2004. First Yellowstone denning update

4-16-2004

Here is the first data on the denning of Yellowstone Park wolves this spring. It is based on a flight today and on field data.

Druid Peak Pack- 286F is denned.

Slough Creek- Surprise! Appeared not be denned, but the alpha female is hard to identify due to a lack of a radio collar. Nine wolves were spotted on move. The size of the pack has declined a bit lately.

Geode Creek Pack- Probably denned. The alpha female, 106F's radio collar is not working. . . another premature collar failure. Premature collar failures are becoming an issue.

Agate Creek Pack- Not denned.

255F- Denned alone

194M and the U-Black-Unknown. 194M was observed in various locations today. The U-black has no collar . . . that is why this former Druid has always been called "the U-Black."

Cougar Creek Pack- denned

Leopold Pack- probably denned. The alpha female 209F was not seen with the pack.

Swan Lake pack- denned

Nez Perce Pack- not denned

Mollie's Pack- not denned, but the alpha female was "very pregnant," and ten miles from her pack, unable to travel with them.

Gibbon group- Was on a kill in "dog hair" lodgepole pine. Denning status could not be determined.

Yellowstone Delta Pack could not be found. They were probably south in the Teton Wilderness.

Bechler Pack. Not flown for. Bad weather and too distant.

Chief Joseph Pack. Not flown for; may be flown for soon by the State of Montana.

Doug Smith said winds made flying tough. The weather is very odd with warm, summer like thermals that make flying after 10 am difficult.