When you’re part of a wolf pack, there are rules to follow. Many alpha wolf couples will actively discourage last year’s offspring from mating to avoid more mouths to feed, but in this film a young female pup has other ideas.
As her parents are busy hunting for bison her head is turned by a lone male wolf, who is following behind the pack. He has no territory of his own, but waits for opportunities and scavenges when he can.
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The lone wolf wants to mate, but needs to avoid being caught by the alpha wolves, as he could then be killed by the pack leader.
And he’s in luck - the alpha couple’s daughter wolf sneaks off to meet with him. The only problem is, when wolves mate they lock together for half an hour to ensure fertilisation. The phenomenon is known as a ‘tie’ and can be seen with many other canine species. And it’s not helpful when you’re trying to be on the down-low.
Their connection is broken up by the arrival of the alpha male, who makes the lone wolf panic and pull the female around, before being separated and then chased away.
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Top image: a side view of a gray wolf on snowy ground. Credit: Ibrahim Suha Derbent via Getty
