![]() ![]() Since the reintroduction of gray wolves to Yellowstone 20 years ago scientists have been gathering data on survival and reproduction, mortality and hunting. I like to imagine this consummate observer and naturalist would be happy to hear the work he began nearly 80 years ago has continued with the return of the wolf to Yellowstone National Park. His field notes may have been the first time in history these territorial, aggressive accounts were written down. ![]() Murie followed one pack closely for several years, watching them raise pups, hunt prey, and even chase and attack intruding wolves. It was 1940 and Adolph Murie was hired to record data on wolves and Dall sheep in Denali National Park (then called Mount McKinley). ![]() The two ran out of my sight under the ridge from which I was watching.” They chased after it about 200 yards to the river bar, and the mantled male crossed the bar after it. Twice it was knocked over as it ran down the slope with five wolves in hot pursuit. The attack continued, however, so it scrambled to its feet and with difficulty emerged from the snapping wolves. It rolled over on its back, begging quarter. But something tipped the scales the other way for the wolves began to bite at the stranger. “All the wolves trotted to the stranger and practically surrounded it, and for a few moments I thought that they would be friendly toward it for there was just the suggestion of tail wagging by some of them. ![]()
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