Valley wolf pack has mange, biologist says
Collaring operation sees 15 animals fitted with transmitters for research.
By Angus M. Thuermer Jr., Jackson Hole, Wyo
February 25, 2009
Biologists discovered mange in a Jackson Hole wolf pack when they were using a helicopter to dart and collar members of three different groups.
All five wolves collared in the Antelope Pack, a group that inhabits the central valley ranging across part of Grand Teton National Park and nearby national forest, had mange, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist Mike Jimenez said. The pack has 11 members, and at least two that were not tranquilized and collared also were observed to be suffering from mites that burrow into the skin.
“I was a little surprised and saddened,” Jimenez said. “It’s one of those things animals have to deal with.”
Wolves can survive the mite, but in harsh winters the irritation from infestation causes them to scratch off hair, leading to potential hypothermia and death. Pups are particularly susceptible.
With the help of Grand Teton National Park personnel, Jimenez also collared some wolves in the nine-member Buffalo Pack. That family uses the Gros Ventre River valley, the northeast corner of Grand Teton and the Blackrock area, he said.
The Buffalo Pack frequently visits state-run elk feedgrounds up the Gros Ventre, but Jimenez said a dearth of snow in that area this winter has precluded the need for feeding. Wolves “don’t key into those feedgrounds when [elk are] not congregating,” he said.
The third pack targeted in the collaring operation is known as the Pinnacle Pack, which uses the National Elk Refuge as its territory. Eleven wolves make up that group.
Jimenez and his team darted a total of 15 wolves from a helicopter during the operation in mid-February. They fitted nine with standard collars that transmit radio signals, six with Argos GPS collars that transmit a weekly report of an animal’s wanderings.
Information is used to understand the dynamics and impact of the animals.
Other packs in Jackson Hole are located near Pacific Creek and Hoback Junction. There are 50 to 55 wolves in the valley on any given day, Jimenez said.
An estimated 178 wolves live in Wyoming outside Yellowstone National Park a pending annual report for 2008 will show, Jimenez said. Inside the world’s first national park, another 124 lived last year, he said.
That population was struck by mange, he said. The mites are spread by contact.
