Because of the boldness of the alpha female towards the horse and rider, project personnel captured the female on April 23 and returned her to captivity, and the yearlings were returned to the acclimation pen. We will attempt to facilitate a bond between the yearlings and the male, who are not genetically related. Ultimately, one of the females could pair with the alpha male. On May 1 f592 dug out of the pen and has since been located with M166. F594 was released from the pen on May 31.
Aerial observations indicate they have made several elk kills in the last three weeks.
Field staff are intensively monitoring the pack to determine the status of the yearlings and whether or not there is an active den this year. Project staff have followed up with aerial flights and ground tracking but have not yet confirmed his location. Project staff are monitoring for kills and to determine if the pack has a successful den. After their release in the Gila Wilderness the pack remained in the area around their release pen near Lily Park for approximately one week. On April 13, M190, m578 and m580 were located by aerial telemetry on a private ranch approximately 5 miles east of the town of Cliff, NM, some 25 air miles from their release site.