THE WOLVES ARE ALRIGHT

ARIZONA GAME & FISH ISSUES POST-WALLOW FIRE  UPDATE ON MEXICAN GREY WOLF PACKS 
Arizona Game & Fish has issued a press release summarizing the status of Mexican Grey Wolves as of the end of July 2011. Most survived the WALLOW FIRE and many pups have been spotted! Here's a excerpt—the entIre press release may be viewed by clicking on the embedded links.

CURRENT POPULATION STATUS
At the end of July 2011, the collared population consisted of 24 wolves with functional radio collars dispersed among ten packs and three single wolves.  Some other uncollared wolves are known to be associating with radio-collared wolves, and others are separate from known packs. 
Seasonal note:  During the past three months, the IFT has been actively monitoring wolf packs to determine if females are denning in order to document wild-born pups and estimate their survival.  At the end of July, the IFT determined the following packs have produced pups during this year’s denning season:  Paradise, Hawks Nest, Bluestem, San Mateo, Luna and Middle Fork.  Three other packs, Fox Mountain, Dark Canyon and Rim, have displayed denning behavior; however, the IFT has been unable to confirm the presence of pups with these packs.  Three of these packs in Arizona, including Hawks Nest, Bluestem and Rim, were impacted by the Wallow Fire in June.  At least two pups from the Bluestem Pack and six pups from the Hawks Nest Pack were documented alive after the fire impacts had subsided.  The IFT is working to determine if any pups from the Rim Pack are currently traveling with that pack.
IN ARIZONA:
Bluestem Pack (collared AM806 and AF1042)Throughout July, the IFT located AM806 and AF1042 in their traditional territory in the central portion of the ASNF.  The IFT confirmed at least two pups with this pack in July.  Their den area was impacted by the Wallow Fire earlier this summer.    
Hawks Nest Pack (collared AF1110 and f1208)In July, AF1110 and f1208 continued to use their traditional territory in the north-central portion of the ASNF.  The IFT confirmed the presence of six pups with this pack in July.  This pack’s den area was impacted by the Wallow Fire; however, the IFT has continued to locate AF1110 and f1208 in the vicinity adjacent to the original den site throughout July. 
 Rim Pack (collared AM1107, AF858, f1187 and f1213)Throughout July, the IFT located the Rim Pack utilizing its summer range on the central portion of the ASNF.  The den area for this pack was impacted by the Wallow Fire, also.  The IFT has been unable to document the presence of any pups with this pack in July.
Paradise Pack (collared AM795) In July, AM795 utilized the traditional summer range of its territory on the northern portion of the ASNF.  The IFT has confirmed the presence of at least five pups with this pack this month. 

The following is a summary of Mexican Wolf Reintroduction Project (Project) activities in Arizona on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests (ASNF) and Fort Apache Indian Reservation (FAIR) and in New Mexico on the Apache National Forest (ANF) and Gila National Forest (GNF).  Non-tribal lands involved in this Project are collectively known as the Blue Range Wolf Recovery Area (BRWRA).  Additional Project 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 http://www.azgfd.gov/wolf or by visiting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website at http://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/mexicanwolf.  Past updates may be viewed on either website, or interested parties may sign up to receive this update electronically by visiting http://www.azgfd.gov/signup.  This update is a public document and information in it can be used for any purpose.  The Reintroduction Project is a multi-agency cooperative effort among the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AGFD), New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF), USDA Forest Service (USFS), USDA-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services (USDA-APHIS WS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the White Mountain Apache Tribe (WMAT).  Other entities, including private individuals and nongovernmental organizations, cooperate through the Project’s Adaptive Management Work Group (AMWG) that meets periodically in Arizona and New Mexico.
To view weekly wolf telemetry flight location information or the 3-month wolf distribution map, please visit http://www.azgfd.gov/wolf.  On the home page, go to the “Wolf Location Information” heading on the right side of the page near the top and scroll to the specific location information you seek.
Please report any wolf sightings or suspected livestock depredations to:  (928) 339-4329 or toll free at (888) 459-9653.  To report incidents of take or harassment of wolves, please call the AGFD 24-hour dispatch (Operation Game Thief) at (800) 352-0700.