AITRC, in partnership with the Native Village of Tazlina, received funding from USFWS through the TWG to research the range, distribution, and seasonal diet of wolf packs within GMU 11. Wolf captures began in April of 2024. Due to early breakup and poor snow conditions, the capture work was called early, and GPS collars were not deployed. Capture work will resume in November 2024 and again in March 2025. Through this research, AITRC will initially focus on the area between the Sanford River and the Nabesna River, with approval to conduct research within NPS boundaries north of McCarthy Road. This is an AITRC-led project with an approved IACUC through NPS and research permits from NPS, ADFG, and Ahtna Inc. Once adequate snowfall is available, two AITRC technicians will conduct weekly site investigations of clustered GPS points to collect biological samples and set up trail cameras at potential kill-sites, rendezvous sites, and denning sites via snowmobiles and aircraft. This funding will continue through December 2025, and after the preliminary analysis is complete, additional funding may be pursued, focusing on insights from the ongoing wolf research.

 

Lastly, AITRC requested that a data-sharing agreement be established between WRST and AITRC for NPS-collared caribou and AITRC-collared caribou and wolves through the TWG funding. This will allow for a more holistic understanding of the two species.