Annual report on vital signs monitoring of wolf (Canis lupus) distribution and abundance in Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve, Central Alaska Network: 2012 report

Burch, John

Executive Summary: Wolf populations have been monitored in Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve (YUCH) from March 1993 to present. Beginning October 2005 the project was incorporated into Central Alaska Network (CAKN) Vital signs monitoring program as a cost shared venture. Wolves throughout Yukon-Charley Rivers area are targeted for monitoring of abundance and distribution. All monitored packs routinely travel outside the Preserve, some extensively. This past winter, wolf captures were conducted in November 2011 and March 2012. Monitoring radio collared 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. In winter 2011-2012, eight more wolves in 6 packs were captured and collared. Two packs, Snowy Peak and Sheep Bluff packs, were found by snowtracking. There are at least 2 areas (Washington Creek and Webber Creek) are known to be occupied by wolves, but remains without collared wolves. Hopefully wolves from this pack can be found and captured in winter 12-13. A different measure was chosen 2 years ago to help make wolf management decisions quickly: the drop in counts of wolves from fall (September/October) to Spring (March and April). This year the counts dropped from 71 to 54 wolves, a decline of 24% which is in the middle of normal range of 15 previous years of data not thought to be influenced by predator control. This includes 8 wolves from the Lost Creek Pack that were shot from a helicopter in ADF&G’s wolf control. The Fall 2011 wolf density (4.44 wolves/1000 km2) was above the 19 year average of 4.24, this was followed by a spring 2012 density of 3.60 wolves/1000 km2 which is above the 19 year average of 2.85. This was likely due once again to large numbers of Fortymile caribou wintering in the Charley River. Fall 2011 mean pack size was 7.9 wolves/ pack, above a 19 year average of 7.18. Fall 2011 average litter size was 3.2 pups/ pack, below an 19 year average of 3.6 Five wolves are known to have been shot or trapped within YUCH for winter 2011-12, based on sealing records from ADF&G. No substantial changes in protocol are anticipated for the upcoming field season for biological year 12-13 (May 1, 2012 – April 30, 2013).

Annual report on vital signs monitoring of wolf (Canis lupus) distribution and abundance in Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve, Central Alaska Network: 2012 report

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