Annual radio collaring in Yellowstone gets under way
Early results
1-27-00
Every January, new collars are put on Yellowstone wolves. This year's process is well underway.Eleven have been captured and collared or recollared so far. The goal is 16-20. The idea is to have the alpha pair in each pack collared (to make it easier to track the pack), and to have 30 to 50% of the rest of the pack collared. Collars are controversial because some say it makes the wolves less wild, and it also helps find wolves if "contro" has been ordered. On the other hand, collars provide valuable scientific data and allow proactive measures (short of killing a wolf) if there are problems with the wolf and livestock. The visible presence of a collar also deters those bent on illegally killing a wolf because the collar alerts authorities with its "mortality signal
Here are the results so far:
| Wolf number | Pack | Weight | Year of birth, Place |
| 40F, alpha female Druid Peak Pack | Druid | not taken | 1994 or earlier in B.C., Canada |
| 55M | Leopold | 135 pounds | 1996, Yellowstone |
| 72M, alpha male? | Nez Perce | not taken | 1996 near Augusta, Montana |
| 156F | Rose Creek | 95 pounds | 1998, Yellowstone |
| 162M | Rose Creek | 110 pounds | 1998, Yellowstone |
| 187F | Chief Joseph | 79 pounds | 1999, Yellowstone |
| 188F | Sheep Mountain | 99 pounds | 1999, N. of Yellowstone |
| 189M | Sheep Mountain | 103 pounds | 1999, N. of Yellowstone |
| 190F | Rose Creek | 80 pounds | 1999, Yellowstone |
| 191M | Nez Perce | not taken | 1999, Yellowstone |
The next wolves to be collared will probably be in the Crystal Creek Pack. I believe the collared of wolves to the east of the Park and south will be a separate operation, directed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
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