Officials release report on wolves
At the end of August, there were 27 radio-collared wolves in nine
packs in
eastern Arizona and western New Mexico, according to the latest
report by
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
In New Mexico, the known population includes the five-member
Francisco Pack,
the Luna Pack and Gapiwi Pack pairs; and at least one lone wolf.
“Based on other field data (sightings, tracks, howling, etc.), there are
approximately 10-15 additional wolves, not including pups born this year,
distributed among the nine packs (in the two states), as well as wolves
traveling separately from known packs,” the agency wrote.
Project personnel have documented about 15 pups in five packs,
including
three in the Gapiwi Pack that were observed Aug. 21.
“Field efforts to document pup numbers are growing,” the agency’s
monthly
update stated. “The field team is focusing efforts on Bonito Creek
(in
Arizona) and Luna to determine the status of pups in these packs.”
Personnel are investigating reports of cattle depredations by wolves on
the
Rainy Mesa Ranch, east of Reserve. Attempts have been made to
capture one of
the wolves in the area. Members of the Francisco Pack also have been
spotted on or near the ranch.
Officials “have not documented any depredations involving members of the
Francisco Pack,” the report stated. “After a month of intensive monitoring
and management, traps were removed due to the absence of cattle
depredations, and the wolves had displayed no sign of being habituated to
cattle. Intensive monitoring will continue as long as the wolves are in
the area.”
However, rancher Fred Galley pointed out that members of the
Francisco Pack
were removed from Arizona because they were cattle killers. He said
he has
lost 10 cattle to wolves, and that another four cows have been
injured.
Project personnel determined that two of the injured cows were
attacked by a
wolf, and that a yearling from the Red Rock Pack of Arizona had been seen
near Galley’s livestock.
While the yearling has not been involved in any confirmed cattle
depredations, officials in August observed the wolf feeding on the
carcass
of a cow that reportedly died from either an infection or bear
depredation.
The Center for Biological Diversity criticized what it called
a “politically
inspired attempt” the trap the wolf, stating that its only crimes
were being
“in proximity to cattle” and feeding on carcasses.
Spokesmen for the center have called for ranchers to deal with
carcasses
before wolves become acclimated to eating them.
Personnel recently determined that another member of the Red Rock
Pack,
found dead in June along U.S. 60 just east of the New Mexico border, was
struck by a vehicle.
Surgery was performed in August on a third member of the pack to
repair
broken bones in a hind foot. It is believed that a large animal,
possibly an
elk, stepped on the wolf. She is being held in quarantine at the
Albuquerque
Zoo until she recovers.