Dwayne,

After bicycling from here to NY this past summer at what seemed a modest pace and observing how miles can add up, I no longer find the concept of travelling long distances nearly as daunting as I used to.

It wouldn't surprise me if that wolf was actively seeking other wolves, tho it might not "know" that. All it would take would be an instinct to keep moving until contact was made.

At a net movement in one direction of just five miles per day, that wolf could have covered the ~450 miles in question in just three months.

Birdwatcher

"...if the gentlemen of Virginia shall send us a dozen of their sons, we would take great care in their education, instruct them in all we know, and make men of them." Canasatego 1744