Wendy M. Brown, David R. Parsons, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, PO Box 1306, Albuquerque, NM 87103, USA; Valpa J. Asher, Arizona Game and Fish Department, PO Box 856, Alpine, AZ 85920, USA; Nick Smith, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, PO Box 101, Quemado, NM 87829, USA; Alan R. Armistead, USDA Wildlife Services, PO Box 1017, Eager, AZ 85925, USA

Mexican gray wolves were completely extirpated from the wild in the United States and possibly throughout their range. After over 25 years of captive breeding and seven years of public process, captive-reared Mexican gray wolves were first reintroduced to the wild in south-central Arizona in March 1998. As of September, 1999, 34 wolves had been reintroduced and twenty-two in five packs were free ranging. In 1998, eleven wolves in three family groups were acclimated for approximately 2 months in traditional chain link soft-release pens. Supplemental food was provided for approximately 2 months after release. All three packs apparently denned. Only one living pup was observed; it disappeared at approximately 14 weeks of age after its mother was shot and killed. All subadult females dispersed from their natal packs within 70 days of release in 1998. Successful hunting of large game (elk) was documented in one pack 23 days after release. Of the initial 11 wolves released, 5 were shot, one disappeared, and three were returned to captivity for management purposes. No livestock were lost the first year. Four shootings and one disappearance occurred after various big game hunting seasons began in August. The two remaining alpha males were recaptured and successfully re-paired with new mates and released. Efforts in 1999 focused on increased hunter education, law enforcement, and on placing wolves in more remote areas to reduce the potential for illegal shooting. A new technique was developed for building acclimation pens out of highly portable materials and transporting wolves on pack mules. To increase pup survival, some wolves were held in acclimation pens through the whelping period and all were supplementally fed through the early pup-rearing period. Thirteen pups were produced by 3 packs (8 in acclimation pens on the forest and 5 by a free-roaming pack). Four additional pups were released with their parents after a brief acclimation period. Only one pair failed to reproduce. Release areas used in 1999 were more remote from human habitation but had higher numbers of livestock and lower prey densities. Deer were the primary native prey available. Five cattle depredations were documented by two packs by September 1999. Parvo virus was documented in one free-ranging pack, causing the deaths of three pups. One yearling female was struck and killed by a vehicle. No shooting deaths occurred between November 1998 and September 1999.