Fig. 6.—Before being transported to Michigan, each wolf was weighed (USFWS Photo by Don Reilly)
Table 2. Background information on the translocated wolves
| Wolf Number | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 |
| Sex | F | F | M | M |
| Estimated age[9] | 1–2 years | 6–7 years | 2–3 years | 2–3 years |
| Capture date | 12-24-73 | 1-5-74 | 1-19-74 | 1-21-74 |
| Capture Method | Trapped | Trapped | Trapped | Live-snared |
| Capture foot | Left front | Right front | Right front | |
| Capture-related damage | Two nails lost | Three nails lost | None | None |
| Weight at capture | 55 lb. | 65 lb. | 74 lb. | 75 lb. |
| (24.9 kg) | (29.4 kg) | (33.5 kg) | (33.9 kg) | |
| Weight, March 5 | 46 lb. | 58 lb. | 66 lb. | 60 lb. |
| (20.8 kg) | (26.3 kg) | (29.9 kg) | (27.2 kg) | |
| % weight loss | 16% | 11% | 11% | 20% |
| Canine length, upper | 0.83" | 0.25–0.50" | 0.93" | 0.87" |
| (21 mm) | (6–13 mm) | (24 mm) | (22 mm) | |
| Canine length, lower | 0.75" | very worn | 0.82" | 0.85" |
| (19 mm) | (21 mm) | (21 mm) | ||
| Testes[10] | —— | —— | 0.5 × 1.0" | 0.5 × 0.75" |
| (13×25 mm) | (13×19 mm) | |||
| Teats | Tiny, not apparent | Dark, evident | —— | —— |
[9] Gross subjective estimates based on tooth wear
[10] Estimated
On March 5, 1974, the wolves were again immobilized for pre-release processing in Minnesota. An initial dose, and several supplemental doses of phencyclidine and promazine were administered intramuscularly and intraperitoneally between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. CDT. The wolves were restrained with muzzles and their legs were bound together during processing and transport. Two of the wolves were blindfolded because they were too active otherwise.
The wolves were ear-tagged with both Minnesota and Michigan Department of Natural Resources tags, and weights and body measurements were taken (Fig. 6, 7). Their teeth were inspected and canines were measured to try to obtain an indication of age. Each animal was fitted with a radio transmitter (AVM Instrument Co., Champaign, Illinois[11]) molded into an acrylic collar (Mech, 1974).
Fig. 7.—Standard body measurements were also taken (USFWS Photo by Don Reilly)