Wolf pack doubles in size
Associated Press
JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) – The Teton Pack of wolves more than doubled in size in
recent months, growing to about 20 animals.
The increase reflects the expansion of wolf packs throughout the northern
Rockies as the species moves toward federal recovery goals.
Wildlife officials say two Teton Pack females bore pups this spring,
adding 11 wolves to the pack.
It is rare for two females from the same pack to have litters in the same
year, although the same two had pups last year, said Mike Jimenez, Wyoming
wolf coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
He estimates 10 adults are still with the pack after a few yearlings
separated from the rest.
It’s typical for wolf packs to split up once they grow beyond about 10
members, said Ed Bangs, wolf recovery coordinator for the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service’s northwest region. That’s how the animals control their
density.
The other pack roaming the Jackson Hole area – the Gros Ventre Pack – has
about four to six members, Jimenez said.
Since none of the animals are fitted with radio collars, wildlife
officials don’t know the pack’s exact size or weather pups have been born
this year.
Throughout the northern Rockies, wolves are making progress toward
recovery goals necessary for them to be removed from the endangered
species list.
For that to happen, 30 breeding pairs must be active across Wyoming,
Montana and Idaho for three consecutive years.
The criteria could be met as early as December, Bangs said.