From Cinderella to Alpha Queen

By the mid-20th century, wolves had been eradicated from the American West, causing serious ecological imbalances. Without wolves, prey populations like elk grew unchecked, leading to overgrazing and cascade of negative effects on the environment. In 1995 and 1996, wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park and central Idaho to restore this lost balance. Among these reintroduced wolves was the Druid Peak pack, which would become one of the most famous packs in Yellowstone's history.

British Columbia to Yellowstone

Wolf 42F was captured in British Columbia, Canada, along with her mother (39F), two sisters (40F and 41F), and an unrelated male (38M). In January 1996, they were transported to Yellowstone National Park and placed in an acclimation pen constructed beside Rose Creek in Lamar Valley.

The Druid Peak pack

At the end of April, the gate to the pen was opened and the group exited the as the Druid Peak pack, named after the nearby geological formation. 39F and 38M were initially the alpha pair, but 40F had a fiery spirit and other ideas. Before long, she took control of the pack from her mother and pushed her out. She also dominated her sisters, forcing them into submission whenever they stepped out of line. Finally unable to bear any more mistreatment, 41F bravely ventured off on her own while 42F remained, enduring even more punishment. Her resilience in the face of her sister’s bullying earned her the nickname "Cinderella."

Tragedy and a new beginning

In November 1997, the pack crossed the Yellowstone Park boundary in search of better hunting grounds. Tragically, both the alpha and beta males of the pack were illegally shot and killed. The pack returned to the park, now without adult males. Within a few weeks, 21M, a black-coated wolf from the Rose Creek pack, encountered the Druids. Despite being the son of famous wolves 9F and 10M, 21M had to prove his worth to 40F. After hours of testing, he was accepted as her mate and the new alpha male.

The fight for leadership

In 2000, 21M bred with 40F, 42F and their niece, 106F. Each female produced pups in their own separate dens: 40F in the traditional Druid den, 42F to the west, and 106F to the east. Although 40F was the pack's highest ranking female, only alpha male 21M would regularly assist her while she was denning. On the other hand, 42F, was well-liked and pack members visited often. On the evening of May 7, 2000, 40F gave 42F another thrashing and followed her to her den. This time, 42F had enough; she had pups to protect. A fight broke out between the sisters, with at least two other females joining 42Fs side. The following day, 40F succumbed to her injuries.

Ascension to alpha female

Following her sister's death, 42F moved her pups from her den to 40Fs den, assuming the role of alpha female. She not only adopted her sister’s pups but also welcomed her niece and pups. Under the solid leadership of 42F and 21M, all three litters—21 pups in all—were raised together in the same den. Their efforts were remarkably successful, with 20 of the 21 pups surviving the year. 42F was the alpha female of the largest wolf pack ever recorded—a super pack of 37 wolves.

42F and 21M; Pete Bengeyfield

Camelot

Cinderella found her prince in 21M. The nearly inseparable pair made a striking couple, perfectly complimenting one another in a Camelot-esque union. Together, they reigned over the Druids, through five of the most well-known years of the wolf reintroduction. Their partnership is one of the most famous in the history of Yellowstone wolves.

42F by Mark Miller courtesy of the Yellowstone Wolf Family Tree

A tragic end

On Feb. 2, 2004, 42F was killed by a rival pack at the age of eight. Afterwards, the mournful howls of 21M, grieving the loss of his beloved, could be heard echoing across Lamar Valley. Just four months later, he took his last breath beneath a tree, high on a ridge overlooking the territory where he and 42F had raised their family. Although 21M was 10 years old, which is a long life for a wild wolf, many believe he died of a broken heart.

The legacy lives on

When 42F took in 40Fs pups and raised them as her own, one of those pups would grow up to become a mother herself. In 2006, she gave birth to one of Yellowstone's most beloved wolves, our namesake 06. In time, 06 would rule the land of her mighty Druid ancestors.

A tribute to beloved 42F

In fall 2023, a life-size bronze sculpture of Yellowstone’s iconic wolf 42F was unveiled at the Yellowstone Forever headquarters bookstore, near the Roosevelt Arch at the park’s north entrance in Gardiner, Montana. Created by renowned author, tracker, and educator George Bumann, the statue honors the legendary Druid alpha female, affectionately known as “Cinderella.”

This heartfelt tribute was made possible through the dedication of George Bumann, Peter and Alicia Pond, The 06 Legacy, and the family of longtime wolf advocate Richard Lane. Inscribed on the sculpture is Lane’s moving dedication to 42F and all wolves that have roamed Yellowstone, honoring their legacy and the ongoing commitment to their protection. It reads:

In memory of my many brothers and sisters who have roamed this Valley and the ceaseless efforts of those individuals who devote their time to ensuring the legacy of the wolf continues.

— Richard Lane

"A Valley Vigil", a bronze sculpture of 42F by George Bumann