Wolves believed denning in southwest NM
By JIM OWEN
Daily Press Staff
Three pairs of Mexican gray wolves are “believed to be denning” in
southwest New Mexico, according to a report this morning by the U.S. Fish
& Wildlife Service.
The Pipestem pair “continues to use the Slash Ranch, as well as areas east
of Elk Mountain, north of Cooney Tank, and southeast of Crutchfield,” the
agency wrote.
On April 26, officials confirmed that the wolves killed a calf on a Forest
Service allotment in Catron County, the third confirmed depredation by the
pair since March.
“Project personnel have determined the female is pregnant, and they are
monitoring the pair intensely to determine when and where they will den,”
the agency wrote. “Personnel (then) intend to trap the pair at the den
site to remove them (and return them to captivity).”
The Gapiwi Pack pair was released April 18 from a mesh pen at Lilley Park
in the Gila Wilderness. The female was pregnant at the time.
“They have localized in the release vicinity, and it is believed they are
denning,” wolf program officials reported. “Project personnel are
supplementally feeding the pair until there is evidence they are hunting
on their own.”
The Luna Pack pair, released April 4 at McKenna Park in the Gila
Wilderness, “have localized northeast of (the release area) and it is
believed they are denning,” according to the agency.
The female is pregnant, and personnel are supplementally feeding the pair
until it is known that they are hunting.
The report included updates on 13 other wolves in six packs in Ari-zona.
Officials said there are 16 wolves whose “fate is unknown” because they
have not been affixed with radio transmitter collars, or because no
signals have been received for three months. All but one of the missing
animals are believed to be in Arizona.
Mexican wolves generally whelp from mid-April to mid-May, with an average
litter of four to six pups, according to the agency.
Two litters were born at the Sevilleta Wildlife Refuge about April 13 and
26.
“The litter of five pups born April 13 is significant in that (they) have
all three genetic lineages in them, giving us greater flexibility for
future pairings,” the agency wrote. “We have not been able to confirm the
number of pups in the second litter because the female has dug an
extensive underground den, which we are not able to access to do a pup
check.”
The government is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information
leading to the conviction of those responsible for the recent shooting
deaths of three wolves. The Center for Biological Diversity has put up an
additional $5,000 reward.
The dead wolves were found in November and December in Arizona.
Investigations continue into the illegal killing of four other wolves, in
1998 and 2000.
Anyone with information about the killings may call U.S. Fish & Wildlife
Service special agents in Mesa, Ariz., at (480) 835-8289 or in Pinetop,
Ariz., at (928) 367-5689; or the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish at
(800) 432-4263.
The killing of a wolf can invoke criminal penalties of up to a $25,000
fine and six months in jail, or a civic penalty of up to $10,000.