I sculpted Wolf 21 to honor a friend.
During our early days in Yellowstone, I quickly came to recognize the two-toned, black-over-gray identifying marks of the alpha male of the Druid Peak pack, but additionally, and I might say, most poignantly, I got to know his captivating personality—the kind of perspective that was left out my years of training in wildlife ecology.
I became sensitized to his benevolence, his hard stance on defending his family in the face of danger, and his gentle hand in dealing with interpersonal matters within the pack.
I swallowed hard as I watched him effortlessly consume an entire, fifteen inch-long elk’s tongue along the Lamar River one morning—in three, gulping bites.
Seeing Wolf 21, the quintessential tough guy alpha male, play with his puppies brought many smiles to my face, and at times, had me laughing out loud; understanding why the Nez Perce people say that wolves taught them how to be good parents.
I felt the deep longing and separation in his howls when his longtime mate, Wolf 42, was killed following a battle with an enemy pack in February of 2004. Wolf 21’s remains would be found later that same year in a peaceful setting beneath a tree in the summer rendezvous site of the Druid pack.
Wolves 21 and 42 in their heyday as alpha pair of the Yellowstone Druid Peak pack
Though his body and earthly spirit were ephemeral (he lived to the age of nine, three times the average lifespan of a wolf at that time) to me, 21’s lessons were timeless.
I sculpted “Border Patrol” to preserve my memories of this amazing individual, and while the bronze could be seen as a monument to a unique animal, to me it also immortalized a teacher, a mentor, and a hero. He was one of a kind.
It's with mixed emotions that I announce that the final life-sized bronze casting of this incredible individual, "Border Patrol" #7 of 7, is ready to go home to someone who understands the magic of wild wolves and wild places. 69″L x 41″W x 46″H.
To be the proud caretaker of the very last of his kind (in bronze) please contact us for acquisition details.
If having a life sized wild wolf sculpture in your home or garden is too large, you might consider the 11" maquette and 5.5" miniature versions of "Border Patrol".
"Border Patrol" Maquette
Wolf 21's Mate—Alpha Female 42
You can see the life size version of 21's mate, Wolf 42, at the Yellowstone Forever headquarters in Gardiner, Montana. If you stop by, be sure to take a photo and tag us with #wolf42 and @ynpforever and @ayellowstonelife.
At the foundry with a very young George and Wolf 42
"Valley Vigil" Wolf 42 of Yellowstone's Druid Peak Pack
Drawing and sculpting these animals is a way of telling their stories. The purpose of my pages and pages and books upon books of sketches, is to serve as reminders for later contemplation and development into sculptures. They are my reminders of specific encounters, particular days, particular individuals, moments, gestures, behaviors, thoughts and intentions.
Why sculpture? Sculpture has the capacity to bring the power and individual spirit of a subject into the immediacy of the lived space. People don’t name paintings, but they do name sculptures—"you'll never guess where we put Ralphie, (your bull elk sculpture); he's on the end table!" They have a presence about them that lends itself to its own form of physical storytelling. I want to provide a connection between “our” world and “theirs” in hopes of sparking a deeper connection with nature.
Visit George's gallery at https://www.georgebumann.com
