Annual report on vital signs monitoring of wolf (Canis lupus) distribution and abundance in Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve, Central Alaska Network: 2009 report

Burch, John

Annual report on monitoring the wolf population in Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve, Alaska via radiotelemetry. This report covers the biological year of May 1, 2008 through april 30, 2009. Executive Summary: Wolf populations have been monitored in Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve (YUCH) from March 1993 to present (Burch 2002, Burch 2006, Burch 2007, Burch 2008). Beginning October 2005 the project was incorporated into CAKN Vital signs monitoring program. Wolves throughout the greater Yukon-Charley Rivers area are targeted for monitoring of abundance and distribution. This past winter, wolf captures were conducted in November 2008 and February 2009. Monitoring radiocollared packs via radio telemetry flights will occur throughout the year with a concentrated period of flights each year in March – April and again in September – October. All field work is conducted using 1 or 2 biologists and 1 - 3 pilots. In winter 08-09, 11 more wolves in 6 packs were captured and collared. We had good snow conditions for searching for uncollared packs in 5 areas in February 2009, yet only the 70 Mile Pack was re-found after loosing radio contact earlier in the year. Tracks of 6 were seen in the Webber Creek area, but we could not find the wolves. Old tracks of 2 or 3 wolves were found in the Hard Luck area. In the remaining 2 areas no old tracks were seen indicating that wolf packs may not exist in areas where they once did. At least 3 areas where packs once lived remain without collared wolves and we hope to find and capture wolves from these packs in winter 09-10. The Fall 2008 wolf density (5.86 wolves/1000 km2) marked the highest wolf density measured in Yuch since 1993, however this was followed by the largest fall to spring drop in the population to a spring 2009 density of 2.41 wolves/1000 km2 similar to spring 2008. Fall 2008 mean pack size was 8.3 wolves/ pack. Fall 2008 average litter size was 4.1 pups/ pack. At least six wolves were trapped or snared within YUCH in winter 2008-09 that we know of. ADF&G harvest data is not yet available for 07-08, or 08-09. No substantial changes in protocol are anticipated for the upcoming field season for biological year 09-10 (May 1, 2009 – April 30, 2010).

Annual report on vital signs monitoring of wolf (Canis lupus) distribution and abundance in Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve, Central Alaska Network: 2009 report

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