Oregon alpha male is missing

[Kain]

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2010/06/missing_alpha_mail_wolf_from_o.html

LA GRANDE -- The state Department of Fish and Wildlife says the alpha male is missing from Oregon's only confirmed breeding pair of wolves.

The animal has been missing for about three weeks, Russ Morgan, the ODFW's wolf coordinator, told The Observer newspaper of La Grande. 
The wolf was outfitted in February with a GPS collar that is capable of tracking his whereabouts. Morgan says it's not uncommon for a radio collar to fail, but another possibility is that the wolf is dead.

The Oregon Wolf Plan says four breeding pairs must be established in Eastern Oregon before the animal can be de-listed as an endangered species.

[Caseyd]

A. They say its missing to keep breeding pair counts down 

B. Its now in Washington 

[Skyvalhunter]

wonder what an alpha male tastes like?

[yakimarcher]

Probably some Good Ole' Boy took care of that elk killing machine.

[grundy53]

A. They say its missing to keep breeding pair counts down 

B. Its now in Washington 

Or c. Someone shot it.

[haus]

hmm.....must not be a constant connection link gps system.

next supply request from the bio's will be sat collars with mini solar panels

[MikeWalking]

wonder what an alpha male tastes like?

Well I used to hear I was really sweet, but now I'm bitter and salty....

Maybe it's plastered to the underside of some 18 wheeler?

[MuleySniper]

What will the rest of the pack do now without their all mighty leader? 
MS

[haus]

What will the rest of the pack do now without their all mighty leader? 
MS

[Curly]

but another possibility is that the wolf is dead.

 

[NWBREW]

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2010/06/missing_alpha_mail_wolf_from_o.html

 
  Morgan says it's not uncommon for a radio collar to fail, but another possibility is that the wolf is dead.

 

I don't understand.....why would the gps stop working if the animal is dead.   

[BLUEBULLS]

What will the rest of the pack do now without their all mighty leader? 
MS

probably move to Washington

I hope it's just that someone was smart enough to remove the batteries

[haus]

I'm guessing they know a little more about the fate of the wolf than was reported.

[Mr56Jeep]

Those GPS units typically take locations reading a couple times a day and then transmit the data on a regular schedule (Either once a week or once a month).

The key is to have a biologist in the area with a receiver at the scheduled transmission times.  If the subject animal has left the expected area, then the transmission are not received. 

[woodywsu]

Those GPS recievers should give a "dead" alarm if that collar/animal isn't moving. They have more information, just aren't ready to reveal it yet. Dead, migrated, collar wasn't put on correctly?