Yellowstone National Park’s renowned one-eyed wolf, 907F, passed away on December 25, 2024, due to injuries sustained in a confrontation with the rival Rescue Creek pack.
At 11.8 years old, 907F significantly outlived the typical Yellowstone wolf, which has an average lifespan of 3.5 to 4 years.
The altercation occurred on December 22, when 907F and her pups were feeding on a bison carcass in the Little America area of Yellowstone. The Rescue Creek pack, originating as an offshoot of the Junction Butte pack, crossed the Yellowstone River and engaged in a fight with 907F’s group. Although 907F survived the initial encounter, her injuries proved fatal, leading to her death on Christmas Day.
Throughout her life, 907F overcame numerous challenges, including the loss of her left eye around age four and a persistent limp in her later years. Despite these obstacles, she led the Junction Butte pack for many years and was remarkably reproductively successful, giving birth to several litters of pups. Biologists were particularly astonished when she delivered another litter in the spring of 2024, even at her advanced age.
Wildlife researcher Taylor Rabe expressed a sense of solace in 907F’s natural passing, stating, “It gives us peace to know that she went in a natural manner.” Montana resident Jeff Reed, who had followed 907F for years, echoed this sentiment, appreciating that she died naturally within the park.
The legacy of 907F endures, highlighting the resilience and challenges faced by wildlife in Yellowstone National Park.
