lakota – Dec 27, 2001 12:00 AM

Part 3 discussing Lakota's option with the vets. Option 2 Due to the nature of the wolves having such a structured dominance hierarchy, there was concern that if Lakota was removed for even a short period of time, that she would not be allowed into the pack at a later date. Many captive facilities have documented as short as a 2-hour absence from the pack has caused some wolves to be treated as dispersers when they have been attempted to be reintroduced. The fact that we could still put the yearlings in the pack holding area adjacent to the main enclosure was likely successful because they were young, we generally separated them together and we did it as a daily routine, so, it was conditioned and accepted as normal. To keep the yearlings isolated for several months in the pack holding area may cause them negative aversion toward the pack holding area and ultimately affect the future use of these pens for emergency or day to day management. In October when the yearlings were isolated for mobbing Mackenzie, we saw some dominance aggression between the fences, causing some concern about fence biting and injury. If there was long-term isolation, it was a priority for us to avoid negative conditioning and attempt to maintain the integrity of the pack. Many facilities solve management problems by isolating wolves into pairs or threesomes, to avoid problems. Wolves are pack animals, and even when there¹s strife, the tendency to be in a social group is strong. For example, even during the most intense dominance toward Lakota, she was observed following the yearlings, pawing at them to pay attention to her and when the yearlings were isolated Mackenzie and Lucas spent much of their time whining at the gate. The Center staff wanted to attempt other options first with isolation as a last resort.