Straying Druids return to pack

and other northern range wolf news

3-21-2003, update 3-29

According to Rick McIntyre, all of the Druids who had seemed to disperse during the late winter "dating season" have returned to the Druid Pack.

In the last week, the straying "U-black" female and "half-black" female, who had been with wolves 301M and 302M, returned to the Druid Pack. This proto-pack is no more. 302M was spotted today with the Leopolds. Perhaps that was his original pack. 255F, who had mated with 302M and an unknown gray wolf, returned to the Druids in early March. Not only that, but the uncollared Druid yearling male who had disappeared in early February is back with the pack. Nine Druids were observed today at Crystal Creek. The alpha female 42F was with them, but she is clearly pregnant and has been spending a lot of time near the traditional Druid den on Druid Peak. Field observation does not show yet whether 255F or the other yearlings (now almost 2-years old) are pregnant. It is likely the Druids will soon be spending less time at Crystal Creek and more in the Lamar Valley, which is rapidly losing its snow. There are many bare patches.

The Geode Pack was near Tower Junction today. The Agate Creek Pack which often is near Tower has been to the south lately (probably the Antelope Creek area). Former Agate female 251F seems to be consistently part of a trio -- she, a black alpha male and another wolf (sex unknown). They have been near Tower, but on the ridge above (to the south of) of the Tower area.

217F's group, which was generally 7 wolves, is now at 5 wolves, and seems to be consistently occupying the portion of Slough Creek in the Park and just to the north.

There is no news on 105F's group, the "Slough Creek group." Doug Smith said that despite their best efforts they failed to radio collar this proto-pack.

Eleven members of the Leopold Pack were visually observed from the air today, including 302M. There might have been more wolves in the trees.  As usual, they were on the Blacktail Deer Plateau.

My last story on these wolves, March 5.

Update 3-29-03- I received email asking basically, given that 302M is now with the Leopolds, what happened to 301M? In early March, the Geode Pack chased 302M's group, including 301M and the two Druid females that were hanging with them. Three of wolves being chased went one way and the 301M the other, with the Geode's in pursuit. 301M escaped, but was later tracked north of Yellowstone Park. His signal hasn't been heard (or perhaps listed for) since.