On March 17, a pilot working with a helicopter capture crew contracted by the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) reported spotting three suspected wolves near Merritt Mountain, north of Elko, during a moose collaring project. The sighting was immediately communicated to NDOW biologists, who then coordinated with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to search the area for confirmation.
Biologists found tracks in the area during their efforts to verify the sighting. The freshest tracks seemed to lead toward the Idaho border but were lost due to broken snow conditions. To identify the animals, NDOW biologists conducted ground surveys and measured track dimensions consistent with those of a wolf. They installed trail cameras, collected scat samples, and explored locations for potential hair sample collection. These samples have been sent for DNA testing, with results expected soon.
"We are doing all we can to gather information regarding this sighting and will keep the public updated as we learn more information," said NDOW Director Alan Jenne. He noted that "Nevada is not a historic habitat for wolves," adding that while confirmed sightings in Nevada are rare, wolves may occasionally cross state lines briefly.
NDOW is collaborating with relevant state and federal agencies to ensure public safety and minimize any negative impact on Nevada's ecosystems and natural resource industries due to possible wolf presence.