Gray Wolf Re-Wilds the North Rim of Grand Canyon

After a nearly 70 year absence from Northern Arizona following a massive extermination attempt on the entire species, this news is too exciting not to share- right.this.second...

The following is from an article published in the Tucson sentinel moments ago:

Posted Nov 21, 2014, 3:47 pm

Dylan Smith TucsonSentinel.com

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials announced Friday that they've got the straight poop on an animal seen near the Grand Canyon, confirming that a gray wolf from the Northern Rockies is making a home on the North Rim. While biologists were unable to capture the wolf for testing, DNA analysis of the wolf's scat confirmed that she is a member of the endangered species.

The wolf was first spotted north of Grand Canyon National Park in the North Kaibab National Forest, and is the first gray wolf confirmed to be in the area for over 70 years.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued an emergency permit earlier in November to allow researchers to capture and conduct DNA testing on the creature, which observers said resembled a gray wolf.

Officials with Fish and Wildlife, along with those from the Arizona Game and Fish Department and National Park Service, were unable to detect a radio signal from a collar worn by the animal.
Biologists "attempted to capture the animal to collect blood and replace the radio collar," said FWS spokesman Jeff Humphrey. "Those efforts were unsuccessful and have been suspended due to cold weather, as our primary concern is the welfare of this animal."

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