Visitors 44
Created 14-Oct-12
0 photos
According to the Internet, the Canyon Pack in Yellowstone National Park originated in the Lamar Valley, were forced out by other wolves and set up a den near Mammoth. Because this was too close to people, the Park Service harassed them until they left. Apparently they are now located in the Hayden Valley.
After seeing my first wolf pack in June, 2012, I resolved to return and try to get some photographs. I spent Thursday and Friday, October 11,12 at Yellowstone. According to a website posting, nobody saw any wolves on Thursday. Friday, however as I was in Hayden Valley I heard howling wolves. I followed the howling and soon located a friendly couple who had located the pack. They identified them as the Canyon Pack by the albino alpha female. The female is known as 832F, and is one of the most proficient hunters, having been observed taking down cow elk by herself.
There were seven wolves across the Yellowstone River from us. Behind us we heard other wolves, and soon located four of them on a nearby hill. Cutting the story a bit short, the Canyon Pack moved down the river, so we packed up our scopes and drove a short distance and set up again. Suddenly the alpha female plunged into the Yellowstone River and began wading to our side. In short order the other members of the pack followed her lead.
By this time I had traded my scope for my camera. As about 40 of us watched, the entire pack walked past us. Unfortunately, from a photography point of view, they stared straight ahead, completely ignoring us. I was impressed by how quickly a wolf covers ground with their long loping strides.
Without being a wolf expert, I assume the Canyon Pack was reacting to the four wolves behind us. Since the major cause of death among wolves is other wolves, I can't assume all ended well, but there was no more howling, so whatever happened, happened after I left.
Added December 8, 2012.
Canyon Pack Alpha Female 832F was shot and killed by a hunter December 7, 2012. Beta Male 754M was shot and killed by a hunter in November. I believe that is the wolf in photographs 18-22.