Famous no. 9's genes dominate the Yellowstone area wolf population.

One of the most interesting bits of information presented at the North American Interagency Wolf Conference in Chico, Montana, last week was the huge genetic impact the famous (former) alpha female of the Rose Creek Pack has had. 

Seventy-one per cent of the present population carries her genes in the form of herself, her daughter no. 7F, who came with her from Alberta; and her many Yellowstone-borne children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.  Including in this total are the children and grandchildren of no. 7.

It could have been otherwise. In the spring of 1995, two of the brand new wolves had pups. No. 14F of the Soda Butte Pack had one pup, no. 24F; but no. 9F whelped 8 pups; and thanks to biologists and luck after her mate no. 10M was illegally killed, all of the pups survived the summer and over half lived to reproduce.

Meanwhile, the Soda Butte Pack had two more litters, but the only wolf so far to go on to have pups of her own is 24F, who dispersed in the fall of 1998, paired with a yearling from the Washakie Pack to form the Teton Pack.

When a population is small, random events can greatly influence things far into the future.  No. 9's genes will now probably dominate for a long time.  Just a few differences back in 1995 could have caused a much different genetic structure of the Yellowstone wolves 5 years later.