Annual Report on Vital Signs Monitoring of Distribution and Abundance of Wolves in Yukon-Charley Rivers

Burch, John

Executive Summary • Wolf populations have been monitored in Yukon-Charley Rivers national Preserve (YUCH) since 1993. Starting in October 2005 the project was incorporated into the Central Alaska Networks Vital signs monitoring program. From 2002 – 2005 field work on the project was substantially curtailed due to lack of funding. Data from those years should be viewed with caution. • Wolves throughout the greater Yukon-Charley Rivers area are targeted for monitoring of abundance and distribution. Wolf capture was conducted February and March 2006, monitoring radiocollared packs via radio telemetry flights will occur throughout the year with a concentrated period of flights in March – April and again in September – October. All field work is conducted using 1 or 2 biologists and 1 - 3 pilots. • Over the past 3 years the previous wolf study had been reduced to 2 functioning radio collars in 2 packs. In February 2006 we captured and collared 19 additional wolves in up to 9 packs. Future radiotracking flights will better enumerate the specific packs and their numbers. At least 3 packs remain uncollared and we plan to find and capture wolves from these packs as funding allows. • A very preliminary population estimate of 58 wolves in 12 packs (3 uncollared). This estimate will change with future radiotracking efforts. • Eight packs were snow-tracked to initially find them for capture. What was learned from snowtracking (ie. pack identification and counts based on tracks, and general home range) was very different from what was found after wolves were radiocollared and relocated just one time. Snowtracking wolves has potential to produce erroneous information. • No substantial changes in protocol are anticipated for the upcoming field season in winter 2006 - 2007.

Annual Report on Vital Signs Monitoring of Distribution and Abundance of Wolves in Yukon-Charley Rivers

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