Lost Wolf Returns
	From the 2000

By JIM OWEN
Daily Press Staff

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Sunday recaptured a yearling wolf that had become separated from its pack.

The male wolf, born last spring to the Mule Pack, was darted from the air five or six miles east of the Tyrone mine, said Vicki Fox of the federal agency.

The animal was taken to the Sevilleta Wildlife Refuge near Socorro. It has not been decided whether to reunite the wolf with the pack.

The Mule Pack's alpha female is denning in the Gila Wilderness with an unknown number of pups that were born the first week in April. Officials expect to be able to observe the pups when they emerge from the den, probably within two weeks.

The pack also consists of an alpha male and a second yearling male.

At the end of the month, the alpha male may be recaptured and returned to the den, where the alpha female has been uncharacteristically left alone, according to Fox.

"We're hoping his paternal instincts would return without the distraction of the two yearlings, and he would stay with the female," she said.

In the meantime, Fish and Wildlife officials continue to supplementally feed the alpha female.

The adult pair of the Pipestem Pack (the other group of wolves released this spring into the Gila Wilderness) are "moving back and forth between White Creek and Cliff," Fox reported this morning.

The pair were spotted last week by several people in the Gila Hot Springs area, where the wolves came in contact with some dogs. They did not attack the dogs or people, but their presence was a cause of concern for livestock producers and pet owners in the area.

More recently, a camper reported to the Wilderness Ranger District that he saw wolves (apparently the Pipestem Pack pair) near the White Creek cabin.

"He was excited," Fox said. "He thought it was pretty incredible that he was able to see them."

The Pipestem Pack also consists of three yearlings that survive from last year's six-pup litter.

"They may be hanging out near the den site, near their release pens (in the wilderness)," Fox said.

It is unknown whether the Pipestem Pack had any pups this spring, she added.

Fox said all the wolves are "in good physical shape."

The Pipestem Pack reportedly killed a bull and pregnant cow on Bud Collins' ranch northwest of Glenwood, but there have been no conflicts with animals or people since the wolves were translocated to the Gila Wilderness.

The Mule Pack has not been involved in any livestock depredation, according to the Fish and Wildlife Service.

Comment on this topic here

webmaster?subject=3%20Options%20For%20Wolves">