Arizona Game and Fish Department
Mexican Wolf Recovery Program Update
Third Quarter 2023 (July, August, September)
The following is a summary of Mexican Wolf Recovery Program activities in the Mexican Wolf Experimental Population Area (MWEPA) in Arizona, including the Fort Apache Indian Reservation (FAIR), San Carlos Apache Reservation (SCAR), and New Mexico.
Additional Program information can be obtained by calling (928) 339-4329 or toll free at (888) 459-9653, or by visiting the Arizona Game and Fish Department website at www.azgfd.gov/wolf, or by visiting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website at fws.gov/southwest/es/mexicanwolf. For information on the FAIR, call (928) 338-4385 ext. 226 or visit wmatoutdoor.org.
Past updates may be viewed at these websites. Interested parties may sign up to receive this update electronically by visiting azgfd.gov and clicking on the E-news Signup tab on the top left corner of the webpage. This update is a public document and information in it can be used for any purpose.
The Mexican Wolf Recovery Program is a multi-agency cooperative effort among the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD), New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF), USDA Forest Service (USFS), USDA-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services (WS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), White Mountain Apache Tribe (WMAT), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and the U.S. National Park Service (NPS).
To view semi-monthly wolf location information, please visit https://arcg.is/bLyPO.
Please report any wolf sightings or suspected livestock depredations to: the Alpine wolf office (928) 339-4329, Pinetop wolf office (928) 532-2391 or toll free at (888) 459-9653. For sightings or suspected depredations on the FAIR, please call the WMAT wolf office in Whiteriver at (928) 338-4385 ext. 226. To report incidents of take or harassment of wolves, please call the AZGFD 24-hour dispatch (Operation Game Thief) at (800) 352-0700.
Overall Mexican Wolf Recovery Program Quarterly Updates
On August 5, 2023, the USFWS made publicly available the most recent 5-Year Status Review of the Mexican wolf. These reviews are conducted once every five years to make sure all species listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act continue to have the appropriate level of protected status. After review, no change in classification was recommended. The Mexican wolf remains "endangered wherever found, except where included in an experimental population." The 5-Year Status Review can be found on the species profile page in ECOSphere: https://ecosphere-documents-production-public.s3.amazonaws.com/sams/public_docs/species_nonpublish/5358.pdf.
On September 5, 2023, the USFWS posted the Mexican Wolf 2022 Annual Progress Report to its website. This report is completed by the Service with assistance from partner agencies and provides details on recovery, monitoring, and management of Mexican wolves during the reporting period of January 1- December 31, 2022. The report can be found at: https://www.fws.gov/media/mexican-wolf-2022-annual-progress-report.
The AZGFD distributed approximately 500 informational flyers to numerous businesses in local communities in Northern Arizona in proximity to areas where Mexican wolves have been documented in efforts to raise awareness of Mexican wolf identification among hunters.
Numbering System: Mexican wolves are given an identification number recorded in an official studbook that tracks their history. Capital letters (M = Male, F = Female) preceding the number indicate adult animals 24 months or older. Lower case letters (m = male, f = female) are used to indicate wolves younger than 24 months. A lowercase letter “p” preceding the number is used to indicate a wolf pup born in the most recent spring. The capital letter “A” preceding the letter and number indicates breeding wolves.
Definitions: A “wolf pack” is defined as two or more wolves that maintain an established territory. In the event that one of the two breeding (dominant) wolves dies, the remaining breeding wolf, regardless of pack size, retains the pack status. The packs referenced in this update contain at least one wolf wearing a radio telemetry collar. The Interagency Field Team (IFT) recognizes that wolves without radio telemetry collars may also form packs. If the IFT confirms that wolves are associating with each other and are resident within the same home range, they will be referenced as a pack.
CURRENT POPULATION STATUS
The end of year count for 2022 generated a minimum abundance of 242 Mexican wolves in the wild (105 in AZ and 137 in NM). This was a 23% increase in the population from the 2021 end of year count. At the end of 2022, there were a minimum of 59 packs documented (19 in AZ and 40 in NM). Annual counts are conducted in the winter as this is when the population experiences the least amount of natural fluctuation (i.e., the population increases dramatically in the spring with the birth of new pups and declines throughout the summer and fall as pup mortality generally occurs in this period). Thus, the IFT summarizes the total number of counted wolves in winter. Counting the population at the end of each year allows for comparable year-to-year trends at a time of year when the Mexican wolf population is most stable.
WOLF PACK UPDATES:
For each documented wolf pack in the tables below, wolves fitted with functioning collars at the end of the quarter are listed by studbook number. Studbook numbers of wolves without collars or with non-functioning collars are not listed in the pack updates. Not all wolves in the population are collared or have assigned studbook numbers. Captures, mortalities, removals, and food caching are listed in the corresponding column for the given time period. If a pack was food cached at any time within the quarter, the food cache column will indicate the type of food cache. The primary reason for food caching will be noted with “S” for supplemental and “D” for diversionary; the reason for a food cache may change over time.
If a wolf dies, becomes fate unknown, or is removed in the current time period, its studbook number will be removed from the pack column in the following quarterly report. After three months of consistent dispersal behavior away from pack territory, a dispersing wolf is no longer considered a member of its originating pack and will be added to a new row as a single wolf or member of a different pack. Packs that have raised pups in the quarter will be listed as “Yes” in the “Raising pups” column. This will remain for the calendar year if the pack was documented rearing pups in the period of April through September. Any fields that require further comment will be annotated with “*” and further comments are listed in the “Comments” column.
ARIZONA:
If you have problems reading the charts below, click on the chart to open the image on your computer screen. On a phone, use your phone's zoom function (often a pinching motion) to enlarge the images.
FAIR:
NEW MEXICO:
MORTALITIES
Nine Mexican wolf mortalities were documented in the third current quarter (3 in AZ and 6 in NM), which brings the total number of documented mortalities in 2023 to 21 (10 in AZ and 11 in NM). Of the 9 documented mortalities this quarter, cause of death for 2 of the 9 are suspected to be from illegal take. The annual mortality total for 2022 (12) was substantially lower than 2021 (25 mortalities) and 2020 (29 mortalities) and was the lowest annual total of documented Mexican wolf mortalities since 2017 (12 mortalities) when the Mexican wolf population was significantly smaller (minimum of 114 wolves).
GENETIC MANAGEMENT INCIDENTS
The following are investigations of livestock depredations conducted by Wildlife Services during the quarter that were determined to be caused by wolves. Investigations of dead and injured livestock conducted by Wildlife Services during this time period that were determined to be from causes other than wolves (i.e., vehicle strike, illness, coyote predation, bear predation, or unknown cause) are not listed in this quarterly update.
DEPREDATIONS
PUBLIC INCIDENTS
On July 12, 2023 the IFT received a call about a wolf observed in close proximity to a horseback rider in Arizona on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest north of Crescent Lake. The reporting party (RP) stated that they were on horseback when they noticed the animal, which approached within 10 yards. The RP’s dogs barked at it and chased it off. Shortly after, the animal appeared again but seemed to be fleeing the area. The RP’s dogs chased after the animal again and it did not come back. GPS locations showed that no collared wolves were present in the area at the time of the incident. The IFT was unable to determine if the animal was a wolf.
On July 16, 2023 the IFT received a report of two wolves observed chasing a dog on a private property near Springerville, AZ. The RP yelled at the animals, which stopped and looked at them, then proceeded to retreat. The IFT responded and conducted a site visit and investigation. There were no signals from collared wolves in the immediate or surrounding areas, but a single track was located that could have been from a wolf. There were no subsequent interactions or sightings of wolves in this area following the incident.
On July 19, 2023 the IFT received a call about wolves being near a residence in Alpine, AZ. The RP stated that around 3am, they heard two animals howling nearby. GPS locations showed that members of the Prime Canyon pack were in the vicinity around the time of the incident.
On July 24, 2023 the IFT received a call about an ongoing interaction with a wolf in Arizona on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest near the incident reported on July 12. The RP stated that while on horseback, they again saw an animal that approached within 60-70 yards and began to circle the RP and their dog. The RP yelled at the animal causing it to retreat. The RP proceeded to follow the animal and was able to obtain a photo of it. The IFT immediately responded to the area, investigated and found only coyote tracks. After reviewing the photo, the IFT concluded that this animal was a coyote.
On July 29, 2023 the IFT received a call about a wolf being present near a Travel Lodge in Ruidoso, NM. The RP stated that while walking their dog,the animal appeared, seemed unafraid and approached. The IFT determined there were no GPS points in the area and no additional reports from Travel Lodge employees, NMDGF Area Conservation Officers, or the general public. Based on the information, the IFT does not have evidence to indicate the animal was wolf.
On August 3, 2023 the IFT received a report of a wolf observed at the Black Canyon Campground on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest south of Heber, AZ. The RP stated that they saw what looked like a dog off in the trees. They stated the animal remained in the trees at approximately 50 yards from the RP for about one minute then moved out of the area. The IFT was unable to determine if the animal was a wolf.
On August 21, 2023 the IFT received a call from Forest Service Ranger staff at the Lower San Francisco Plaza in New Mexico regarding wolves howling close to an area occupied by livestock and several homes. GPS locations showed that there were no wolves present in area at the time of the incident.
On August 30, 2023 the IFT received a report of a possible wolf near a private residence at the base of Mount Lemmon, north of Tucson, AZ. The RP stated that they let their dog out into the yard and noticed the animal near their fence. When the animal became aware of them, it fled from the area.
Based on the description provided by the RP, the IFT was able to determine that this animal was a domestic dog and not a wolf.
PROACTIVE MANAGEMENT
PROGRAM PERSONNEL
There are no personnel updates this quarter.
REWARDS OFFERED
The USFWS is offering a reward of up to $10,000, the AZGFD 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 additional funding for a total reward amount of up to $37,000, 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 Pinetop, Arizona, at (346) 254-0515, in Chandler, Arizona at (480) 967-7900, or in Albuquerque, New Mexico, at (505) 346-7828; the WMAT at (928) 338-1023 or (928) 338-4385; AZGFD Operation Game Thief at (800) 352-0700; or NMDGF Operation Game Thief at (800) 432-4263. Killing a Mexican wolf is a violation of state law and 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.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department receives Federal assistance from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and thus prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, disability, age and sex pursuant to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. To request an accommodation or informational material in an alternative format or to file a discrimination complaint please contact the Director’s Office at (602) 942-3000 or by mail at 5000 West Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086. Discrimination complaints can also be filed with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Diversity and Inclusive Workforce, Attention: Public Civil Rights and Disability Coordinator, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041.