Here is a brief update on the 1997 Yellowstone pups.Number 9, the alpha female of the Rose Creek Pack, is confirmed to have a litter of at least four pups. In 1995 she had eight at about the same time as her mate, no. 10 was shot by Chad McKilltrick. In 1996 her litter was three pups, nos. 51, 52, and 53.
One of her pups from 1995, no. 18F, was earlier reported to have a litter of five pups. This has been changed to seven pups.
No other pups are yet confirmed despite reports in the media several days ago that numbers 16 and 17 (also daughters of no. 9) had born litters. These two females appear to have denned, however, as have two of the females in the Druid Peak Pack and number 14 of the Soda Butte Pack.
It has been snowy in the Pack the last few days, and observations are just now getting started again.
© 1997 Ralph Maughan
Not to be reprinted, archived, redistributed, etc.,
without permission.