Lone Gray Wolf Outfoxing Biologists Trying To Find It
	Compliments of March 2000

The lone wolf, labeled # 555 by the Mexican gray wolf recovery team, is apparently outfoxing biologists trying to locate it in northern Catron County.

The wolf, which wandered off on its own from the Gavilan Pack on the New Mexico-Arizona border in January, was seen in the Datil area last week. Unable to pick up radio signals, biologists have a not known #555's whereabouts since late February.

A resident reportedly saw the wolf chasing two Elk across the road last Thursday about 8 mi. south of Datil. It's yellow radio collar was visible, and a wolf and elk tracks were later found at the site.

"It's the best lead we've had," said interim Wolf team leader Wendy Brown. She said trapper Alan Armistead went to Datil on the weekend to verify the siting and then trapped the two-year old wolf, affectionately known by some in Catron County has the "Triple Nickel. "

The Wolf left its pack and headed east, into the Gila National Forest in January. Signals from its radio collar were picked up in early February near Snow Lake. Then, in late February, #555 was seen trying to bring down an elk in the Collins Park area north of Reserve.

Because of the malfunctioning radio collar, the wolf has not been heard of for more than a month as it traveled almost 30 miles from Collins Park to Datil.

Brown said the wolf's malfunctioning radio collar transmitter needs to be replaced and the animal will be moved to the wolf recovery area, which encompasses the Apache-Sitgreaves and Gila National Forests

All but the alpha male member of the Gavilan pack are scheduled to be released in the Gila wilderness. The pack, linked to several cattle depredations, was moved from Smoothing Iron Mesa west of Glenwood to Ted Turner's Ladder Ranch. The alpha male will remain in the captive breeding facility.

Ranchers and officials in Grants and Catron Counties have opposed the wolves being moved into the Gila wilderness. U.S. Rep. Joe Skeen, who's district includes the Gila Forest, also blasted the federal program for going ahead with releases in spite of mounting public opposition and fears.

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