Here is the latest information on the Yellowstone wolves, courtesy of Doug Smith, head of the Yellowstone wolf team.
There have been a number of developments among the Yellowstone country wolf packs (in addition to the unfortunate events with the Washakie Pack).
Three packs move their pups to rendezvous sites-
The Rose Creek, Leopold, and no. 16 have moved their pups from their den sites to rendezvous sites. Yes, that's right, no. 16F had six pups, again apparently by herself. She whelped five by herself in 1997.Leopold has moved its pups, although there is not a count of them yet.
Crystal Creek and Chief Joseph have not moved their pups. Dr. Smith indicated that last year the Crystal Creek pack hung around their den site in the Pelican Valley until August.
Still no count on the Druid's pups-
Smith indicated there has not yet been a verified observation of the pups of the Druid Peak peak. I asked him if he was sure they hand any. He said they almost certainly did.Soda Butte Pack and the Thorofare yearlings-
Due to extremely bad flying weather, the Soda Butte Pack was not located. This is the same bad weather than has saved the two remaining Washakie Pack members that are marked for death. A week ago Soda Butte was located south of Yellowstone about five miles from Moran Junction. Moran Junction is the northern entrance gate to Grand Teton National Park.The Thorofare yearlings were still at Heart Lake, the normal core of Soda Butte's territory. There could be trouble if Soda Butte comes back, but prey is much more available now than the sparse pickings of wintertime in southern Yellowstone. In fact, Smith presented one scenario of 24F of the Soda Butte Pack dispersing to join Thorofare. Number 24F has been a little-discussed wolf. She was the only pup born in 1995 to her mother, no. 14F, and her now late father, no. 13M "Old Blue." She has been with the Soda Butte Pack for over three years now, and so her likelihood of dispersal is high. Perhaps it didn't happen earlier due to the paucity of sexually mature males in the remote location chosen by her pack. Her mother is still the alpha female of the pack. Since Old Blue died of natural causes [old age?], there has not been an alpha male in this pack.
Another scenario is that she would disperse to join the remainder of the Washakie Pack. Hopefully the three members slated to live will migrate away from the Dunoir Valley area which is about 25 miles due east of Moran Junction.
Sunlight Pair didn't den-
Although hopes were high that they would den, it was not to be. They are currently in the Crandall area, east of the Park. I have learned, not from Smith, that the killer of the White Wolf, no. 39F, turned himself in after the incident and seemed remorseful. This would seem to increase the odds of a light penalty.Nez Perce pen to be opened on June 22-
The four wolves and four new pups will be released at last from the Nez Perce pen next Monday, June 22. They have been in there an awfully long time. Hopefully this time their stay will bind them to Yellowstone, especially with the four news pups of no. 67F. The best scenario is that all eight wolves will join with no. 29M and 48F nearby who probably have a litter too and make a grand wolf pack in the middle of Yellowstone.Dr. Smith and his wolf team have put a lot of time and effort into this project to save these wolves (and the genetic material from the now killed-off Sawtooth Pack of NW Montana). Smith has consulted with his colleagues Dave Mech, Rolf Peterson, Mike Phillips, and Ed Bangs; and they feel quite confident that the release is likely to successful.
Upon release the grand pack, or perhaps two packs if the penned and free wolves don't join, will be given new names.
If they stray from Yellowstone, they are marked for death.
What about all this limiting and killing of wolves?
I have had a lot of email lately from angry people in the United States about the killing of wolves that stray far from Yellowstone, the "one strike rule," failure to capture and punish wolf-killers," etc.Those to blame are certainly not the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's law enforcement agents, nor Ed Bangs, nor any other of the dedicated people who work with wolves.
The problem is power politics, plain and simple. Anti-wolf, anti-nature members of Congress control the Interior West. Their power is magnified by the "2-senator-per- state rule" from the U.S. Constitution. The West wasn't always so politically brown. In the 1970s a number of senators like Frank Church of Idaho, Mike Mansfield of Montana, and Gale McGee of Wyoming stood for protecting nature and fighting the interests.
There is a congressional election this November. We know who the bad guys (and gals) are, but wildlife and conservation issues need to be raised. Many of you will donate campaign money. I think it's too bad that our elections are more or less purchased nowdays, but when you give money let them know why. If you don't live in the West, that doesn't matter. Senators and representatives from the rest of the country will respond if you let them know it's irrational the rabid anti-green congressional delegation from Alaska controls all the public lands committees in Congress.
You might also let them know that you demand campaign finance reform. Wouldn't you like to say that an honest senator is more than just a senator who, once bought, stays bought?
Email addresses for members of Congress, the media, and other officials.
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Copyright ©1998 Ralph Maughan
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Ralph Maughan PO Box 8264, Pocatello, ID 83209