Mexican Gray Wolf Pup Sighted South of Alpine, Arizona

Wolf biologists have confirmed that a Mexican gray wolf in eastern Arizona gave birth to a pup this year, which was observed for the first time on July 15 in the Apache National Forest south of Alpine, Arizona. The pup was seen with its parents, the adult male and female of the Campbell Blue pack, that were released into the wild from a holding pen in the forest on March 29, 1998.

The pup is about 9 to 11 weeks old and is estimated to weigh from 15 to 20 pounds. It is uniformly light brown in color, which is the typical color of Mexican wolf pups at this age. Its parents localized their movements in May around a den, but biologists were not able to confirm that any young had survived until this week. The U.S. Forest Service today closed an area to public use within a one-mile radius around a rendezvous site where the pup is located.

A rendezvous site is a gathering and activity area regularly used by young wolf pups after they emerge from the den, according to David Parsons, Wolf Recovery Leader for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. "Its typical for adult wolves to park pups at rendezvous sites once they leave their den," Parsons added. "Adults then leave the area to hunt and defend their territory, but return to feed their young."

The Campbell Blue pack was one of three family groups released in the Apache National Forest in late March following a two-month acclimation period in holding pens, where they bred. Wolf biologists also confirmed that the adults in this pack recently killed an elk in the vicinity.

"Having a pup survive to this point in the first year of the reintroduction effort is great news," said Nancy Kaufman, Regional Director of the Services Southwest Region. "Its the first Mexican wolf born in the wild in the United States since the 1950s, and is thus a symbol of hope and progress in restoring wolves to their rightful place in Southwestern forests."

"The birth of a wolf pup in the reintroduction area of eastern Arizona is exciting news," said Bill Van Pelt, Arizona Game and Fish Department Nongame Mammals Program Manager. "It demonstrates the potential for success of these efforts."