Wolf pups' reaction when their mom returns to the den

Wolf pups are left alone at dens from time to time while their parents go out in search of food. When a parent returns, the pups go into somewhat of a frenzy (for wolf pups that is) trying to find their parent and presumably get food.

Here is one such instance from this spring of the Half-Moon pups. The pups were just hanging out by the den when they heard the whining of one of their parents, likely their mom, calling them.

This whining initiates a little pup stampede as the pups start zipping around looking for their parent. The parent continues to call the pups and by the end it seems the pups found their parent who was near the top part of the den where we did not have a camera.

This same behavior by the pups occurs throughout the summer as adults return with food for pups. We have many videos of pups racing up to their parents or other pack members and vigorously mobbing them in an effort to get food from them.

Learn more about the Voyageurs Wolf Project:
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