Stranger in the Woods

COLORADO WOLF STORIES V

Photo by Clint McKnight

Note: This continuing story is a work of informed speculation. It tells the imagined experiences of a family of gray wolves who represent the 10 actual wolves captured in Oregon and released in Colorado in December 2023 as directed by a state voter initiative.

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Under a canopy of tall pines, on a steep hillside above a rushing creek, the coal-black Mother Wolf considers the risky situation before her. She must usher her family through the cold waters, across an adjacent dirt road, and into the woods on the other side.

Her mate, the Big Gray, is already confidently descending the slope, but her four pups, now grown enough to accompany them on this expedition, have not faced such a challenge before.

The sibling sisters appear typically unconcerned, playfully tussling with each other. Little Wolf, on the other hand, is still smallest of the litter, and he eyes the swollen creek with great discomfort. His brother, with a black coat like their mother’s, also looks uneasy about what lies ahead.

For the adults, an opportunity hangs in the air that is not to be missed. They have caught the scent of a carcass in the next valley, which represents an unexpected food source. Mother Wolf also knows this can be an important learning experience for her young ones.

If she can just get them all across the water.

Down the slope they go. At creek’s edge, the churning current drowns out all other sounds but Little Wolf’s whimpering. The gray male looks back to gain his attention, then he leaps in, swimming with the flow toward the other side.

Mother Wolf gives a nudge to her two strongest pups. The sisters fearlessly take the plunge and are immediately swept downstream. They swim hard, though, and are making their way across despite the powerful current.

Big Gray is now standing on the opposite bank, vigorously shaking the cold water from his coat. The coal-black female watches with satisfaction as the sisters also reach the far side. She then silently regards her two fearful male pups, who look up at her with expectant eyes. Hoping to encourage them, she jumps in.

Little Wolf howls in protest. His brother takes a bravely uncertain step forward. He wavers at the bank, then flops into the rushing creek and is swiftly carried away, flailing to keep his head above water.

Midstream in her own crossing, Mother Wolf immediately returns for her struggling pup. She swiftly catches up with him and guides him back to solid ground.

She reassembles with her two reluctant swimmers, licking their faces as they eagerly return the affection. It’s clear to her that the brothers must return to the rendezvous site on their own. Their hunting lesson may be over, but it has not been a failure. Something is learned with every new effort, and in the life of a gray wolf, caution can be as much a virtue as courage.

Recrossing the creek, Mother Wolf looks back to see her male pups yowling in dismay at their abandonment. But after a few moments, instinct kicks in as she hoped it would, and they bound into the underbrush for home.

Diminished but undeterred, the group trots briskly across the dirt road. As they climb the slope back into the forest, a frightening guttural roar fills the narrow valley behind them. Mother Wolf knows this sound, and she swiftly leads her youngsters deeper into the woods. The gray male pauses to look back, as a logging truck rumbles down the dirt road past the spot where they just crossed.

As the wolves move along the forested flank of the mountain, under the sharp complaints of tree squirrels, the smell of the carcass is growing stronger. Even the distracted pups notice now and they yip with excitement. Big Gray’s attention, however, is captured by a new scent—one of profound concern—and he rushes toward the front of the procession.

Mother Wolf lets him pass. She has noted something alarming too, and if there is to be trouble ahead, it will be best for the pups that her powerful mate encounter it first.

Now the pack is descending the slope toward a blue marsh where beavers have dammed a stream creating a flooded riparian area. It’s perfect habitat for a variety of wildlife, from water birds to amphibians to moose. In fact, crumpled amid the cattails, and attended by a trio of scavenging ravens, is the carcass of the huge bull moose that drew them here from so far away.

This is an exciting find. Everyone in the family will eat well today, the adults stuffing themselves to bring back meat for the two brothers. But the gray male suddenly comes to a halt, as does his mate. Even the pups cease their antics. All four are now riveted by the same thing. Just beyond the carcass is another seeker who was attracted here.

It is a wolf.

During all the months they have lived in this new world, Big Gray and the coal-black female have only heard the far-away howl of another wolf on a couple of occasions. They have never actually seen any others of their kind.

This electrifying moment can play out any number of ways, but even in the hyper-competitive world of gray wolves, a solitary stranger will generally recognize his weaker position and withdraw. Desperation, however, could compel him to fight for this food source, and if so, he presents a dangerous challenge.

Big Gray’s hackles rise. He will do anything necessary for his family. He bares his teeth and emits a terrible low growl. Its meaning is unmistakable: this moose is mine. The unknown wolf responds with threats of his own. His ears flatten against his head as he crouches, advances, and the two wolves are like thundering dark storms moving slowly toward each other.

With the sister pups cowering behind her, Mother Wolf has remained frozen in place, transfixed by this stranger: so unexpected, so coal-black in color like herself—like herself! She suddenly breaks out in a shattering howl that stops the two males in their tracks.

Mother Wolf steps forward, tail wagging. She knows this wolf! It is her own sibling who was captured at the same time she was. During their ordeal in the metal crates, she sensed he was nearby but had not seen him until now. This wolf is her brother.

The stranger shifts his attention to the female, and his expression instantly changes. His ears go up as he utters a yip of recognition. The two coal-black wolves run toward each other, pawing, play bowing, and licking each others’ muzzles in ecstatic reunion.

Observing this stunning turn of events, Big Gray relaxes. He sits and exhales. The sister pups gather beside him, beaming with relief, their tails swishing back and forth in the tall grass.

Mother Wolf gives her mate a glance. He rises to join the elated siblings, thoroughly sniffing this newfound relation, who responds with respectful submission and discreet sniffing of his own. The sister pups show no such reserve, eagerly swarming their mysterious uncle, jumping up in greeting, and vocalizing happily.

And then—finally—the wolves feast.