- Summer, Year 2 - The pups continued to grow stronger into Spring. We had some concerns that their early start in winter would put them at a disadvantage but as the weather warms and the grasses in the plains of the valley brown with the heat it seems quite clear that all the pups are growing strong and well.
Only a couple weeks ago they began to emerge from the den more often, exploring and playing with their older siblings and their parents. They all seem to be growing larger than their older brothers were at the same age—a testament to the experience of their parents.
Although the adults continue to have success hunting both the alpha male and the outside female seem to have acquired wounds recently. The alpha male was injured a few weeks ago at the end of spring; his injuries seemed consistent with a fight with another wolf which is not uncommon for the pack. This wound seemed particularly severe but healed well—he now has a visible scar on his hind leg.
The unrelated female, Areki, sustained a similar injury on a recent hunt this week. Although it was a successful hunt, and of an elk, no less, we can see her leg is injured quite badly and seems to be causing her a great deal of pain. We can only hope she recovers as well as the alpha did and that she is able to continue to hunt with the pack, or that they can make due without her.