lakota – Feb 14, 2002 12:00 AM

Dr. Chip Hanson makes two farm calls today to check on Lakota and participates in a discussion of pack status and dynamics with Dr. Larry Anderson, Dr. Dave Mech, Gretchen Diessner (Center Assistant Director), Walter Medwid (Center Executive Director) and Curator Lori Schmidt. At this meeting, there was a general consensus that Lakota has had enough. Many days, the yearlings ignored Lakota, but there were those days when Lakota would look so submissive, with tucked tail, that her body posture seemed to stimulate the yearlings to stalk her and chase her. The more vulnerable she looked, the more they would stalk her. When Lakota ran, the yearlings chased. As Veterinarian Dr. Chip Hanson stated, these animals are hotwired as predators, it's difficult to stop them from chasing something that runs in front of them. The more vulnerable Lakota looked and the more she ran, the more the yearlings chased. This is a difficult cycle to stop and it may only be a matter of time before a more life-threatening injury would occur. The decision to remove Lakota was made. Lakota will be moved to the pack holding area and will likely be able to have regular visits from Mackenzie and Lucas as they showed no signs of aggression toward her, even when she was ostracized to the top of the pen. While the best case scenario would include her returning to the pack after the breeding season hormones decrease, there is a high probability that the yearlings would not allow her back into the enclosure. These details will need to be determined in the upcoming months and will be based on the behavior of the pack. Please be assured that Lakota will receive the best physical care and socialization from the wolf care staff during this time of transition and into the future if it is determined that she will retire from the main exhibit. She has given 9 years to the display and is probably due for some rest and relaxation.