The Muskox and the Wolves

Photo by S. Pfeister

Early one evening we were taking advantage of the relative calm by putting in a couple of hours of paddling. It was getting late and we had been traveling through spotty rain showers for a couple of hours. The temperature was dropping and I was starting to look forward to a warm meal when we came upon a sight that made us forget all about our own discomfort - a large muskox standing in a snow pile at the bottom of a small gully right at the edge of the river.

Arctic wolves (photo by S. Pfeister)

In attendance was a pair of arctic wolves. It took us a few moments to realize that the muskox was injured, but the wolves were clearly in on the secret and were hanging out, biding their time.

Karen & Jen (photo by S. Pfeister)

We pulled the canoes over to observe the scene. Karen and Susan were able to get several photos, but our presence caused the wolves to retreat a short distance back upriver. We weren't able to tell what was wrong with the muskox - we suspect that he fell down the side of the gully, possibly breaking a leg. Whatever was wrong with him - it was clear he would not be leaving that spot. We sat watching for a while before continuing along the river, finding a good campsite a short distance downstream.

Later that evening, Karen walked back up-river and sat observing the muskox and wolves for quite a while. The wolves would try to get close to the muskox, who would thrust his large horned head at them. A dance of life and death with an inevitable conclusion.