The Death Of A Prince -
Remains Of Druid Peak Pack Alpha Male #21 Found

I created this website as a memorial to an extraordinary wolf whose reign as the pride of Yellowstone ended years before its time. Little did I know back then that my three part website had only just begun.

I have been following the lives and very sad deaths of all the original Rose Creek pack members since 1995 and now it is time to say goodbye to its last, and without doubt, most beloved member, Alpha male #21.

Male #21 was a born leader and true prince among wolves. He was watched, admired, filmed and photographed by thousands of devoted followers since late 1997 when he became the Alpha of the Druid Peak pack. #21 was probably the most famous wolf in the world and everyone who knew him loved him.

#21 was also a devoted mate and loving, patient father to his many offspring. He even willingly accepted and cared for the offspring of a few of his daughters who strayed long enough to mate and then returned to the pack. This act of kindness spoke volumes about just how special #21 was.

Many faithful wolf watchers noticed the absence of #21 on June 11th and he was listed as missing about a week later.

In the weeks following his disappearance some came to believe that #21 had probably been mortally wounded while out on a hunt with a few pack members. A yearling female, who has since died, turned up with a broken leg on or about the same day that #21 was first reported missing and her fatal injury has been attributed to the same hunt gone terribly wrong.

On July 19th riders on horseback found a carcass and non-working radio collar in a remote area known as Opal Creek. After careful examination of the carcass officials confirmed it to be the remains of #21. Because of the deterioration of the carcass the cause of #21's death will never be known but Park officials believe he died of "natural" causes. He may have been mortally wounded by his prey but more likely, he fell victim to other wolves.

The painfully sad death of #21 brings an end to not only the original Rose Creek Pack, but also to the days of the great Druid Peak pack. With the deaths of both #42F and #21M, (especially #21) the Druid Peak pack will never be the same.

*Footnote:
The only other sibling from the famous 1995 litter that I have not written much about is Alpha female #18F. (Alpha of the Rose Creek pack from Oct.'99-'03?). #18F disappeared from her pack sometime between the summer of '02 and the winter of '03.

Nobody was aware of #18's absence from the pack for quite sometime because of the pack's remote location, and contrary to earlier reports, she did not wear a radio collar. (This is why I have so few updates about her). #18F was last seen tending a litter of pups during the summer of 2002.