In 1980, wildlife biologist Diane Boyd left it all behind to live in a remote cabin in Montana. No power. No plumbing. Just her, the wilderness, and the wolves.​

For 12 years, she skied through deep snow, tracked radio signals, and even rescued a sedated wolf from a grizzly.​

Her fearless work helped change how the world sees gray wolves and sparked a wave of conservation across North America.​

40 years later, her legacy still echoes through every wolf howl in the wild.​

Diane Boyd’s journey into the heart of the wilderness began in the late 1970s when she joined the University of Montana’s Wolf Ecology Project. At that time, gray wolves were nearly extinct in the contiguous United States, and Boyd was among the first to study their natural recolonization from Canada into Montana.

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Diane Boyd: Wildlife biologist and wolf conservationist

Living in isolation, Boyd immersed herself in the wolves’ world. She tracked their movements, studied their behaviors, and documented their interactions with the environment. Her work provided invaluable insights into wolf ecology and challenged prevailing misconceptions about these apex predators.

One of her most notable contributions was the documentation of a lone female wolf named Kishinena, who played a pivotal role in the natural recolonization of wolves in the Northern Rockies .​

Boyd’s dedication extended beyond fieldwork. She engaged with local communities, addressing concerns and fostering understanding about wolf conservation. Her efforts helped shift public perception and laid the groundwork for successful reintroduction programs, including the landmark reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone National Park in 1995 .​

Throughout her career, Boyd faced numerous challenges, from harsh environmental conditions to navigating complex political landscapes. Yet, her unwavering commitment to science and conservation never wavered.​

In her memoir, “A Woman Among Wolves,” Boyd reflects on her four-decade journey, sharing stories of resilience, discovery, and the profound bond between humans and wolves.​

Today, as gray wolves continue to navigate the challenges of coexistence with humans, Boyd’s legacy serves as a testament to the impact of dedicated conservation efforts. Her story inspires a continued commitment to understanding and protecting the wild creatures that share our world.