Wolf Transplanted To Yellowstone Gives Birth; Male Is Missing

One of the wolves transplanted this year to Yellowstone National Park as part of a federal recovery effort has given birth.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said Thursday that biologists discovered a litter of either seven or eight pups in an area near Red Lodge, Mont. A Fish and Wildlife biologist saw the litter late Wednesday and said the mother and pups seem to be in good condition.

Fish and Wildlife spokeswoman Sharon Rose said normally all members of the wolf pack help the female care for the young. But in this case, the male wolf is missing and presumed dead after its radio collar was found last week near Red Lodge. The agency said that because the mother is dependent on others for food while she weans the children, biologists will bring in carcasses for the group.

The wolf had not dug a den for her pups, Rose said. Biologists believe the wolf was waiting for her mate to return, possibly to continue to search for a den site, she said.

The animal is among 14 Canadian gray wolves relocated to Yellowstone as part of an effort to return the endangered species to habitat the predators were eliminated from more than 60 years ago. The female wolf and her mate moved north out of the park after their release earlier this year.

Rodger Schlickeisen, president of the Defenders of Wildlife, said his group hoped to celebrate the birth by giving a $5,000 reward to the rancher on whose land the litter was found.

“Now we know that Yellowstone wolf No. 10 did not die without leaving his mark on wildlife conservation history, because his mate has just given birth to seven pups. Out of tragedy came - literally - rebirth,” he said.