More 2003 Yellowstone den news, plus
Geode Creek alpha male killed by ungulate

5-2-2003

Here is the latest data on the denning of Yellowstone Park wolves this spring.  You might want to compare it to the previous Park update.

In addition to the denning news below on about April 27, 294M, the alpha male of the Geode Pack was found dead near Hellroaring Creek in the Park. Examination showed major trauma to his side as though he had been kicked. Dr. Doug Smith told me 294M was found face down with his leg in a distorted position. Smith said 294 was clearly not killed by other wolves. His mate, former Druid 106F is believed to be with her second litter of pups. The pack has a beta male 300M, who will like take over as the alpha in this pack of seven. At the Chico meeting, it was reported that 300's muzzle was raw and had been repeated chewed on, probably by 294M. 300M is likely now a happier wolf.

Here is the info on other Park packs.

Rose Creek II- denned

Geode Creek- discussed above (denned)

217F - denned in the Slough Creek area. She, her mate 261M (formerly from Mollie's Pack), and the rest of the pack will very likely be named the "Slough Creek Pack." They inhabit about the same area the Rose Creek Pack held during their reign over the northern range from 1996 - 1998.

Agate Creek- very likely denned. They have localized in a remote area. The alpha female is uncollared and has probably denned. Moreover, former Druid 103F who is not the alpha, but who had her own litter in 2001 and 2002 may have denned as well.

105F's group- Has not been located in part due to lack of good flying weather. There was not a flight window for a wider search.

Leopold- Denned using one of 7F's old den sites.

Chief Joseph- Denned

Cougar Creek- Denned

251F- Very likely denned. Has been repeated tracked in about the same place. 251F has 2 adult companies for what would be a new pack.

Nez Perce- Localized and probably denned. Alpha female's radio collar has failed.

Swan Lake- Denned. No their den is not in the trees at the south end of Swan Lake. Their obvious presence there has been mostly due to the recovery of several bison by grizzly bears. The bears pulled the drowned bison out of the water. Apparently there has been a lot of wolf-grizzly competition for this huge cache of nutrition.

Mollie's Pack- In the last report, they hadn't denned, but injured Mollie's alpha female 174F has localized and is retaining her alpha status despite her broken leg.

Bechler- On the last flight, over 2 weeks ago this remote SW Yellowstone Pack was seen digging a den.

Yellowstone Delta- No flights.

Sheep Mountain- This long-standing pack just north of Yellowstone is monitored by the Yellowstone wolf team. They are localized near their usual  den area in the vicinity of Dome Mountain. The alpha female lacks a radio collar.

The Druids- Rick McIntrye told me he had a good look at 42F and she is clearly nursing. As far as her thought-to-be-denned daughters 255F and the U-Black, he hasn't had a clear observation of them, but they stay near the traditional pack den area.

There is an interesting side story here. Folks will recall that 255F, the U-Black, and the Half-Black females ran off with young wolves 301M and 302M late last winter. McIntryre saw 302M mate with all three Druid daughters. Then the daughters returned to the Druid Pack. After a chase by another pack, 301M and 302M split. 302M went to the Leopold Pack where he was welcomed and so it was very likely his native pack. 301M dispersed northward out of Yellowstone, traveling almost to Livingston.

Since then 302M has returned all the way to the Lamar Valley a number of times. He has approached the Druid den site (while the alpha male 21M was away). McIntyre thinks 302M, as speculated earlier, might still be trying to join the Druid Pack if 21M and 42F will tolerate him. 302M is a good hunter, and the pack could use the strength of the new wolf in his prime as a hunter if they have several litters of pups to feed.

One more note, 301M recently returned from his journey far to the north, and he returned to the Leopold den site, indicating that he and 302M are, as some suspected, brothers.