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 —— ——

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).

Each wolf was injected with 1,200,000 units of Bicillin (Wyeth), 2 cc of distemper-hepatitus-leptospirosis vaccine (BioCeutic Laboratories D-Vac HL), 0.5 cc of vitamins A, D, E, (Hoffman-LaRoche[11] Injacom 100), 1 cc of vitamin C-fortified vitamin B complex (Eli-Lilly, Betalin Complex FC), and 2 cc anti rabies vaccine (Fromms Raboid). These injections (Fig. 8) were given to insure that the wolves would be as healthy as possible upon release, and would not contract or introduce diseases in the release area.

Some 30 to 60 cc of blood were drawn from each wolf for analysis of its physical condition (Seal et al. 1975).

The processing of the wolves took from 8:45 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. CDT on March 5, 1974. The animals were then transported by truck to International Falls, loaded on an airplane (Fig. 9), and flown for 2 hours (Fig. 10) to the Marquette County Airport, Michigan. They were turned on different sides each half hour while drugged during their processing and transport to prevent lung congestion. At the Marquette Airport they were transferred by van to a 25 foot by 25 foot by 12 foot (7.6 m × 7.6 m × 3.7 m) holding pen on the Huron Mountain Club property 35 miles (56.3 km) northwest of Marquette.

The wolves were released individually into the holding pen while each was still partly under sedation (Fig. 11). The transmitting frequency of each wolf's collar was rechecked on the receiver as each wolf was released into the pen (Fig. 12). All wolves were in the pen by 10:00 p.m. EDT, and were held there until March 12.

Four road-killed deer carcasses, provided by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, had been placed inside the pen for food (Fig. 13), and a tub of drinking water was provided. Carcasses of five road-killed deer and a black bear (Ursus americanus) were placed within a half-mile (0.8 km) of the release pen as food for the wolves after their release.

We had scheduled the release for mid-March for several reasons which we felt would maximize chances for success. Deer are concentrated then in the Huron Mountain area and vulnerable to predation. Pregnancy and subsequent whelping of the alpha female might increase her attachment to the new area. Furthermore, the snow is usually deepest then and hinders travel. However, a few days before the release, a freak rainstorm had settled the snow, and cold temperatures had frozen it so hard that animals could walk readily on top, making travel conditions excellent.