ODFW August 2011 Wolf Update
Picture courtesy of ODFW
ODFW Reports of Wolf Activity: Nine wolf reports were received by ODFW during August. Two wolf reports were from the west wolf management zone (sighting reports), and seven from the east zone (2 track reports, 4 sighting reports, 1 howling report).
Field Investigations/Monitoring/Capture:
Imnaha Pack: The pack continues to use their normal summer range area, primarily on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. Of the 478 location data points collected by the two GPS radio-collars during the month, 458 (96%) were on public land and 20 (4%) were on private lands. The pack is spending time in two counties; 378 locations (79%) were in Wallowa County and 100 (21%) were in Baker County. DNA results show that the two wolves lethally removed from the Imnaha pack in May were the offspring of OR-2 and OR-4, the alpha female and male of the Imnaha pack. Four days were spent in the Imnaha Unit surveying for wolves, fresh sign was found or howling was heard on three of those days.
Wenaha Pack: ODFW conducted wolf surveys in the Wenaha Unit on seven days during the month. Wolf tracks and scat were observed on five of those days. In addition, remote cameras captured photographs of three adult wolves on several days. One of the photographed wolves was a previously captured pup (10OR6155) of last year. People can view the photograph of the now adult wolf on the ODFW wolf web page. Reproduction has not yet been confirmed in the Wenaha pack this year.
Walla Walla Unit: All or part of 22 personnel days were spent searching for wolf activity in the Walla Walla Unit. Tracks were observed and ODFW installed remote cameras to continuously monitor the area. Photographs of two different wolves were captured and these photos can be viewed on the ODFW wolf web page. ODFW briefly attempted to trap and radio-collar a wolf in this area during August but was unsuccessful.
Mt Emily Unit: All or part of 24 personnel days were spent investigating new sign of wolves in the northern part of the Mt Emily Unit – north of the Umatilla River. Tracks of what appeared to be two wolves were found on several visits. ODFW installed remote cameras in the area which resulted in photographs of two different wolves. Though wolf activity has been suspected in this area for some time, this new information confirms resident wolf presence in this area. A photo of one of the wolves can be viewed on the ODFW wolf web page. After initial contacts with area landowners, ODFW attempted to trap and radio-collar one of the wolves in August but was unsuccessful. Monitoring and trapping efforts will continue in September.
ODFW collected a suspected wolf scat last May from this area and DNA analysis showed that it was a wolf scat. However, the sample did not match with any previously captured Oregon wolves.
Fossil Unit: Two days were spent attempting to locate the three-year-old radio-collared wolf OR-3, that dispersed from the Imnaha pack in May. He was located once in mid-August (by aircraft) approximately 10 miles east of Fossil on private forest land. There was no visual sighting so it is unknown if he is alone or has found other wolves.
Snake River Unit: ODFW did not conduct wolf surveys in this unit during August. However, a possible wolf scat was collected in the Snake River area during July and was sent off for laboratory analysis to determine if it was coyote or wolf. The results were inconclusive due to the age and dryness of the scat.
Ukiah Unit: Two days were spent in late August surveying for wolf sign in response to a public wolf sighting report. No wolf sign was found.
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