Early June update on 2003 Yellowstone pups.

13 Druid pups spotted

6-9-2003

After being away from my computer for some time, here is the latest update on Yellowstone Park wolves. Most of the information comes from Dan Stahler of the YNP wolf team.

Perhaps of most interest to folks is the count of Druid pups has gone from just one to 13, a good indication of multiple litters, perhaps as many as three litters. 6 grey and 7 black pups have been counted.

At last report pups had not been observed at the Agate Creek den site, but now a minimum of 8 have been visually identified with perhaps more in the trees. More than one litter is possible.

Still no pups seen for the new Slough Creek Pack (217F/261M).

The Leopold Pack count remains at 7 pups. This might be a multiple litter.

No pups seen yet for the remote Nez Perce Pack den site, but the wolves have been near the traditional den.

Perhaps some crippling news for the new Buffalo Fork Pack (former Druid 105F's). 105F's collar is in mortality mode, although it may be just a dropped collar, however, they had moved away from their Buffalo Fork den site into the upper Hellroaring Creek area (north of the Park). Meanwhile, the Rose Creek II Pack moved out of their den area into the upper Hellroaring (7 Rose Creek adults were seen swimming Hellroaring Creek). Perhaps there was an encounter between the two packs. Perhaps the Rose Creek Pack was carrying their pups to this new location, or perhaps they lost them.

251F, her five pups, and pack have not been seen lately, but it is likely she has moved them south into a rendezvous site near Elk Creek.

The big Swan Lake Pack remains an all gray wolf pack. Six new gray pups have been seen.

It's hard to know what is going on in the Yellowstone Delta pack. They have been moving between their two previous den sites, which are a long way apart. Four Delta adults, probably a hunting party, were seen swimming the Yellowstone River, in a recent wolf tracking flight.

No pups have been seen yet at Mollie's Pack den. Today the alpha pair were seen traveling together some distance from the den site. It is believed there are pups, although perhaps late pups due to the cold snowy location of the den site (note: the snow is gone now).

The uncollared Chief Joseph Pack may have split with one group denning in traditional Daly Creek in the Park and the other a couple miles away on a wildlife friendly ranch. Talking today with the ranch owner, it was confirmed that pups were seen, but since then the pack has moved the pups and all signs of wolves at or near the ranch has disappeared.

No pups have been seen recently with the Geode Creek Pack, although 106F has moved the pups at least twice. Six pups had been previously counted. Today she was with other pack members on "Mom's Ridge," a familiar landmark for wolf watchers.

Two pups have been seen with the Cougar Creek Pack to the NE of West Yellowstone in the Park.

The Bechler Pack has not been flown lately, but they are thought to have pups and also thought to have moved their den a ways.