8 Wolf Pups Escape After Pen Damaged

All eight of the pups of one of the Canadian wolves reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park escaped the Rose Creek pen they were being held in after two trees were blown onto fence panels, creating openings at the bottom.

Superintendent Mike Finley said wolf biologist Doug Smith discovered the damage on Monday.

He said he found only the adult female in the pen and the pups outside but in the immediate area. Later, three of the pups reentered the pen, but biologists left when the female became agitated.

The pups are about 13 weeks old and weigh between 25 and 30 pounds.

Wildlife biologists expect to make final decisions on future management of the wolf family soon, Finley said.

The female and her pups were placed in the Rose Creek pen after her mate was illegally killed in the Red Lodge area in April. They were scheduled to be released in September or October. xxxx