Arsene's pack is doing well, and we're happy to be able to follow the members through our camera traps. It gives us a much better understanding of their general dynamics and organization.
We can confirm that we had no video of the breeding couple between the end of April and mid-June, which is not unusual. In fact, this period corresponds to the cubs whelping and their first weeks of development. During this period, everything revolves around them, but also around feeding Lupine. She remained in the den for a few weeks to nurse her cubs and keep them warm. Arsene took care of the hunting, moving around very little according to our observations and findings (which are confidential unfortunately). The pair have therefore remained off the radar, and we're delighted to see Arsene & Lupine again, and to know they're all doing fine.
The cubs are still in and around the den, growing up and discovering their environment, particularly through play. They're not visible yet, so no information can be given on the number of new arrivals in Arsene's pack.
Ella, the sub-adult, left the pack in the second half of April and hasn't rejoined since. This is a well-known phenomenon, as the reproductive female doesn't allow any member of the pack, apart from the lucky new father, to approach the den. The subadult moves around a lot, which again isn't surprising. Below, you can see one of its passages in front of our camera trap, as well as a video of Arsene & Lupine.
We're currently in a phase of intense observation and stalking, enabling us to analyze the pack's situation and dynamics.
Since May, we already spent more than 120 hours out on the wolf prowl, and almost as many observing and studying the area, based on the information and knowledge we've gathered. We've been able to obtain a great deal of valuable and highly interesting data, which is an excellent start.
In the coming weeks, the cubs will be on their way to the "rendezvous point", the place where they're left while their parents go hunting. It's not impossible that Ella will join her parents again, but given her personality, she could also decide to leave the pack for good, in automn. We'll see...
We'll be back soon with news of Arsene, Lupine, Ella and the little wolvies...
Reminder: the videos about the wolves pack posted on our website aren't current, a more or less long delay is left before any publication. We do this to ensure the safety of Arsene's pack. Some videos won't be published, as they could be used to identify or locate the pack. Only discreet camera traps are used here, and the videos are mostly nocturnal. The videos, whether they concern wolves or wildlife, are also "cut". This may alter the quality of the image, but the safety of the Arsene's pack is our major concern, fundamental and non-negotiable.
Article : TT - Wolf Mission
Photo : Fabien Bruggmann
Videos : Wolf Mission
