Breeding Season for the Lamar Canyon Pack

This morning we took some family out to see wolves and other wildlife before they had to be on their way back home. We left at 7 and were back to Gardiner by 10:30, but boy did we see some amazing sights! Not much activity was going on until we got just past the Buffalo Ranch. I knew of a bison carcass close to the road, so we headed there. Across the road to the north we saw the Lamar Canyon Pack, less than 1/2 mile away. We had a great view through the scope. We were watching, eyes glued to the scope and then realized they were mating, and attempting to mate. It was an amazing thing to see. I have included some videos and a photo below. This was my first time seeing mating behavior and it is cool to have the chance to see this part of their life cycle. I hope you enjoy this rare opportunity we were able to capture on film.

We also saw lots of beautiful bighorn rams, who are hanging in their bachelor groups this time of year. There were two otters (just one in photo) on the Lamar River near Confluence too!

A little background on the Lamar Canyon Pack:
The Lamar Canyon Pack was established (first litter of pups) the spring of 2010. They got together before that but make an official pack when they have their first pups successfully. The alpha female is a wolf we call "'06 Female" because she was born in 2006. She has been collared this winter so we are awaiting her new "official" number. She bred with several males before deciding on a couple of black colored brothers, #754 and #755. #755 is now the alpha male and is slightly smaller than his brother. Last year this pack had four grey pups. One male grey has left the pack to find his own. We don't know where he is currently. The other three stayed with the pack. This spring the pack had 5 pups, four females and one male (4 blacks one grey). The male pup is black. He was recently injured in a dispute with the Mollie's Pack. In the videos you will see '06 breeding with 755. In one video they are "tied." In another you can see a black collared wolf walk by to the left, that is the brother, 754. There is also a yearling or grey pup seen in some of the video and in the photo. Enjoy!