Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem wolf denning info for 2001
April 16, 2001
Many wolves have denned, and here are the first reports from the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem area (GYE).Druid Peak Pack-
Number 42F, the alpha female, denned especially early, and may have whelped pups as early as April 4. She choose the traditional pack den site on Druid Peak. Her daughter 105F has denned in the old den of Rose Creek no. 9F, indicating how thoroughly the enlarged Druid Pack has displaced Rose Creek. Number 106F is said to look pregnant but has not localized. The alpha male, no. 21M is reportedly attending both the den site of no. 42 and no. 105. They are about 4 miles apart. When we observed 105F about a week ago we saw her in the Little America area with a retinue of about 7 pups/yearlings. I wonder if this is the makings of a split in the huge Druid Pack.
Leopold-
Number 7F has denned for yet another year, but this time she choose a new den site on the Blacktail Deer Plateau, further to the west than previously.
Taylor Peak Pack-
The alpha female of the Taylor Peak pack was seen lying by her den on April 7th.
Nez Perce Pack-
This pack has localized in their traditional range near Nez Perce Creek south of Madison Junction.
Chief Joseph Pack-
It appears hazing has worked, and Chief Joe is near their traditional den site near Daly Creek/Specimen Creek inside the NW corner of Yellowstone. Last year they denned outside the Park near a horse corral in Cinnabar Basin.
Washakie Pack-
A member of the rejuvenated Washakie Pack was observed near the pack's old den on April 9. Only one member of this elusive pack is radio-collared. Efforts to try and collar more ended on April 11.
Study-
Considerable work was done this winter to radio collar members of the Nez Perce, Taylor Peaks, and Chief Joseph Packs, because these three have been selected for an intensive prey study, the first outside the northern range of Yellowstone. The study will focus on elk and wolves in the Madison/Firehole area (Nez Perce); Gallatin Range (Chief Joe); and lower Madison River and Madison Range; (Taylor Peaks.)
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