Thank you

Apache died a week ago today. When we announced his death, we expected that the news would weigh heavy on the hearts of many. We did not anticipate, however, the scale of Apache’s impact on people all around the world. Thank you so much for sharing your kind words, memories and photos. It has become clear that the Apache’s territory far exceeds the boundaries of our gates.

A Tribute to Apache

Apache, the leader of the Wolf Conservation Center's "ambassador"
pack, passed away on March 10, 2010 at the age of 12. A benevolent alpha, Apache thrilled tens of thousands of visitors lucky enough to howl along with him. His presence and personality will be missed.

Music: "Do you realize?" by The Flaming Lips

Rest in Peace

Apache
May 5, 1997 - March 10, 2010

"We reached the old wolf in time to watch a fierce green fire dying in her eyes. I realized then, and have known ever since, that there was something new to me in those eyes - something known only to her and to the mountain."
~ Aldo Leopold, A Sand County Almanac


I couldn't help but recall this essay when the fire within the eyes of our benevolent leader slowly faded this afternoon. Apache the ambassador wolf died today from cancer. It's difficult to find words, perhaps that is why I am borrowing some of Aldo Leopold's most powerful ones from "Thinking Like a Mountain." It is unlikely that Leopold could have imagined the far-reaching impact his words would have. Apache's influence was great as well, he touched all who were lucky enough to hear his howl.

The End of an Era

The Druid Pack, perhaps Yellowstone's most famous pack, is in danger of "fading away."




Wolves were exterminated from Yellowstone Park in the mid-1920’s. In the absence of natural predators, the elk population gradually increased over the next 70 years. In 1995 and 1996, Canadian gray wolves were transported from Canada to Yellowstone National Park with the expectation that the species would repopulate the sprawling landscape and restore balance in the the declining ecosystem. In 1996 a number of the wolves introduced to Yellowstone were related and five of these animals were released together. They were named the Druid Peak pack. Since the arrival of those first immigrants, wolves have thrived in Yellowstone — and none more dramatically than the Druids. It's been 14 years now and the Druids have been the subject of two feature length documentaries by National Geographic and thus inspiring people far beyond the boundaries of the park. The pack is now down to one wolf. It seems that an era has ended.

To read more from Ralph Maughan's Wildlife News, please click "Here".
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To learn how you can join us in Yellowstone this May, please click "Here"
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Body Language of Love?

Here's some recent video of our exhibit red wolves. Can you see why we think pups may be on the way? Keep your fingers crossed!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day: a time for flowers, romantic dinners, and, if you're a wolf intent on breeding, something a little different.

When red wolves F1387 and M1483 met at the Wolf Conservation Center only a few short months ago, they were a bit shy. That seemed quite natural, but we were very happy when we began to observe courtship signs such as following each other, parallel walking, and what seemed like flirtatious play. Lately though, the relationship appears to be progressing quite, uh, fluidly, as we've seen the two engage in double marking. It's no box of chocolates, but if it works we're all for it!

Have Wolves Returned to Colorado?

Photo: Rebecca Bose

Although Colorado has not been home for wolves since they were exterminated by federally-funded bounties in the 1940s, a small number of lone wolves have wandered into the state over the past few years (read WCC post here). These lone travelers got everyone talking and now Colorado wolves are in the headlines again. The High Country News is reporting that wolves could be quietly living in Colorado and a DNA test on some scat samples (fecal samples) could prove it!


To read more from The High Country News, please click "Here".

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