Pack conflict blamed for wolf death
JACKSON – A conflict within the Teton Pack is considered a possible cause of a collared wolf’s death.
The body of Wolf No. 200 was found April 30 in the northeastern corner of Grand Teton National Park.
The death of the 6-year-old female remains under investigation. But federal wolf biologist Mike Jimenez has had suspicions since he discovered that she had given birth to pups. The fate of the pups is unclear. Since her death, however, another female wolf, No. 228, has been occupying the den of No. 200.
Whether No. 228 has become a surrogate mother to the dead wolf’s pups or whether it has its own pups remains uncertain.
For two years in a row, both females produced litters for the Teton Pack. This past winter, however, No. 228 has acted as if she did not have pups and was observed wandering alone in mid-April.
Once the pups leave the den, biologists will look at them to see which adult female they resemble.
Park officials and Jimenez suspect natural causes of some kind killed wolf No. 200. There were no signs of human activity where the dead wolf was found.