Wolf (Canis lupus)

[Tshokwane]

Running Wolf Nature Photography by Deby Dixon:
755 was injured


We just watched 755 take a long, slow walk past Alum Creek, on the west side of the road. He was injured and had puncture wounds and blood on his rear. Not a lot of blood but I can see the puncture wounds in my photos. Will try and share later.

This was one of the saddest monents I have experienced in Yellowstone. My hands were shaking and I could barely operate the camera.
Unless there are injuries we can't see, I think he will be fine. But this could be the 2 minute warning by the Mollies. No doubt they could have killed him and none of them look injured.
755 was so comfortable with his pups and daughter yesterday. Alert, yes, but fairly relaxed. So glad that I got to see that - his moments, long ones, with his children.
Very sad day but Rick doesn't think he is out yet. I personally wish he would stay away and out of danger. But, he really is something - a true warrior.

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Lady Love was still gray, about the color of her daughter now and 755 still had some black, two years ago when they met.


It was awful to see him injured and struggling this morning - my heart has been breaking for this guy ever since the Mollies showed up. There have been scary moments, wonderful times and a whole lot of worrying that the news of the day would be bad.

Yesterday, when he came into the pups in the morning and evening, he looked so relaxed and confidant. He was keeping an eye out but it seemed like he might be back in, if even as a guest. And, to see him with his daughter again - it was wonderful. So glad I saw those moments because if he is to survive, he would be a lot better off to just stay away. I don't think he will - the boy has spirit and gumption like few humans could ever muster.

I love this moment, when we first saw the two together.

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755 picking his way across Alum Creek this morning


Here is a photo of 755, after he was injured, carefully making his way across the landscape this morning. It was slow going and appeared painful.
Last evening, 755 was at the rendezvous with his pups and daughter and they were just hanging out and being a family. However, when 755 came in he saw his black pup and mistook it for a Mollies. He went charging in in an aggressive manner, sending one pup to the east, never to be seen again last night. The other three headed towards the rendezvous but quickly realized that all was okay and returned to greet their daddy. I had seen the Mollies and alpha going out early in the morning and they had not returned yet. 755 was keeping a close eye out but he seemed fairly confidant, like it was normal for him to spend the evening with his family and that there were no conflicts. I left as all six wolves were making their way NW from the rendezvous and we joked that he was trying to kidnap the pups again.

Shortly after I left, I heard that the alpha crossed the road back to the rendezvous and that the Mollies were stuck on the other side of the road. So, we don't know if the injury happened this morning or last night. I'm thinking that the blood is cleaned up pretty well and that the wound, a puncture on his hip, looks clean as well, so maybe last night. I would imagine that things would not be friendly if the Mollies came in and found 755 with Lady Love!

This morning, early, I heard howling from the rendezvous and then was able to find the wolves playing out in the fog. They were shapes running back and forth. Then a grizzly came through and they all disappeared. A short time later the adults came out into the fog and were playing hard as they traveled. Then they disappeared into some thick fog and I did not see them again until the reappeared from the north. We had the whole family out on the Yellowstone when 755 was spotted on the other side of the road, slowly making his way through the sagebrush. When he came out into the open we could see the blood on his hip and my photos show a fairly large puncture wound. I also think that there might be blood on his neck, just a big, but can't be sure.

For the size and youth of the Mollies, I am thinking that 755 was spared one more time. I worry that he got a little confidant that things might go his way and either let his guard down or got defensive. Either way, I get the impression that 755 is not looking to be low man on the totem pole with his family - I think he wants them back to himself and is trying to figure out how to make that happen. It is my guess that if 755 is unwilling to accept just being a member of the pack, he will be in danger because the Mollies don't look like they are going anywhere, any time soon. And, the alpha seems quite content with her new boyfriends.

But, as we have seen over the past weeks, anything can and will happen. Everything changes in an instant. But, for now, 755 is, or should be, out of the game while he recovers. I truly hope that he stays away and keeps himself safe. But, every day I dread bad news as this drama unfolds.

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