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Update courtesy Patrick C. Valentino of the Julian Wolf Preserve
Here is the latest from the USFWS on the status of our Mexican wolves in the wild:
Two family groups of wolves have been moved to acclimation pens in recent days. On January 7, an adult pair and their three offspring (two males, one female) from 1998 were transferred to the Engineer Springs acclimation pen. On January 14, an adult pair and their two female pups from 1998 were transferred from the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge to the Turkey Creek acclimation pen. A Forest closure of approximately one-mile radius is being maintained while wolves are in pens to provide isolation and security for the animals.
Both families are being fed on carcasses of native prey and are doing well.
The Campbell Blue male and his new mate #482 have remained together within several miles of the their release site. They are being closely monitored.
The Hawks Nest male and female #486 have remained separate since three days after release. Both have traveled extensively,crossing the border into New Mexico last week. Although the female was traveling in the same direction as the male for the last several days, the wolves were still many miles apart. Project biologists decided to re-capture the wolves and return them to the Campbell Blue acclimation pen to enhance their opportunity for breeding this year. The pair will be re-released after the breeding season. The female was re-captured without injury on January 16. She was feeding on the carcass of a cow that had died from other causes. In spite of the fact that she has traveled extensively and has been on her own since her release from the acclimation pen she was in good condition, weighing only 2 lbs less than she did at capture in captivity. Efforts are now being made to capture the male, who has returned to general area of the Campbell Blue pen.