Wolf Stories
Like dogs, wolves have unique traits that define and differentiate them, capture our hearts, and bring us joy and tears.
Yellowstone National Park is the best place in the world to see wild wolves in their natural habitat. However, once a wolf leaves the protection of the park not even their popularity or the economic prosperity that comes from wolf watching tourism can keep them safe.
Video: Watch 06s daughters and sons play in Yellowstone's Lamar Valley. This footage was taken just two months before their mother was shot and killed before their eyes. A wolf pack is a family; losing a loved one is like the experience of any of us losing a mother, father, daughter, son, sister or brother. As you get to know wolves, it's quite obvious their lives are meaningful.
And while survival in nature is challenging, no wolf would ask for an easier life — just the chance to live wild, free, and without the threat of humans who want to kill them. We share the life stories of these well-known and beloved wolves to honor their extraordinary lives, with the hope they will inspire you to take action.
06
An extraordinary leader, mother, huntress and protector, her life inspired us and her death broke our hearts.
Read her story
Romeo
Before he disappeared, he was cherished by the residents of the Alaskan community of Juneau.
Read his story926F
The life and love story of the matriarch and alpha female of the Lamar Canyon Pack is unforgettable.
Read her story
Tayaka
A true lone wolf, his “island life” was marked by loneliness, survival and resilience.
Read his story
1155M
Born to the oldest pack in Yellowstone and killed by the newest governor of Montana.
Read his story
10M
He fathered the first wild wolf pups born after the reintroduction, but he never got to meet them.
Read his story%20copy.JPG)
Canyon Alpha Female
Her long reign as alpha female of the Canyon pack was cut short by human hands.
Read her story
42F
Being bullied by her sister didn’t stop her from becoming the alpha female of the largest wolf pack ever recorded.
Read her story
Yellowstone Wolf Family Tree
The 06 Legacy supports the largest and most unique family tree on ancestry.com, featuring the genealogy and life stories of over 1,300 Yellowstone wolves! This comprehensive resource is a free public service. We invite you to immerse yourself in the wild, whether you're a veteran wolf watcher or are exploring the world of these remarkable animals for the first time. Teachers, researchers and wolf fans everywhere are welcome.
Imagine a family tree that shows the relationships of generation upon generation of Yellowstone wolves beginning with their reintroduction in 1995. Add the life story and lineage of every individual; the pups, the outcasts, the master elk hunters, the leaders, and the challengers. This is the Yellowstone Wolf Family Tree: digital, enormous in scope, and the first of its kind in the world! You'll find all the past and present Yellowstone packs and their members — the most famous population of wolves on the planet — in the Yellowstone Wolf Genealogy Project and its new online version of the Canis lupus family tree.
To become a guest of the tree and acquire free access, go to the Yellowstone Wolf Family Tree and follow the instructions to receive an invitation. After becoming a guest, you can also download the Ancestry App to view the tree on your mobile devices! Archivist, site manager, and co-founder Leo Leckie is constantly working to keep the tree updated with the latest information.
