continued to use their traditional territory in the north-central portion of the ASNF. The IFT confirmed the presence of five pups with this pack in May. This pack's den area was also impacted by the Wallow Fire. AF1110 and f1208 abandoned the original den site after the fire moved through the area; however, the IFT has continued to locate AF1110 and f1208 in the vicinity adjacent to the den site throughout late June. The IFT will continue with efforts to document the presence of pups with this pack.
Throughout June, the IFT located the Rim Pack utilizing its summer range on the central portion of the ASNF. The den area for this pack was impacted by the Wallow Fire in June; however, all of the wolves in this pack have been documented in the immediate vicinity of the suspected den area. The IFT will continue with efforts to document the presence of pups with this pack.
In June, AF1056 utilized the traditional summer range of its territory on the northern portion of the ASNF. The IFT has confirmed the presence of at least five pups with this pack this month. The IFT was able to recapture and recollar AM795 from this pack. This wolf was last located live via radio telemetry signals in April of 2010. In late June, AF1056 slipped out of its telemetry collar. Efforts to recapture and recollar this wolf will continue as appropriate.
During June, the IFT located this wolf on the FAIR.
Throughout June, the IFT located the Dark Canyon Pack within its traditional territory in the west-central portion of the GNF. This pack has localized in a portion of its territory, indicating the wolves are denning.
Throughout June, the IFT documented these wolves together in the northwest portion of the GNF. They have localized their movements within a portion of their territory this month, indicating possible denning activity.
In June, the IFT located the Luna Pack within its traditional territory in the north-central portion of the GNF. Throughout the month, AF1115 remained localized in a specific portion of its territory, indicating possible denning activity. The IFT has not located AM1156 via telemetry equipment since April. The IFT now considers this wolf to be fate unknown.
In June, the IFT located AM871 and AF861 within their traditional territory in the central portion of the GNF and the Gila Wilderness Area. They too have localized their movements within a portion of their territory this month, indicating potential denning activity. The IFT located f1211 traveling away from AF861 and AM871 in the west-central portion of the GNF during June.
Throughout June, the IFT documented this wolf traveling through the central portions of the GNF. The IFT obtained information this month that confirms that M1155 is now traveling with another wolf.
During June, the IFT located these wolves in the traditional San Mateo Pack territory in the north-central portion of the GNF. The IFT has determined that this pack is denning, and has produced at least five pups this year.
Throughout June, the IFT located this wolf in the north-central portion of the GNF.
In June, the IFT documented this wolf traveling alone through the northern portions of the GNF. Earlier this spring, the IFT implemented capture operations to assist in determining the breeding status of this wolf. During trapping efforts in May, the IFT located a den with five pups. IFT personnel inspected the pups at the den site and collected blood samples for analysis to determine their genetic makeup. Tests indicated the pups were the result of the female breeding with a domestic dog. IFT personnel returned to the den, removed the four pups present, and humanely euthanized them. The IFT has confirmed that this wolf is traveling with a pup-sized canid in June, and efforts to capture this wolf have continued this month.
On June 5, a livestock producer near East Elk Mountain on the GNF located a dead calf on private property. WS personnel investigated the carcass and determined it to have been killed by a wolf. On June, 8 the same livestock producer discovered another dead calf on their property. WS personnel examined the carcass and determined it to have been killed by a wolf as well. Both incidents have been assigned to f1211, which was traveling alone and away from the Middle Fork Pack.
On June 16, WS personnel investigated an injured calf near Underwood Lake on the GNF. They determined the injury to be due to a wolf attack. The calf died on June 20, and the incident is now a confirmed depredation. It has not yet been assigned to a particular wolf.
On June 22, WS personnel investigated a dead ewe in the vicinity of White Mountain Reservoir on the ASNF. The cause of death was determined to be a black bear.
On June 29, IFT personnel located a dead ewe in the vicinity of Norton Reservoir on the ASNF. WS personnel investigated the carcass, but could not determine the cause of death.
On June 22, Project personnel at the Sevilleta Wolf Management Facility captured, evaluated and immunized five seven-week-old pups. The litter consisted of one male (studbook number 1215) and four females (studbook numbers 1216, 1217, 1218 and 1219). All of the pups were healthy.
On June 1, Mischa Larish and Cathy Taylor addressed 20 individuals at the Black Range Ranger District seasonal employee orientation. They discussed identification of wolves, coyotes and feral dogs; the status of the wolf reintroduction project in New Mexico and Arizona; and what to do if one encounters a wolf in the wild.
On June 23, Susan Dicks gave a Project overview to 40 individuals at the Sevilleta Long-term Ecological Research Center in Socorro, New Mexico.