The '06 Female

She did it all

Fearless, brilliant, and unforgettable—her story continues to inspire the world.

The wolves in this story

click to view

A legend is born

Born in 2006 into Yellowstone’s Agate Creek pack, the wolf known as 06, or “Oh-Six,” wasn’t just another wolf—she was a legend in the making. Nicknamed after her birth year, 06 was strikingly beautiful, larger than the average female wolf, and a sight to behold. She turned down countless suitors before choosing two black-coated brothers as her mates. Together, they carved out a territory in Yellowstone’s iconic Lamar Valley, where her ancestors from the famed Druid Peak pack once roamed.

Jimmy Jones Photography

Richard Seeley/iStock

The Lamar Canyon pack

By April 2010, 06 became a mother, giving birth to her first litter of four pups and officially founding the Lamar Canyon pack. Within this family, 06 stood as the backbone, with 755M as her alpha male and his brother, 754M, as the beta—both of whom were two years younger, less experienced, and heavily reliant on her expertise.

Huntress Extradonaire

Hunting is essential for a wolf’s survival, but it’s no easy feat. Wolves succeed in hunting elk only 5-15% of the time, and the risks are immense—a single antler jab or kick can be fatal. Yet, against these odds, 06 was remarkable. Time and again, she single-handedly brought down elk—a feat so challenging it typically requires the coordination of an entire pack. Her skill and prowess made her one of Yellowstone National Park’s greatest hunters.

A Matriarch

Over her lifetime, 06 gave birth to three litters—a total of 13 pups. Remarkably, every single one survived their critical first year, a near-miracle in the wild, where up to 60% of wolf pups do not make it. But 06 wasn’t just a leader; she was a teacher. Through her patient mentorship, she taught her offspring and even her mates the skills they needed to thrive.

Jimmy Jones Photography

Outsmarting the Mollies

One of the defining moments of 06’s life came in May 2012. While caring for her newborn pups, the Lamar Canyon pack’s territory was invaded by sixteen members of the Mollie’s pack. In a split-second decision, 06 bolted from the den, deliberately drawing the rival pack’s attention away from her vulnerable pups.The Mollie’s pack gave chase, pursuing her across Yellowstone’s rugged terrain. As they closed in near a cliff, observers watched with bated breath, fearing her fate was sealed.

But 06’s intelligence matched her bravery. She disappeared into a hidden gully, leaving her pursuers confused and unable to follow her trail. Defeated, the Mollie’s pack eventually turned back.Through this daring and selfless act, 06 saved her pups, once again proving she was willing to risk everything to protect her family.

Removal of federal protections

On September 30, 2012, everything changed for Yellowstone’s wolves. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service removed gray wolves in Wyoming from the Endangered Species Act, ending their federal protections. The state legislature quickly established a trophy hunting season, placing Wyoming’s wolves—including those from Yellowstone that roamed beyond the park's boundaries—in grave danger.

The "Gentle Giant" is killed

On November 11, 2012, 754M, the gentle and beloved beta male of the Lamar Canyon pack, was shot and killed by a hunter in Wyoming. Known for his playful and nurturing nature, 754M’s death was a devastating blow to the pack. Observers in Yellowstone watched helplessly as the family searched for him, with 06 howling mournfully into the wilderness, her calls met only with silence. Refusing to give up, 06 led her family back into Wyoming, determined to find her missing mate. But danger awaited them.

A Family Portrait: 06, 755M, a yearling, and 754M courtesy of Meg Lowell Sommers

06's tragic end

Lured by the distress calls of a dying rabbit, 06 and 755M unknowingly walked into a hunter’s trap. A gunshot shattered the stillness, and 06 collapsed, her strength fading as her pack gathered around her, their anguished howls echoing through the wilderness. The death of 06 sent shockwaves around the world. Her story made headlines in The New York Times, where renowned photographer Jimmy Jones honored her as "the most famous wolf in the world."

The hunter gutted 06 and preserved her pelt, reducing the world-famous wolf to nothing more than a trophy. Without their leader, the mighty Lamar Canyon pack splintered with just two daughters remaining in Lamar Valley to carry on the pack's legacy. If that wasn't enough, tragedy struck again six years later when 06's daughter, 926F, was killed by another hunter—less than a mile outside the park boundary.

Goodbye and Godspeed

"I was one of the lucky ones who saw her story unfold. This was one of the last photos taken of her on the day she left the Park for the last time."

—Sian Jones

A Family Portrait: 06, 755M, a yearling, and 754M courtesy of Meg Lowell Sommers

courtesy of Kathy Schmidt—an avid wolf watcher in Yellowstone

Legends are Forever

Today, 06’s story inspires millions to fight for wolves wherever they roam. She stands as a powerful symbol in the battle against trophy hunting. Her spirit endures, ensuring her legacy—and the howl of the wild—will never be silenced.

Jimmy Jones Photography

The 06 Legacy is grateful to award-winning, internationally published wildlife and nature photographer Jimmy Jones for celebrating 06 through his incredible images of her. Jimmy has additional one-of-a-kind images of 06 and her Lamar Canyon pack on his website, as well as a blog dedicated to her memory. We are privileged to feature Jimmy's outstanding work throughout this website! You can also follow Jimmy on Facebook.

JImmy Jones Photography