Wyoming Gray Wolf Recovery Status Report
From: USFWS Wyoming Wolf Recovery Project Leader, Jackson, WY
Subject: Status of Gray Wolf Management in Wyoming and the NRM
WYOMING WOLF WEEKLY- Dec.22, 2008 through Jan. 9, 2009
Web Address – USFWS reports (past weekly and annual reports) can be viewed at http://westerngraywolf.fws.gov . Weekly reports for Montana and Idaho are produced by those States and can be viewed on the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and Idaho Department of Fish and Game websites. All weekly and annual reports are government property and can be used for any purpose. Please distribute as you see fit.
Annual Reports
The Rocky Mountain Wolf Recovery 2008 Annual Report will be completed by early March 2009 and will be available at: http://westerngraywolf.fws.gov .
Monitoring
Population Numbers (Wyoming outside YNP): >174 wolves (114 adults and 60 pups); 26 confirmed packs; 4 suspected packs; 15 confirmed breeding pairs.
Mortality: A total of 79 wolves died in Wyoming (outside YNP) in 2008. Causes of mortality included: agency depredation control: n=46 (58% of all mortality); individual depredation control: n=2 (3%); individuals killing wolves in the Wyoming Game and Fish Dept. Predator Area: n=9 (11%); under investigation: n=8 (10%); natural: n=3 (4%); vehicles; n=2 (3%); capture related: n=1 (1%); and unknown: n=8 (10%).
Control
On 12/28/08, 2 wolves were killed in a livestock depredation control action after wolves killed a calf on private property west of Meeteetse, WY. Over the last several years, wolves have killed numerous cattle in this area. Four additional wolves were removed on 12/30/082. A total of 3 calves were killed by wolves.
In 2008, a total of 67 livestock (41 cattle and 26 sheep) were confirmed to have been killed by wolves, compared to 71 livestock killed by wolves (55 cattle and 16 sheep) killed in 2007. In 2006, 161 livestock (123 cattle and 38 sheep) were killed by wolves.
Research
On 1/9/08, 2 wolves in the Beartooth Pack, and 1 wolf in the Absaroka Pack were radio collared west of Cody, WY. One wolf was collared with a standard VHF collar and two wolves were collared with Argos GPS Satellite collars used to locate wolves for a University of Wyoming PhD student’s research (Absaroka Elk Project).
Law Enforcement and Related Activities
Nothing to report at this time.
Outreach and Education
Nothing to report at this time.
Further Information
To request an investigation of livestock injured or killed by wolves, please contact the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Wildlife Services at (307)261-5336.
For additional information, please contact:
Ed Bangs (406)449-5225 x204 or Ed_Bangs@FWS.GOV
Mike Jimenez (307)733-7096 or (307)330-5631 or Mike_Jimenez@FWS.GOV
