Mexican Wolf Blue Range Reintroduction Project
Replacement Release Proposal for Arizona 2013 Page 1 of 7
Mexican Wolf Blue Range Reintroduction Project
Replacement Release Outline for Arizona 2013
Draft: September 27, 2012
Replacement Release Objective
This document is intended to outline management options for a replacement release of Mexican
wolves into the Blue Range Wolf Recovery Area (BRWRA) in Arizona in 2013. The objective of this
management action is to release wolves from the captive breeding population into the existing wild
wolf population in Arizona to replace wolves that have been removed from the population due to
illegal and natural mortality following the guidelines from the Arizona Game and Fish Commission
(AGFC) in 2012. Replacement wolves from the captive breeding program will be selected to
maximize genetic diversity of the wild wolf population within the BRWRA.
Background
In January 2012, the AGFC provided direction to the Department’s contingent on the Mexican Wolf
Reintroduction Program’s Interagency Field Team (IFT) regarding any future initial wolf release into
the BRWRA in Arizona. The Commission directed AGFD IFT personnel to consider only initial wolf
releases to replace wolves that were removed from the existing wild wolf population due to unlawful
take of wolves or other natural events such as vehicle strikes, prey interactions, lightning strikes or
other events. The decision to replace wolves that were killed unlawfully would be delegated to the
Director of the Arizona Game and Fish Department. The decision to replace wolves removed due to
other natural events would reside at the Commission level. For the purposes of this outline, only
wolves removed from within Arizona since 2011 will be considered for replacement.
In November 2011, male wolf pup 1242 from the Bluestem Pack was unlawfully shot and killed in
the vicinity of Big Lake in Arizona. In March 2012, female pup 1247from the Hawks Nest Pack was
unlawfully shot and killed in the vicinity of Alpine, Arizona. Both of these wolves were part of packs
that are adjacent to one another in Arizona and could have located each other after they dispersed
from their respective packs. The IFT is proposing to provide replacement wolves for the loss of these
wolves. The options are to release a pair bonded set of breeding age wolves from the captive
breeding program within the Primary Recovery Zone (PRZ) in Arizona or to release a single adult
female Mexican wolf after pairing the female wolf from captivity with an existing wild male wolf in
the PRZ in Arizona.
In July of 2012, breeding male wolf AM806 from the Bluestem Pack was located dead within the
pack’s territory near Big Lake in Arizona. The necropsy examination determined that this wolf was
unlawfully shot and killed. The IFT is proposing a “provisional” replacement release of a single
male wolf from the captive breeding population to facilitate a pair formation with AF1042 from the
Bluestem Pack in the winter of 2013. This replacement release would be contingent on the IFT
determination that another breeding male wolf from the existing population is not traveling with
AF1042 prior to the 2013 annual helicopter count and capture effort in January 2013. If this release
does not occur and the IFT determines that AF1042 has paired up with a male wolf from the wild
population and is displaying denning behavior in 2013, the IFT is proposing to utilize the cross
fostering of wild pups from the captive breeding population to add the pups from captivity to the
Bluestem Pack den to increase the genetic diversity of the pups in this pack.
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Replacement Wolf Release Proposal for Arizona 2013 Page 2 of 7
Each of these potential management actions has positive and negative aspects and they are discussed
in more detail in the alternatives section of the proposal.
Alternatives for Replacement Release Action
Alternative 1 – Corduroy Creek Bonded Pair
Proposed Action
This action would involve the initial release of a bonded pair of naïve wolves in the vicinity of
Corduroy Creek on the Alpine Ranger District. These wolves would be released into a chain link
fence enclosure in April prior to the female wolf whelping pups. The wolves would be kept in the
release pen for several weeks and supplemental feed would be provided to the wolves to assist in
anchoring them to the site until such time as elk calves are present in the area in late May.
There are two provisional release sites for this alternative, Hoodoo Knoll and Fish Bench. These
release sites locations are located north of the Corduroy Creek release site at lower elevations on the
periphery of the Rim Pack territory and will only be considered if the IFT is unable to utilize the
Corduroy Creek release site for logistical reasons.
Associated Management Actions
The Corduroy Creek release site is within the current summer range of the Rim Pack. Currently this
pack consists of AM1107 and AF858. The IFT has not documented pups produced from this pairing
of wolves since spring of 2010. The breeding female AF858 is currently ten years old and the
breeding male AM1107 is at least seven years old. The genetic profile of pups produced by this pair
is not beneficial to the existing wild wolf population. It is likely that one or both of these wolves may
no longer be capable of producing pups. The Rim Pack has been successful in their territory. From
2004 until 2010, AF858 and four different breeding male wolves, an uncollared male, AM992,
AM991 and AM1107, have produced a minimum of 16 pups. Wolves from the Rim Pack have
occupied this territory since 2004 with a minimal level of livestock depredations.
Since it appears that AF858 and/or AM1107 may no longer be reproductively active and the genetic
profile of pups produced by this pair is not beneficial to the wild wolf population, the IFT proposes
the non lethal removal of AF858 of the current breeding pair for this pack to meet two different
management objectives. While AF858 is not genetically valuable for the wild wolf population, the
genetic profile of this wolf is of value to the captive Species Survival Plan (SSP) population of
Mexican wolves. Removing this wolf to captivity would allow the SSP to utilize her unfertilized
eggs for captive breeding operations. Removing AF858 would reduce the potential for aggressive
interactions between the Rim Pack and the new pair of replacement wolves. This would assist in
acclimating the new pair of wolves and their pups into the territory and reduce the competition
between the Rim Pack and the new wolves for food resources in the area.
The release of a pair of breeding age wolves with pups has proven to be an effective method of
initially releasing naïve wolves from captivity. The proposed replacement pair would be allowed to
breed in captivity prior to release into the BRWRA. The wolves would be placed into the pen and
held there until the female whelps the pups to assist in anchoring the new wolves in the area selected
for release and thus decrease the potential for the wolves traveling widely through the BRWRA
immediately after they are released.
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Favorable Attributes:
1. Release area is on large ungrazed portion of Alpine Ranger District. There will be no grazing
in the area adjacent to the proposed initial release site during the summer.
2. The proposed release area and surrounding potential home range has had minimal livestock
depredation history.
3. Prey densities will likely increase due to recent fire impacts to habitat.
4. Release method has good opportunity to successfully integrate naïve wolves into existing
wild wolf population.
5. The release of a pair of wolves with greater genetic diversity than the existing wild wolf
population would help to improve the overall genetic diversity of the entire population in the
future.
Negative Attributes:
1. Proposed alternative will be most successful if one or both of existing Rim Pack wolves are
removed. This may be logistically difficult to accomplish.
2. While the potential for livestock depredation is low in this area of the BRWRA, the released
wolves may come in contact with livestock during the winter months. These wolves will
need to be managed actively during winter months.
3. Release site is just over 5 miles from the San Carlos Apache Indian reservation.
Alternative 2 – Replace wolf AF858 from the Rim Pack
Proposed Action
This action would involve the pairing of a female wolf from the captive breeding program with the
existing breeding male for the Rim Pack, AM1107. These wolves would be placed into the Engineer
Springs enclosure sometime in January and allowed to become familiar with each other. The wolves
would be kept in the release pen for several weeks and supplemental feed would be provided to the
wolves to assist in forming a bond between the wolves. Both of the wolves would be released from
the pen after a period of time and allowed to disperse into the BRWRA. Based on the history of
AM858 and proximity to his normal territory, the IFT expects that this wolf will disperse back into
its traditional territory west of Engineer Springs.
Associated Management Actions
The Engineer Springs release site is adjacent to the current winter range of the Rim Pack. Currently
the Rim Pack consists of AM1107 and AF858. The IFT has not documented pups produced from
this pairing of wolves since spring of 2010. The breeding female AF858 is currently ten years old
and the breeding male AM1107 is at least seven years old. The genetic profile of pups produced by
this pair is not beneficial to the existing wild wolf population. It is likely that AF858 is no longer
capable of producing pups. The territory for the Rim Pack has been productive and been able to
support this pack (AF858 and four different breeding male wolves, an uncollared male, AM992,
AM991 and AM1107) since 2004 with a minimal level of livestock depredations.
Since it appears that AF858 and/or AM1107 are no longer reproductively active and the genetic
profile of pups produced by this pair is not beneficial to the wild wolf population, the IFT proposes
the non-lethal removal of AF858 from the population and the capture of AM1107. AM1107 would
be paired with a female wolf from the captive population. This wolf would have a favorable genetic
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profile that is different from the existing wild wolf population. Both wolves would be placed into the
Engineer Springs holding pen for several weeks to allow them to become accustomed to one another.
The goal of the pairing would be to facilitate the breeding of the wolves within the holding pen.
After these wolves have been together in the release pen, they would both be released back into the
Rim Pack territory. If AF858 is not captured and AM1107 is captured, the IFT would proceed with
the release plan and pair AM1107 with the new female wolf from captivity as it is not likely that
AM1107 would abandon the new female wolf he is paired with to rejoin AF858.
Favorable Attributes:
1. Pairing AM1107 with a new female wolf from the captive breeding program would assist in
integrating a new female wolf into the wild wolf population.
2. The current Rim Pack territory has successfully supported this wolf pack since 2004 with
minimal depredation issues.
3. Prey density in the area should increase due to recent fire impacts to habitat.
4. The critical genetic profile of AF858 would be preserved for recovery efforts in the captive
breeding program.
5. The wolf selected for release into the PRZ will undergo Conditioned Taste Aversion regimen
to potentially reduce the likelihood that the wolf will attempt to utilize livestock as a food
source.
Negative Attributes:
1. The proposed alternative requires that one or both wolves from the Rim Pack be captured
from the existing wild wolf population. This could be difficult to accomplish due to logistical
issues associated with capture efforts.
2. The pairing of two wolves that are not familiar with one another may not be successful. If
this were not successful then the new female wolf would most likely disperse through the
BRWRA and potentially cause nuisance related issues with local stakeholders.
3. The release of one wolf with greater genetic diversity into the existing population would not
potentially improve the genetic diversity of the existing wild wolf population as much as the
release of two wolves with greater genetic diversity.
Alternative 3 – Hoodoo Knoll/Fish Bench Bonded Pair
Proposed Action
This action would involve the initial release of a bonded pair of naïve wolves in the vicinity of
Hoodoo Knoll on the Alpine Ranger District. These wolves would be released into a chain link fence
enclosure in April prior to the female wolf whelping pups. The wolves would be kept in the release
pen for several weeks and supplemental feed would be provided to the wolves to assist in anchoring
them to the site until such time as elk calves are present in the area in late May. Hoodoo Knoll would
be the primary release site for this proposal. The Fish Bench release site would be a secondary
release site for this proposal.
Associated Management Actions
The Hoodoo Knoll and Fish Bench release sites are located adjacent to one another on the periphery
of the current summer range of the Rim Pack. Currently this pack consists of AM1107 and AF858.
The IFT has not documented pups produced from this pairing of wolves since spring of 2010. The
breeding female AF858 is currently ten years old and the breeding male AM1107 is at least seven
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Replacement Wolf Release Proposal for Arizona 2013 Page 5 of 7
years old. It is likely that one or both of these wolves may no longer be capable of producing pups.
The Rim Pack has been successful in their territory. Wolves from the Rim Pack have occupied this
territory since 2004 with a minimal level of livestock depredations.
The IFT is proposing this alternative in the event that Alternatives 1 or 2 are not viable because the
IFT is unable to capture either AF858 or AM1107 of the Rim Pack during the January helicopter
capture effort and the IFT is able to document the presence of both wolves traveling together in their
traditional territory.
While this alternative involves the release of a pair of wolves on the periphery of the Rim Pack
territory, the IFT believes that this alternative will allow a replacement release of two Mexican
wolves from the captive breeding population in a portion of the BRWRA that would allow the new
wolves a good opportunity to successfully establish a territory in an area with ample prey and
relatively few permitted livestock numbers.
Favorable Attributes:
1. Release area is on large ungrazed portion of Alpine Ranger District. There will be no grazing
during initial release effort during the late spring and early summer.
2. The proposed release area and surrounding potential home range has had minimal livestock
depredation history.
3. Prey densities will likely increase due to recent fire impacts to habitat.
4. Release method has good opportunity to successfully integrate naïve wolves into existing
wild wolf population.
5. The release of a pair of wolves with greater genetic diversity than the existing wild wolf
population would help to improve the overall genetic diversity of the entire population in the
future.
Negative Attributes:
1. Proposed alternative will release wolves on the periphery of an established pack. There may
be negative interactions between the newly released wolves and the existing Rim Pack.
2. While the potential for livestock depredation is low in this area of the BRWRA, the released
wolves may come in contact with livestock during the mid summer months. These wolves
will need to be managed actively during this time period.
3. Release site is approximately 5 miles from the San Carlos Apache Indian reservation.
4. Release site is approximately 6 miles from private residences in Beaver Creek.
Alternative 4 - Provisional Release - Breeding male wolf for Bluestem Pack
Proposed Action
This action would involve the initial release or translocation of a single male wolf from captivity as a
potential mate for AF1042 of the Bluestem Pack territory during the month of January. The
Bluestem Pack utilizes the primary and secondary recovery zones within the BRWRA in Arizona
and any wolf translocated under this scenario will need to meet the requirements of the existing 10(j)
rule governing the initial release and translocation of wolves into the BRWRA. A wolf released
inside of the primary recovery zone will be either a naïve wolf from captivity (initial release) or a
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wolf eligible for translocation, while a wolf released in the secondary release zone will only be a
wolf eligible for translocation within the BRWRA.
Associated Management Actions
IFT personnel will attempt to confirm the presence of any potential breeding male wolves traveling
with AF1042 during the winter breeding season, prior to the January 2013 helicopter population
count and capture operation. If the IFT determines that AF1042 is not likely traveling with a
potential breeding male wolf, the IFT will evaluate the options for the release of a wolf from
captivity. These include the following options:
 Hard release of replacement male wolf adjacent to AF1042 in the BRWRA prior to the
helicopter count, or
 AF1042 captured during the helicopter count and then re-released with the replacement male,
back in to the BRWRA, or
 The replacement male could be released into the BRWRA adjacent to AF1042 after the
helicopter count
Favorable Attributes:
1. Pairing AF1042 with a genetically valuable male wolf from the captive breeding program
would assist in integrating a new male wolf into the existing wild population.
2. Pairing AF1042 with a genetically valuable male wolf from the captive breeding program
would increase the chances that the Bluestem Pack would continue to be a viable and
productive wolf pack.
3. This management action can occur with or without the capture of AF1042.
4. AF1042 has been involved in a limited number of probable or confirmed livestock
depredation incidents.
Negative Attributes:
1. The pairing of two wolves that are not familiar with one another may not be successful. If
this is not successful then the new male wolf would most likely disperse through the
BRWRA and potentially cause nuisance related issues with local stakeholders.
Alternative 5 - Cross fostering of wolf pups produced in captivity into the Bluestem Pack
Proposed Action
The IFT is proposing to utilize a technique called cross-fostering to increase the genetic diversity in
the Bluestem Pack in 2013. Cross-fostering refers to applied management actions involving the
removal of pups from the captive breeding population and the placement of these pups into active
wild wolf dens. This operation facilitates the raising of captive born pups by wild wolves. The pups
placed into the Bluestem den will be of a different genetic profile than existing wolf packs in the
Blue Range Wolf Recovery Area and can thus potentially provide important genetic diversity to the
existing wild wolf population.
Associated Management Actions
IFT personnel will attempt to confirm the presence of any potential breeding male wolves traveling
with AF1042 during the winter breeding season, prior to the January 2013 helicopter population
count and capture operation. If the IFT determines that AF1042 is likely traveling with a potential
breeding age male wolf, the IFT will develop a specific management plan for the cross fostering of
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Mexican wolf pups produced in captivity during the 2013 breeding season into the Bluestem Pack
den in 2013. This management option requires the following circumstances and or considerations:
 Bluestem Pack displays denning behavior in 2013 and the den is located in the PRZ.
 Donor pack(s) in captivity must be identified by SSP personnel and allowed to breed during
2013 season.
 Timing of Bluestem Pack whelping must coincide with donor pack whelping date within a
defined period of time.
 Litter size of Bluestem Pack and donor pack must be of the correct size to allow for the cross
fostering operation to occur.
Favorable Attributes:
1. Cross fostering allows the integration of new genetically diverse Mexican wolves to be
introduced into the existing wild wolf population.
2. Cross fostering allows naive wolf pups to be raised by wild wolves and reduces the potential
for nuisance wolf interactions that are associated with the release of naïve adult wolves from
captivity into the wild wolf population.
Negative Attributes:
1. The cross fostering action may disturb the denning activities of the Bluestem Pack and cause
AF1042 to abandon the den.