Wildlife Specialist report

Wide Ranging Carnivores
Table19: Wide-ranging carnivore species selected to be analyzed and rationale for
selection
Species Analyzed Rationale For Selection
Mexican gray wolf Federally listed as Endangered with a designation of Experimental Population
Mountain lion Game species identified as species of concern during scoping
Black bear Game species identified as species of concern during scoping
Claar et al. (1999) document that research related to recreational impacts to carnivores is
lacking. They do go on to state that increased access into remote habitats is a concern,
particularly to carnivore species that usually seek secluded areas. As with ungulates,
motorized/recreation effects to wide-ranging carnivores can be grouped into two analysis
factors:
1. A greater potential for harvest/direct effects, and/or
2. Disturbance/indirect effects, avoiding or changing behavior in the area adjacent to where
these type activities are occurring.
The literature documenting potential disturbance distances from different road types or
traffic levels to wide-ranging carnivores is lacking. Some literature exists for potential
disturbance distances for black bears. For wolves and mountain lions, the literature
related to recreation/motorized use effects is associated with road densities. Road density
is the indicator that is used to analyze the potential for harvest under the different
alternatives. Road density is be used to analyze the potential for disturbance to wolves
and mountain lions. To analyze disturbance effects of motorized activities to black bears,
this analysis uses potential disturbance zone (see black bear write-up). For habitat
generalists like wide-ranging wolves, the analysis indicators analyzed the change in 5 th -
code watersheds by alternative compared to the existing condition. For the black bear and
mountain lion, the analysis indicators analyze the change in core habitats as mapped by
the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.
Mexican Gray Wolf (Federally Listed as endangered with a designation of
Experimental Population on the Gila) - Claar et al. (1999) states that wolves are habitat
generalist and are a very resilient species that can coexist with people if they are tolerated
by humans. They are an intelligent species, which allows individuals to adapt to
different levels of disturbance. Individuals may be very sensitive to human disturbance,
but others tolerate disturbance. These traits between different individuals make it
difficult to evaluate the overall affects of recreational activities (Claar et al. 1999). Much
of the literature shows a strong negative relationship between wolves and increased road
densities (Claar et al. 1999, Thiel 1985, and Mech et al. 1988). Researchers have found
that when road densities exceed about 1 mile/mi² (1.6 km/0.9 km radius circle) wolves
were displaced or avoided the area (Mech et al. 1988 and Thiel 1985). However, Claar et
al. (1999) states that findings from many of these studies that looked at large well
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