[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 215 (Thursday, November 6, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65983-65984]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-26457]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R2-ES-2014-N230; FXES11130200000F5-156-FF02ENEH00]


Emergency Exemption; Issuance of Emergency Permit To Capture a 
Suspected Gray Wolf in the Area of the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, 
Arizona

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of issuance.

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SUMMARY: The final rule to list the gray wolf as endangered throughout 
its range in the United States published in 1978. On October 6, 2014, a 
suspected gray wolf was seen wandering in the area of the North Rim of 
the Grand Canyon in Arizona. Deer hunting season is beginning in this 
area of Arizona, and it is believed that the wolf may be in danger of 
possible harm and could accidentally be shot either as a result of 
misunderstanding of status or misidentification. We, the U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service have, under an Endangered Species Act (ESA) permit, 
authorized qualified researchers to capture, draw blood, and possibly 
affix a brightly colored GPS radio collar on the suspect wolf and 
release it back into the general area where it was captured. It is 
essential for its safety to conduct these actions.

ADDRESSES: Documents and other information concerning the permit are 
available for review, subject to the requirements of the Privacy Act 
and Freedom of Information Act. Documents will be available for public 
inspection, by appointment only, during normal business hours at the 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 500 Gold Ave. SW., Room 6034, 
Albuquerque, NM 87103.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan Jacobsen, Chief, Division of 
Classification and Restoration, P.O. Box 1306, Albuquerque, NM 87103; 
(505) 248-6920.

[[Page 65984]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Several agencies and individuals notified 
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) that a suspected gray wolf 
(Canis lupus) was wandering in the area of the North Rim of the Grand 
Canyon in Arizona. Without being able to trap and identify the animal, 
it is unknown as to whether it is a gray wolf or some type of wolf-dog 
hybrid. We believe it is in the animal's best interest, with the 
upcoming deer hunting season opening in this area of Arizona, to 
capture, affix a brightly colored radio collar (if it is found to be a 
gray wolf), and draw blood (to identify the species), to help protect 
the animal from harm. We, the Service, under an Endangered Species Act 
(16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) permit, have authorized the following 
researchers to conduct the above-mentioned activities for gray wolf in 
the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, Arizona.

Permit TE-676811

    Applicant: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 2, Regional 
Director Blanket Permit, Albuquerque, New Mexico.

    We approved the applicant's request for an amendment to a current 
permit for research and recovery purposes to survey for, locate, 
capture, temporarily hold, draw blood, and radio collar, a gray wolf 
(Canis lupus) within the area of the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, 
Arizona.
    This emergency permit is issued for the sole purpose of protecting 
the suspected gray wolf in Arizona. Any further authorization for 
surveys or research of the gray wolf will be processed separately.

    Authority:  16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.

    Dated: October 30, 2014.
Joy E. Nicholopoulos,
Deputy Regional Director, Southwest Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-26457 Filed 11-5-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P