Conservation groups oppose removal as wildlife managers monitor Mexican gray wolf near Flagstaff | Local

“We knew the wolf had been north of I-40 for several weeks and nobody did anything to remove it until it started hanging around houses and highways,” said deVos.

DeVos stressed that any decision to catch the wolf is made in consultation with other agencies, including the Forest Service and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

“[We’re asking] What is the fate of this wolf if we do not get him to leave the closeness to humans? And from our professional point of view, this is not a bright future, ”said deVos. “In the decision-making area of ​​the fish and wildlife service and the game and fish service, the risk of this wolf remaining in close proximity to humans far outweighs the risk of catching and returning. We catch wolves regularly. “

The wolf was first near Williams Airport and near homes before traveling near homes in Baderville and the Woody Mountain Road area.

Late last week, the satellite collar showed that Anubis had traveled south of I-40, but deVos said they plan to monitor the wolf’s movements for some time to see if it continues to be around people.

If they end up trying to catch the wolf, deVos said they would either try to shoot the wolf with an arrow from a helicopter or trap it in a humane leg trap.

Regardless of what happens to Anubis, Mexican gray wolves could become more common in northern Arizona.