Yellowstone’s Legendary ‘Queen of the Wolves’ Killed by Rival Pack

One of Yellowstone Natural Park’s most famous denizens has sadly passed away. Wildlife researchers confirm that long-lived wolf 907F is also known “Queen of wolves“-died this Christmas.

The Wolf 907F was the first to die Report local media outlet CowboyStateDaily late last month. According to researchers from the Yellowstone Wolf, Cougar and Elk Project, 907F died from injuries sustained during a territorial fight with a rival wolf pack days before his death. The exceptionally tough and battle-scarred dog lived 11.8 years, three times longer than the average wild wolf.

The 907F was well known for its robustness. Born in 2013, she overcame a severe case of mange early in life and eventually became the alpha female of the Junction Butte Wolf Pack in 2017, according to Project researchers. He eventually lost his position, but remained an important member of the pack.

Around the age of four, 907F lost his left eye, probably due to fighting. And in the years that followed, he was often seen having sex. But he continued to improve his life long. She had several litters of chicks, the latest of which arrived May 2024 At the age of 11 – an amazing feat. Although the exact number of her cubs remains unknown, project researcher Taylor Rabe told CowboyStateDaily that 907F is “the most reproductively successful wolf in Yellowstone history.”

Most wild wolves typically live three to four years. And since their reintroduction to the area 30 years ago, only six wolves living in Yellowstone have been recorded surviving in 11, according to Smithsonian Magazine (Somewhere between 83 and 123 wolves currently living Yellowstone). But even legends die eventually.

According to project researchers, 907F and his pack got into a fight with a rival pack that entered their territory on December 22. Although the 907F survived the initial combat, her injuries proved too severe to overcome. By Thursday morning, her lack of movement — as recorded by a radio caller — made it clear she had died the day before Christmas.

While 907F’s death is sad, especially for the many researchers and wolf enthusiasts who followed him over the years, it does come with a silver lining of sorts. Many wolves and other wild animals often die as a result of human activity, such as motor vehicle collisions. So as violent as 907F’s end was, it was at least on its own wolf terms, the researchers say.

“It’s sad. But for all of us in the project in particular, we always want to see a wolf die a natural death without being killed by humans,” Rabe told CowboyStateDaily. “It gives us peace that he went naturally.”