302M facts for kids
302M, also known as Casanova, was a famous wolf who lived in Yellowstone National Park from 2000 to 2009. He was an important part of the Yellowstone Wolf Project, which helped bring wolves back to the park. Many people learned about him from documentaries like In the Valley of the Wolves by PBS and Rise of Black Wolf by National Geographic.
Contents
Meet 302M: A Famous Yellowstone Wolf
302M was a very well-known wolf in Yellowstone. He got the nickname Casanova because of his interactions with other wolves. His life story helps us understand how wolf packs work and how they live in the wild.
Early Life and Pack Roles
302M was born into a group of wolves called the Leopold pack. In a wolf pack, there are leaders. The main leader is called the alpha. The alpha wolf makes many decisions for the pack.
Growing Up in the Pack
When 302M was young, he spent time with the alpha's daughters. Later, when another wolf named 21M was the alpha, 302M helped raise a group of young wolves, called a litter. This shows he was an active member of the pack.
Becoming a Beta Male
After a while, the two alpha wolves of the Leopold pack were no longer around. 302M then joined the pack as the beta male. The beta male is like the second-in-command, helping the alpha lead the pack. In 2004, his younger brother, 480M, became the new leader of the Leopold pack.
Forming a New Pack
By 2005, only a few wolves were left in the Leopold pack. 302M decided it was time for a change. He left his old pack and started traveling with a group of five younger male wolves. These younger wolves were his sons and nephews.
Journey to New Territory
They traveled through areas where other wolf packs lived. This can be risky for wolves. In late 2008, 302M and his group met four female wolves. There was one adult, one young adult, and two younger wolves. Together, they formed a brand new group called the Blacktail Plateau pack. 302M became the leader of this new pack.
The End of His Journey
302M led the Blacktail Plateau pack for a short time. In October 2009, he passed away. He died from injuries he got during fights with other wolves. This is a natural part of life for wild wolves, as they often have to defend their territory and their pack.
