Re-released Sheep Mountain Wolves Fare Well So Far.

Re-released Sheep Mountain Wolves Fare Well So Far

12-21-2000. Update 12-27

The three surviving members of the Sheep Mountain Pack that were re-released in early December are doing well so far according to Ed Bangs, head of the Northern Rockies wolf recovery. The wolves had spent 6 months in a rehabilitation facility on Turner's Flying D Ranch near Bozeman, MT.

Bangs said the wolves, which are 3 brothers, were in good condition and had gained about 20 pounds during their reconditioning. Since the release they have stayed closely to the pack's traditional range, with the wolves being tracked at both the traditional den site and rendezvous site.

One brother had obviously become the dominant wolf, said Bangs.

There is a new black wolf that his dispersed into the area of the pack, and the question is will they accept that wolf? It probably depends whether the wolf is female. If that occurs the pack may be reborn next spring with a new breeding pair and pups. It is possible that one or both of the other brothers might leave if their dominant brother takes a mate. It will be interesting to see.

The wolves' territory is superlative habitat for deer and elk, especially during the winter and spring at lower elevations. Moreover, the annual early and late elk hunt provides the wolves with food. There was a recent visual sighting of the 3 wolves feeding on the remains of an elk, killed in the hunt.

There are also many cattle in the area in the summer, and a few in the winter, however, on private land. The reconditioning was an attempt to use shock collars to cause the wolves to avoid livestock. It not clear how many shocks were administered, but observers saw just one, when the dominant wolf approached a cow hide put in their compound. The wolf jumped back and never approached the hide again, nor did his brothers who were watching.

The last cow calf put in the enclosure was actually discovered chasing the wolves.

Modifications of this experiment and other experiments are being considered for the future for selected wolves. Undoubtedly very few wolves will ever be so conditioned, but the Sheep Mountain Pack, or any successor packs are in a special location-- they live in a gateway where wildlife, including wolves, has, and always will migrate north out of Yellowstone.

It is also a favored area for hunting, fishing, boating, and a major tourist corridor to Yellowstone. Last fall a group named "Friends of the Northern Range Elk" organized, claiming the Sheep Mountain Pack had wiped out all the elk. It was a poor hunting season in 1999, but either this didn't happen or the elk were quickly resurrected because this year the hunt was good.

Update Dec. 27. On December 20, observers saw the Sheep Mountain trio in the company of 4 new unradio-collared wolves. Is this then the reborn pack?

Email addresses for members of Congress, the media, and other officials.

Return To Maughan Wolf Report Page

Ralph Maughan PO Box 8264, Pocatello, ID 83209