For those familiar with the Bow Valley Pack of wolves in Banff National Park, it has been a very unusual winter. At this time of year with luck, persistence and knowledge of wolf movements, it’s not uncommon to come across the pack of wolves that frequents the Bow Valley.
Each winter they travel throughout their territory between Banff and Kootenay National Parks. This winter the pack appears to have splintered with what appears to be only a few juveniles remaining. No concrete information on what has happened to the breeding adults (known locally as ‘Faith’ and ‘Spirit’) has surfaced, but with no sightings of them over the past several months the most likely explanation is that they are no longer alive. Both were getting up in age with each estimated to be around 9 and 11 years old.
In Spirit’s case, his canine teeth were worn down almost to the jaw line and after most hunts it was not uncommon to see him and Faith limping around for several days or weeks. Only three wolf pups were born in 2014, down from their usual number of 6, which was another indication that their time as the resident pack in the Bow Valley was coming to an end.
If indeed they are no longer alive, it will take a while before a new wolf pack moves in and gets established. Time will tell, but for the moment it seems the wolves of the Bow Valley are in a state of flux.
Owen Slater Photography 
It’s such a shame that the pack are now fragmented. The Bow Valley wolf pack have so much to contend with. A railway line, two busy highways where most drivers don’t care why there is a speed limit posted as long as they get where they are going as fast as they possibly can and traps just outside the parks boundaries. Let’s hope another breeding couple arrive in the Bow Valley quickly and establish a pack again.
Hi Kathleen. In this case it seems to be a natural cycle, at least for the adults. The pups and yearlings seem to be much more affected by the human induced causes you mention. Yes, I’m sure with time a new pack will set up in the area. It will be interesting to see how it plays out.
I appreciate the update to go with the great photos. It’s nice to hear about changes that seem to part of the natural order rather than by human intervention.
Yes, in this case it seems to be a natural cycle. Cheers,
Owen
the cycle we observe in our dogs (18 of them) some have lost their place in the pack for the last 3 years
That’s a lot of dogs…you must be very busy all the time with that many!
Great post Owen! The photos are beautiful and I loved learning a bit about the wolves of Bow Valley.
Hi Erin…glad to hear you enjoyed it and thanks for taking the time to comment!
I’ve been lucky enough to live close by these wolves and see them up close for a few years. Sometimes I would go for runs and we’d notice each other. They are stunning, and formidable… I’m glad you’re able to get great photographs of them but I also hope they are left in peace to thrive… I can only imagine the tourists coming around and ruining their solitude.
Thanks for commenting. The two adults survived in Banff for as long as any wild wolves would normally live for and had pups every year they were in the area. I think the trade-offs of having people see wild wolves and gaining more of an appreciation for them outweighs the occasional disturbance they experience in the park.
beautiful pictures of the wolves
Thanks! Always a thrill to see and photograph them.
the swedish wolves are not black but they are also beautiful to see och photograph