In mid-March, a helicopter team heading up a moose-collaring task identified what seemed three wolves near Merritt Mountain, north of Elko in Nevada. If those animals had been wolves, it would have been very substantial. It would have been the first wolf pack in the state for over a century. Regrettable they weren’t wolves.
The latest news from the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) is that DNA analysis of the animals’ hair, fecal, and urine samples are 99.9% certainly from– drumroll please– coyotes. NDOW states after the reported sighting, biologists did their own helicopter search, plus ground surveys on snowmobiles.
“In following the tracks through the snow, biologists collected hair, fecal, and urine samples for DNA analysis,” NDOW said in a news release. Once it had samples in hand, NDOW sent the samples to 2 independent laboratories for analysis. The results were conclusive.
“Both labs conclusively reveal no genetic connection to wolf species and reveal hereditary markers consistent with coyotes,” NDOW said.
Do Wolves Stroll in Nevada?
NDOW states wolves periodically cross state lines into Nevada, however it’s unusual.
“Nevada is not a historic environment for wolves, and we’ve had very few confirmed sightings in the state,” NDOW director Alan Jenne informed the Nevada Current in March. “Wolves are not known to reside in the state of Nevada, but we understand that they may occasionally cross state lines for brief durations.”
In March, a crew spotted what seemed three wolves in Nevada– a substantial discover. Regrettable they weren’t wolves.