Questions about the new Teton pack alpha female

5-15-2003

With the death of Teton Pack alpha 200F, mostly likely from her own pack, and her replacement at the den with 228F, a number of questions about Jackson Hole's only wolf pack can be asked.

Did 228F have a litter of her own, or is she nursing 200F's pups? If 228F had her own litter, did she den elsewhere and bring her pups to the pack's traditional den after 200F was killed or was she sharing the den with 200F, but was driven from it?

If she did bring her own pups to the den or shared them and the den with 200F, has she killed 200F's pups? Is 2003 another double litter year for the pack?

No pups have been observed yet, and when they are it will probably take genetic testing to determine whose pups they are.

Folks will remember that the first report on 228F had her looking in "poor shape" and traveling from the den site south to the Gros Ventre drainage. In retrospect Mike Jimenez speculates that perhaps 228F had simply been in a fight and appeared in poor condition from that.

Two things are for sure -- 200F had clearly been nursing pups and now 228F is staying right at the traditional den.

Earlier story: Teton Pack alpha female 200F found dead. Was she killed by her own pack?

  Copyright © 2003 Ralph Maughan