It took many days to piece together likely what has happened and we will never know the exact story.
But it does appear yes, that Chica the top female and 6 of the 9 pups were lost to wolves. Elder Slim Jim was badly injured and is recovering well, incredibly. Big Brother, yearling, and Janet, grown daughter and 2nd Mom, are well. And 3 pups including the kinky tailed female, thrive.
Trail cams for some months revealed at least 4 different wolves coming through the property from adjoining public lands and cascade forest. They seem to travel through foothills and return to cascades regularly. They don’t bother livestock, and seem to avoid LGD areas.
However, it’s very likely they eventually sensed and zeroed in on “our” coyote pack. 9 pups and 4 adults makes noise and many trail scents in Oak Savannah areas.
This is where we are challenged. Am I a nature lover or coyote lover? Am I merely observing or emotionally invested?….I am all those. I try to be. And the family who has known these coyote years and understandably upset.
The truth is, wolves need space. They need much space and meat. They are territorial. They also, often, will not tolerate any canid strangers in their claimed areas. Be it stranger wolf, dog, or coyote. And while there are solitary wolves that will flee even a beagle, a pack of united wolves feeding and raising pups are pressed themselves.
The wolves in trail cam were lined 4 strong at 2 a.m. and heading towards the coyote pack.
Other trail cams show them leaving and going east at 4:43 am, back towards cascades. That morning, Slim Jim was seen staggering towards original cliff den area. 3 pups later appeared to cliff dens with Janet. And Big brother. The adults seemed extremely stressed. Slim Jims neck and back wounds seemed very bad. Not a sign of Chica or other 6 pups ever showed. The Oak Savannah area is completely avoided now.
Fast fwd nearly 2 weeks. Big Brother and Janet fed pups and Slim Jim at cliffs. Slim Jim drank morning dew for water as he healed. He gained strength and literally lead his pack away from cliffs.
His head is a bit crooked. His throat and back have bare areas. But he seems resolute and definitely in charge.
Slim Jim took his surviving family away from cliffs and oak savannah 4 miles away. In his injury and loss, he showed no panic. He merely healed and when he could move, he left with plan and purpose.
Slim Jim led, with Janet and pups in tow. Big Brother behind in rear. And he led them all to the bison.
The small Bison herd have many calves this spring. Their area is open grassland with pockets of trees. They curiously in past have allowed Slim Jim and other coyote to hunt almost under their feet. But any dog….or wolf, is charged at and has to run for life. No canids stick around Bison. Especially bison with calves. But coyote can.
We can only imagine the 3 pups shock as Slim Jim led them by the bison to a little grove of ancient cottonwood. The trickle of stream and deep cover around cottonwood patch are the pups new area.
Slim Jim and pups have been seen mouse hunting among the bison some days now.
Janet and Big Brother come and go and feed pups.
Among the Bison and a tiny patch of cottonwoods, Slim Jim is rebounding. Healing. And 3 pups are growing fast.
I hate that our pack of 11 pups and 4 adults were decimated by wolves to 3 pups and 3 adults.
I love that wolves have returned.
It’s complex. It’s nature. It’s their world.
And I love that Slim Jim, Janet, and Big Brother rebounded. They did what coyote have done since Ice Age times. They rebounded and are resilient. They have found respite among Bison. And have found a time and place of peace.
Regards warmly,
Lou
Coyote Yipps 
Jun 25, 2021 @ 11:19:14
Nature is not human hearted. Nature just is. I relate to Lou’s sadness since I too am a coyote lover … and a Nature lover. Thank you for sharing this story as it ‘evolves’ (no pun intended).
Jun 30, 2021 @ 16:36:11
I have been following these posts with great interest and anxiety, and have been worrying that this would happen. I’m mourning the loss of wonderful Chica and the 6 pups. What a severe blow, and it is so sad that Slim Jim lost his mate and was so severely wounded himself. It’s great that the surviving family is moving forward and that the remaining pups are thriving. What a complex story indeed.
Jul 02, 2021 @ 06:22:31
Hi Gina — Yes, it’s a fascinating and complex story about nature and survival, yet a blow to those of us who just want it all to thrive. :((
Oct 24, 2021 @ 14:51:25
I feel for you. I love all animals and know how it feels when coyotes eat our pets. We get attached to our pets or our feral cats. Or you your coyote family. I lost a cat two months ago and still blame myself for it..
We tend to dislike coyotes because that is what they do to survive is eat pets . Wolves eat coyotes to .
survive. Wolves do not have as many enemies as the coyotes do. That could be a untruth because are they not being hunted again? Your article reminded me of this so I decide to not dislike the coyote. Every living thing in this world survives because they are the most fit Sorry if I rambled