Three black wolves showed up last Spring north of Ketchum near Phantom Hill on Highway 75. They were seen feeding on three different road-killed cow elk. The new pack was named Phantom Hill and had three black pups. The alpha female has an injury that causes her to move with a noticeable limp.

The black wolves attracted attention of motorists and bicyclists plus local Forest Service officials. Two sheep bands would soon arrive for summer grazing. Discussions were held with wolf managers and the two sheep allotment permittees. One rancher agreed to use other grazing areas in order to give the wolves a chance to raise their pups and be able to move on. The second rancher did not. Wolves, whether it was Phantom Hill or others, killed some lambs. Things were looking grim for the "Phantoms" until calls from citizens and media publicity spared them being lethally controlled.

Efforts were made to provide the two herders on the Baker Creek Allotment with information and non-lethal methods to deter the wolves. Wolf managers trapped and collared the alpha male and a yearling female so the pack could be tracked. All six of the Phantom Hill wolves made it through the grazing and trailing season, which finally ended on October 20th.

Now, if the black Phantoms stay in the upper Wood River Valley this winter, they likely will become one of the most famous and most viewed wolf packs in the world. Perhaps this will save them in the end. Over the winter we hope ways can be agreed upon to keep the sheep safe and the wolves alive next summer.

PHOTOS, TOP TO BOTTOM

Yearling female B326, the beauty of the pack, crosses Highway 75 in September, hurrying to catch up with her mom.

Phantom Hill alpha male B333 feeds on a road-killed cow elk at Phantom Hill north of Ketchum. He was trapped and collared in August and then become more wary of humans. Claudia Fiaschetti Photo, Copyright 2007.

Phantom Hill alpha female guided her new pack through a tough 2007 summer among thousands of sheep.

PHANTOM HILL WOLF FIELD TRIPS
Boulder-White Clouds Council will be leading outings in
the Phantom's home territory this Spring and Summer (2008).

E-mail us if you're a wolf supporter and you'd like to
be informed of upcoming Phantom field trips.

We cannot charge for our outings, but we
appreciate donations to help the wolves.