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| The Blue Range Wolf Recovery Area |
Through the Endangered Species Act of 1973, a range for the reintroduction of
the Mexican Gray Wolf was established. The range included portions of central
and northern Mexico, western Texas, southern New Mexico, and southeastern and central
Arizona. Within this range are the Blue Range Wolf Recovery Area and the White
Sands Wolf Recovery Area. The Blue Range Wolf Recovery Area includes 6,850 square miles-all
of the Apache and Gila National Forests in Arizona and New Mexico. Elevations range
from 4,000 ft to 11,000 ft. The vegetation of the area includes shrubs
at lower elevations, pinyon and juniper at middle elevations, and a variety of conifers at
higher elevations. The area is estimated to support 57,000 deer and 16,000 elk. The White
Sands Recovery Area includes all of White Sands Missile Range, Holloman Air Force, White Sands
National Monument, San Andres National Wildlife Refuge, and the Jornada Experimental Range.
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The San
Andres and Oscura Mountains are located within the recovery area. Elevations range from 4,000 ft to 9,000 ft. The vegetation includes shrubs, juniper and pinyon, and ponderosa pine. The area is estimated to support 7,500 mule deer and 1,700 gemsbok.
The habitats for the Mexican Gray Wolf include deep forests,
mountains, tundra, and taiga. However, they prefer mountain woodlands. This preference is
a result of the amount of prey, water, and shelter available in such areas.
The animals were most often spotted in pine, oak, and pinyon/juniper forests above
4,500 feet in elevation.
The
soft release method
Prior to reintroduction, the wolves
were taken to sites located in the recovery ranges. For example, wolves were
held in pens near Alpine and Clifton, Arizona. They were fed road kill of native
prey and had very little human contact. This is an example of the soft release
method of reintroduction. The wolves live on the site for two to six months
before being released. After they are released, carcasses are placed near the
sites until the wolves can hunt sufficiently.
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