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Terrestrial Wild Animals
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Carnivorous and Omnivores Animals, Excluding Felids
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Canids (Canidae) & Hyaenids (Hyaenidae)
Wolf (Canis lupus)
Wolf (Canis lupus)
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Wolf (Canis lupus)
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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.  *This image is copyright of its original author 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.  *This image is copyright of its original author 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.  *This image is copyright of its original author
Pro-Wolf North West:
"Night, the reserved, the reticent, gives more than it takes." ~ John Ashbery  *This image is copyright of its original author
Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary:
"Sleep is that golden chain that ties health and our bodies together." Thomas Dekker, 1572 - 1632. Photo of Nikki by Angel Borden.  *This image is copyright of its original author
 (08-21-2016, 08:49 PM)SVTIGRIS Wrote: Yes, everything is connected. The American Indians knew and so did many others making their home in the natural world. For the Dersus of this world, everything was spirited. I won't use the opportunity to start a debate on what 'knowledge' really is, but the video should be obligatory for dentists 'hunting' big game in regions where people often have no option but to dance for a few dollars. Yes, I was thinking of Africa. Although less than 5 minutes, the video is very informative.
Pro-Wolf North West:
"And when, on the still cold nights, he pointed his nose at a star and howled long and wolflike, it was his ancestors, dead and dust, pointing nose at star and howling down through the centuries and through him." - Jack London, The Call of the Wild  *This image is copyright of its original author
Mahesh Ghanekar
Sharing this video link, since file size is big. Thanks for considering. #ClawDoc #Mahesh Ghanekar https://www.facebook.com/gmahesh2000/vid...758350043/ Wolf encounter with feral dogs. #CLaWDoc : Encountered with a grassland Queen for more then 3 hours. witnessed strategic behavior of the beauty. There was a dead calf in front of us also some dead chickens in front. There were 4-5 stray dogs eating the same. She didn't dare to go near to the dogs when they were together, but once the dog was separated she attacked to snatch a chicken. She came close seeing one wolf. Indian Grey Wolf, Pune, Aug'16 #Mahesh Ghanekar  *This image is copyright of its original author #CLaWDoc : The Ultimate Strategist... Encountered with a grassland Queen for more then 3 hours. witnessed strategic behavior of the beauty. There was a dead calf in front of us also some dead chickens in front. There were 4-5 stray dogs eating the same. It was understandable why Dogs were going away taking couple of chickens in jaws and running away. The Queen was watching for opportunity standing on top of the hill on rear side. Rule when divided is the strategy she played.. She repeated the same 3-4 times.. She looked small in front of the dog. but she was fearless. She used to snatch kill from the dogs jaws.. and the dogs used to run away putting their tail between legs.  We were dumbstruck to watch the drama. Video coming soon. Indian Grey Wolf, Pune, Aug'16 #Mahesh Ghanekar  *This image is copyright of its original author
Pro-Wolf North West:
"The caribou feeds the wolf, but it is the wolf who keeps the caribou strong." - Keewation (Inuit) proverb Photo: © Phil Saunders  *This image is copyright of its original author
 
Photo and information credits: Running Wolf Nature Photography by Deby Dixon
"911M, alpha male of the Junction Butte Pack, was killed in Lamar Valley tonight by members of the Prospect Peak pack. Life can never be taken for granted, for it is here one second and gone the next. Today was one of those that makes one realize that they will never fully know wolves, for they are always full of surprises. The Prospect Peak pack traveled from Blacktail to Lamar yesterday and were unexpectedly found just south of the Buffalo Ranch this morning. Rick said that he and Lizzie were up on the Confluence hill, looking for the Lamars, when they got word of a black down at the river. The last wolves that they expected to see were members of the Prospects, 8 of them, including 3 pups. The wolves had an elk in the river, which was injured but still alive when they left to rest for most of the day. And, then, unexpectedly, Junction wolves appeared from the north, above the ranch, and a black yearling chased another cow elk into the river. But, those wolves soon disappeared. All was quiet and I left for about 30 minutes, during which time 911 came from the west, limping his way across the valley. 911 had a permanent injury to his left rear leg, but had recently sustained a new injury to his left front leg. There is some speculation that he had been shot in the shoulder. The new injury was painful and he tried hard to not put much weight on it. As luck would have it, 911 came across the cow elk that the Prospects had left standing in the river. I am told that he was worse after testing the elk and could barely walk. When I finally saw 911 stand up and move about it was obvious that he had a new injury to his right rear leg. The poor boy had only one good leg and could barely get around. He had also lost much weight in recent weeks. 911 bedded next to the river and it looked as though the elk was standing right beside him for quite a long time. After awhile the Prospect wolves emerged from the forest on Amethyst Bench and two blacks, one pup and one collared, eventually made it down to the elk, each individually going into the river and testing it, emerging unsuccessful. My stomach was in knots, certain that they would kill 911 and my head was screaming at him to get out of there. But, 911 held his ground and didn't do any more that lift his head to watch the two wolves, before resuming his nap. The Prospects went back up the hill and all bedded down. We saw 911 try the cow elk and there was a lot of splashing and some stomping before he came back to rest some more. I was completely baffled by 911 and his behavior - he knew that he was outnumbered and had to know that the other wolves would not go away but he seemed unconcerned. I wondered if they knew each other and if he felt safe somehow. But, that theory didn't ring true. And, then, 911 did the most extraordinary thing - he hobbled back into the river and killed the elk all by himself. For a wolf with 3 bad legs, the takedown looked quick and fairly easy. But, unfortunately, he only got a couple of bites before the Prospects came rushing down, cautiously. Obviously, they did not know what to think of 911 and were not going to make any rash moves. 911 got up and curled his back and snarled at one of the blacks that had come to his carcass and the wolf backed off. I kept thinking that he would make his getaway, now that there were 8 wolves looking at him, wondering what to do, but he just walked off a short ways and laid down to wait. Some of the Prospects went to the carcass but you could tell that they were nervous, maybe knowing that 911 had a big pack and worried that they would show up. There was no attack and they were leaving 911 alone, and so I thought he might be safe. It was getting dark and so I packed to leave, stopping along the way to talk to Rick. I had to ask if he had ever seen anything like that before and he said no. But, 911 had moved closer to the carcass and bedded again. Rick said, "You want to be watching this." I grabbed my scope and saw the Prospects approaching 911. The first wolf got snarled at and turned back and I thought maybe he would be okay. But, a large black went forth, right up to 911 and the 2 began fighting before the others joined in. It was awful to watch - I had feared for 911's safety half of the day and suddenly he was no longer safe. Five or 6 of the wolves joined the attack. I kept turning away from the scope, breathing and going back to watch. I had never seen anything like this before and was glad to be there with Rick and John Kerr - it helped somehow. In less than a minute 911 was dead. We talked about this some - 911's behavior was bizarre. He had time to leave but chose not to, despite knowing the danger. He was in tremendous pain from the injuries and it appeared as though he had not been with his pack for a couple of days. There was no way he could continue to live and thrive with his injuries, particularly if a lone wolf. It was almost as if he was waiting for the end that he knew would come once the Prospects got ahold of him. But, he never quit fighting. In the end, 911 showed me what an extraordinary wolf he was. He was always steady, there for his pack, and got along well with other wolves. 911 never caused problems - he wasn't mean. He saved the den and the pups this year by jumping in front of a grizzly. And, he was an accomplished bison hunter. 911 stole 970 from 755 2.5 years ago and they had 12 pups (some of which might have belonged to 907) in 2015. Six of ten gray pups disappeared. In 2016 970 denned away from the pack and we never saw her pups. The wolf project got a mortality code on 970 in May but were never able to find her body. After seeing the pain that 911 was in today, and watching his last, final, brave act of killing the elk despite his handicaps - he went out in a blaze of glory. His strength and dignity surpassing anything I have ever seen. RIP 911, you did good on this earth and we are all better off for you having been here. You will be missed but you left behind a great legacy and story. I'm sorry to all for our loss. This has always been my favorite photo of 911, taken soon after he was collared, in Lamar Valley where he died today."  *This image is copyright of its original author
Picture taken in Pajala, Sweden. Credits to Marja-Terttu Karlsson.
I think Fenrir was doing his patrol...  *This image is copyright of its original author
Canis lupus italicus
Photo and information credits: Bruno D'Amicis Wildlife Photography "Close encounter in winter/Un incontro ravvicinato in inverno. Abruzzo, Italy - 2015. © Bruno D'Amicis"  *This image is copyright of its original author
Credits to Deby Dixon.
The son or daughter of 755M who was the alpha male of the pack until he was displaced by younger, bigger males from the Mollies pack. |
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