The wolf is infinitely fascinating, a force driven to the extreme, even surpassing itself. Strength and courage to be free. Let’s not lose sight of the essential.
Why does the wolf become solitary when it’s supposed to live in a pack?
There are several reasons: sometimes a wolf remains inconsolable after losing its mate, so it voluntarily isolates from the pack. This self-imposed exile seems to be found only in male individuals; solitary females are rare.
Temporary dispersion
Some wolves may also decide to leave their pack after failing in a conflict or when there’s not enough food for all pack members.
In some cases, the decision to leave is to mate and become the dominant male to start a new family. Most of these wolves leave their natal pack between 10 and 36 months. A new pack is formed when two solitary wolves meet and have a territory large enough with abundant food for a future family. It’s a transient solitude where they choose to live alone, believing that others might hinder their progress. Thus, living moments of solitude is a necessity for their future.
The Omega wolf also isolates sometimes to avoid encountering stronger wolves, not to be disturbed, or because of lack of food. It can also be banished by pack members. Consequently, it endures its solitude and tries to survive until finding a new family. It can become a pack leader by meeting another lone wolf, but if it lacks good health and doesn’t find enough food, it may let itself die.
The lone wolf knows how to protect itself by finding a well-hidden, secure place out of sight. This wolf is highly committed and cautious in what it does. It is very determined and rigorous, like a little soldier always ready for action. It takes on and confronts whatever challenges come its way.
In general, a group survives more easily than an isolated individual. To survive alone, one must be strong, vigilant, combative, enterprising, and ready for challenges.
This reminds me of a quote by Victor Hugo, « Solitude is good for great minds and bad for small ones. Solitude troubles the brains it does not illuminate.«
Artificial intelligence translation of an original text by Sandrine Devienne.
Click here to read the French version