JUNCTION BUTTE PACK:

There have been big changes to this well-known pack. Around Christmas, 907F died of wounds she received when the Rescue Creek pack came upon the Junctions at a carcass on the north side of Little America.

The Rescue Creek pack has many big males; the Junctions had recently several members in the hunt as well as it the alpha male, who was poached.

Several males from Rescue Creek remained in Little America after that incident. Breeding season is coming up and they took an interest in several Junction females. It appears the females were interested in the males as well.

During my visit, this pack was seen only once (and, alas, I missed them). So I did not get a chance to familiarize myself with their new make-up.

In December, the breeding-age females were 1385, 1386, 1478 and 1479. I don’t know if they are all still here, nor how many pups of the original five from 2024 are still with them.

When outside males join an established pack, it is normal for breeding age females to want them around, and it is normal for any of their pups to be “adopted” by the incoming males. But it is also normal for any adult males in the established pack to either be driven off by the outside males or to simply leave on their own. These males would not have breeding opportunities anyway, so it is in their interest to leave their natal pack.

The late-winter wolf study will begin in March so perhaps by then the pack’s consistent make-up will have been established.

All this is to say that I do not have a current “normal” count for this pack to list here. But I am guessing the number is between 8 and 12.

RESCUE CREEK PACK:

For the same reason, I don’t have a “normal” count for this pack to list here, either. But I will guestimate that it’s more like 12-15, with at least 10 blacks and 2 grays (1273M, 1393M, 1489M, 1490F)

I did observe this pack a few times in January but don’t claim to know them very well.

MOLLIE’S PACK

This pack has seemingly left their long home in the Pelican area in favor of using the Cache Creek and making hunting trips into Lamar

The Pack currently consists of 9 wolves (6 gray and 3 black). The alphas are 1339M (gray) and 1090F (black going gray). Other grays include 1483M (recently re-collared) and 1485M. The blacks include one uncollared plus feisty 1411F.

Other wolves

1048M, 1341F, 1384F, 1477F

I was happy to learn that 1048M is still in the Park, but still traveling alone. He has been seen from the plane a few times in the Hellroaring-Blacktail area and his signal is heard off and on.

BLISS PACK

A new pack has formed north of Slough, called the Bliss Pack. Three former Junctions wolves are currently part of that pack: 1341F (gray) and 1477F (black).

I was told that the project still gets the signal for former Junction 1384F (gray) in the Hellroaring area from time to time, with other wolves.