The wandering Hayden Pack finally denned. They went back to their traditional den near the Hayden Valley, which is also near the busy Canyon area in the Park.
People and wolf wise, this has never been a good den site because there is a lot of traffic nearby. The pack has always produced small crops of pups, although that doesn’t mean small numbers were necessarily born. It is possible, but just speculation, that all the human disturbance is the cause of the small number of pups seen come each June.
A Hayden pack member. I think it is the alpha male. Photo copyright by Jennifer Porter. April 2007
The Druids denned up towards (or maybe it was in) the Lamar River. That is well away from the highway. Unfortunately, human campers inadvertently camped too close and bumped them off their den. Doug Smith told me he has identified a new den they have dug. It isn’t known if the move caused pup mortality.
In other park news, Mollies 497M was hit on the highway near LeHardy’s Rapids and died.
There is a new wolf pack denned at one of the old Swan Lake Pack’s den sites, but it is not the Swan Lake Pack. They left the Park, probably for good. The new pack is 4 black wolves and 2 gray wolves.
It looks like every pack inside the Park denned this year. A few pups have been seen so far, but no good counts.
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Ralph Maughan
Dr. Ralph Maughan is professor emeritus of political science at Idaho State University with specialties in natural resource politics, public opinion, interest groups, political parties, voting and elections. Aside from academic publications, he is author or co-author of three hiking/backpacking guides, and he is past President of the Western Watersheds Project and the creator of The Wildlife News.
i heard to day,, that the female white was found dead tues or early wed,,maybe moberators could confirm with wolf managers,,, maybe it was the mollies wolf that was being confused witht he hayden female
Any suggestions on locations of dens that are visible from the road would be welcome?? I plan a visit to Yellowstone in late July.
Thanks
Doug,
It looks like only the Agates have denned in an area visible from a road.
oxbows can be seen from hellroaring pullout,,, sometimes
Just a note to all, please do not disclose the where abouts of any of the dens sites. Due to the YS website and people telling everyone where the dens are at it is causing the wolves, coyote’s and any other animal with a den to have to move or worse. Please use discretion!!! Thank you!!!