The story of the alpha wolf of Yellowstone, matriarch of the forests

In the world of nature, as in the territory of human beings, we frequently reinforce somewhat biased ideas. We are a product of our culture, of what is transmitted to us and often, with that limited vision, we miss the wonderful greatness of this world we inhabit. Because… What if we told you that we had to completely reframe the concept of “alpha wolf”?

This is what the naturalist, writer and photographer Rick McIntyre tells us in his latest book The Alpha Female Wolf: The Fierce Legacy of Yellowstone’s 06. Females are the true leaders of the wolf packs. Alpha wolves exist and roam the lush forests hunting, guiding, caring for their young, and choosing which territory to live in.

They have unique characteristics that make them excellent guides for your group. They are born bosses by character, by instinct and by attitude. Furthermore, if this were not decisive, it is interesting to know that they act as learning models for young males. We have undoubtedly neglected the female role in wild nature where they also rule.

Alpha wolves promote the survival of the pack with their behavior.

0-Six, the alpha wolf of Yellowstone

Before revealing the magnificent, but tragic story of the alpha wolf of Yellowstone, we must talk about that figure who knew her more than anyone else. Rick McIntyre is a naturalist and photographer, someone Jane Goodall calls “the guru of wolf behavior.” Few people know, know and have spent so many hours observing and studying the lives of these animals, rain, shine or snow.

He has worked for more than forty years as a wildlife ranger and wolf researcher for the American National Park Service. His books have been awarded all over the world and the last one, published just a month ago, has been precisely The Alpha Female Wolf. In its pages it tells us the life of 0-Six, a wolf born in Yellowstone and in the Agate Creek Wolves pack.

The life story of this animal is just a small example of a reality that, according to McIntyre, is more common than we think. After studying wild wolves in Alaska and Yellowstone for four decades, he can say unequivocally that the herds are led by females.

The alpha male works for the alpha wolf

We tend to assume that in wolf packs, the largest and most conspicuous male takes the role of leader. However, the reality is different. McIntyre explains that, in reality, alpha males work for alpha wolves, the true dominants in the groups. They are in charge and they act executively under their influence and guidance.

O-Six, the alpha wolf of Yellowstone, was an example of this.. Born in 2006, she soon became a dominant breeding female. At only three years old she left the home of her birth to claim another territory and be the leader of the Lamar Canyon pack. There was a river there, there was abundant game and it was an ideal place for the babies to grow up in safety.

It was an animal with gray fur and distinctive black ovals around its eyes. The most striking thing about 0-Six was his strength, agility, and intelligence. She could kill large prey such as elk on her own and was always on the lookout for the wolves so that they did not separate from the group.

What is special about alpha wolves?

The Yellowstone alpha wolf was a fiercely protective animal. During all the years that Rick McIntyre followed her, he never ceased to be amazed by her abilities. Throughout her short life she raised three litters of puppies and all of them survived. She did not lose any of them, despite having to face more than one grizzly bear that sought to devour her little ones.

The alpha wolf’s main obligation is to fight for the protection of her group, especially her cubs.A leader female will have violent fights with other alpha females from nearby packs over hunting territory.. This interspecies rivalry is common and what they do in those cases is accompanied by the strongest male wolves to support them in these confrontations. Something that the naturalist Rick McIntyre has discovered in his observations is that Alpha female wolves have better planning ability than males. They are the ones who make the most decisive decisions, those that the group later abides by. The male wolves follow and obey them because they were raised by a female and, this influence determines them for life to respectfully assume the leadership of the matriarchs. .

Our forests are led by many matriarchs, alpha wolves who care for their young and guide their pack.

O-Six, the matriarch of Yellowstone Park who became a legend

O-Six, Yellowstone’s alpha wolf, was said to be the star of the park. She was because she allowed herself to be photographed, because it was easy to spot her with her puppies and because tourists frequently came just to see her. However, if this animal also became a legend among wolf lovers, it was because of its tragic end.

In 2012, O-Six made a mistake that he may not have even been aware of. Yellowstone Park is protected territory, but she wanted to explore another area and came to Crandall, Wyoming, during wolf hunting season in 2012. He died from a shot by a hunter. The news immediately reached the New York Times and the law that allows the killing of these animals was debated again.

The matriarch of the Yellowstone forests was the subject of a National Geographic documentary and, of course, Rick McIntyre dedicated a book to her with a prologue from Jane Goodall herself. The fire, tenderness, intelligence and wildness of alpha wolves is a reality that inspires and invites reflection. His legacy and his presence continue to travel through our forests.

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