JUNCTION BUTTE PACK:

While I have been away from the Park, the Junctions have not been seen as regularly as usual. They seem to have spent a good deal of time outside the Park.

But shortly before I made this visit, they were seen feeding on a bison carcass in Little America, north of the mixed forest. That carcass ended up bringing trouble to the pack because it drew the larger Rescue Creek pack to the area.

On December 22, several Junctions were seen in the Marge-tree rendezvous spot. Sometime after 8:30AM, 19 Rescue Creek wolves (16 blacks and 3 grays) came running at them from the west.

The chase was hard to follow but watchers felt that several Junctions were caught, perhaps as many as three.

Initially it looked like 907 got away but unfortunately it turned out that she was severely wounded. The wolf project knew she remained localized near Slough Creek.

Sometime on Christmas Day, her collar turned to mortality mode. On the morning of December 26, the Project hiked out to the creek to retrieve her body. Many long-time wolf watchers paid their respects as she was carried out.

The uncollared alpha male had not been seen for several days before this event. Other Junctions were seen later on the 26th, a group of ten (7 blacks and 3 grays) but over the following week or so, they were seen only sporadically.

When a pack loses its alphas, there is often a power struggle among the remaining members. Until a clear leader steps up and is accepted by the rest of the pack, their movements can be especially unpredictable.

The pack has many females of breeding age; 1385, 1385, 1478 and 1479, and will likely attract a suitor or two, especially this close to mating season.

I did see the Junctions on both 12/26 and 12/27 and list the current make-up in my notes. But it is bound to change over the coming weeks.

Missing Junctions (from September count)

Alpha male - likely deceased, perhaps killed by Rescues

907F-killed by Rescues

1 Black pup – possibly killed by Rescues

1477F – no info. Last seen with Junctions in October

Uncollared black female – no info

Uncollared gray female – no info

RESCUE CREEK PACK:

The normal count for this pack is now 19 or 21; they may have lost one of their 7 black pups. A high count would include 17 blacks (including 1273M, 1393M, 1489M, 1490F) and 4 grays (including 1484M).

Since I missed the Winter Wolf Study I do not have as much information about this pack as I’d like. One general statement, though, is that they have more males than females. I think it’s very likely that one of the males in this pack will be un-related enough to end up with some of the Junction females.

1048M:

This wonderful wolf has not been seen for many weeks. I have no other news at this time.

WAPITI LAKE PACK:

No update on this pack

MOLLIE’S PACK

I did get one interesting update about this pack. They are no longer “centered” in Pelican Valley but in the Cache Creek area. Thus, they are being seen on and off again in Lamar Valley. The majority of this pack (all the males) are Junction-born, while the females are Mollie’s born.

Some of the males spent time as Rescue Creek wolves (which is a Junction offshoot). Their current number is 8 (5 grays and 3 blacks). I think all the blacks are Mollies: 1090 (former alpha female), 1411F and an uncollared black.

Grays are: 1339M (alpha) two more collared grays, and two uncollared grays.

Update: In early January, watchers started reporting a sixth gray male with the Mollies on and off. I suspect this might be the Junction wolf we call “brown-gray”. He is likely too closely related to the remaining Junction females to become their alpha male.

We’ll see what happens.