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Are there no more 6x6 Elk left in Yellowstone? Just Cows and Calves?
Yellowstone wolf pack missing again
Associated Press
CODY, Wyo. (AP) – The Nez Perce wolf pack has disappeared from Yellowstone National Park for the third time in as many years, though biologists are concerned the pack might not come back this time.
The pack, which could have as many as 20 members, has not been seen since mid-October. Its members have been spotted separately in recent days as far south as Green River, but no one has seen the entire pack.
The disappearance has almost become expected each winter, but the pack left earlier than usual this year, wolf biologist Doug Smith said.
“They’re moving around, but, to be honest, I don’t know why,” he said. “My best guess is that they’re probably looking for food. This is kind of an annual walkabout.”
Last year, the pack was spotted in the National Elk Refuge, 60 miles to the south, after disappearing in mid-December, eventually returning to the park.
The pack also disappeared from central Yellowstone in 2001, resurfacing in eastern Idaho, where members of the pack killed a dog before wandering back into the park.
Smith, however, said he’s not sure if the pack will return this year.
One of the pack’s males has been spotted with a female wolf near Green River. The wolf, one of nine pups brought to Yellowstone in 1996, may be the pack’s alpha male, Smith said.
“I think he’s gone for good,” he said.
Other members of the pack also appear to have splintered off. One was spotted near a lake west of Yellowstone while others have been seen near Old Faithful, indicating the pack may have broken up.
“It remains to be seen if they get back together,” Smith said. “Their pattern is (they wander off and) they get together in Yellowstone. I’m not sure that’s going to happen again this time.”
Wolf biologists have been searching for the pack every day. If spotted, the pack will be monitored by wildlife officials but won’t be moved unless they are causing trouble.
Yellowstone wolf pack missing again
Associated Press
CODY, Wyo. (AP) – The Nez Perce wolf pack has disappeared from Yellowstone National Park for the third time in as many years, though biologists are concerned the pack might not come back this time.
The pack, which could have as many as 20 members, has not been seen since mid-October. Its members have been spotted separately in recent days as far south as Green River, but no one has seen the entire pack.
The disappearance has almost become expected each winter, but the pack left earlier than usual this year, wolf biologist Doug Smith said.
“They’re moving around, but, to be honest, I don’t know why,” he said. “My best guess is that they’re probably looking for food. This is kind of an annual walkabout.”
Last year, the pack was spotted in the National Elk Refuge, 60 miles to the south, after disappearing in mid-December, eventually returning to the park.
The pack also disappeared from central Yellowstone in 2001, resurfacing in eastern Idaho, where members of the pack killed a dog before wandering back into the park.
Smith, however, said he’s not sure if the pack will return this year.
One of the pack’s males has been spotted with a female wolf near Green River. The wolf, one of nine pups brought to Yellowstone in 1996, may be the pack’s alpha male, Smith said.
“I think he’s gone for good,” he said.
Other members of the pack also appear to have splintered off. One was spotted near a lake west of Yellowstone while others have been seen near Old Faithful, indicating the pack may have broken up.
“It remains to be seen if they get back together,” Smith said. “Their pattern is (they wander off and) they get together in Yellowstone. I’m not sure that’s going to happen again this time.”
Wolf biologists have been searching for the pack every day. If spotted, the pack will be monitored by wildlife officials but won’t be moved unless they are causing trouble.
