Additional information from Monday July 29, 2002 a.m. examination of MacKenzie: Examination of MacKenzie on Monday revealed a canine bite wound to the left side, abrasion appeared to be approximately 1 inch in circumference, moist exudate covering the wound. An additional bite noted on the mid-neck region, circumference approximately 1 inch with purulent drainage present. MacKenzie appeared on Monday to be confident and at ease.
Note to Public: Shadow's behavior and his attempt to intimidate MacKenzie is natural wolf behavior. Lower status members often look for opportunities to move up in the pack structure especially if the higher ranking pack members show weakness with age. In the wild, this behavior serves to keep the pack healthy and strong, under good leadership. The issue facing the International Wolf Center staff is how to manage this normal wolf behavior in a captive environment. The management of the captive wolf pack includes making decisions in the best interest of the pack, as well as the individual wolf. There is a fine balance to be maintained.
This log entry is in 2 parts: Part 1. The following list outlines several issues under consideration in the management of the situation between MacKenzie and Shadow: a. MacKenzie's role as a dominant female is her identity with the pack, and changes in her status will affect her psychologically, Mackenzie isn't likely to give up and become a lower ranking pack member without a fight. b. MacKenzie is fairly old for a wolf. She is over 9 years of age which equates to 63 human years. Shadow and Malik are 2 years of age, which in human years equates to 14. It's only a matter of time before age slows her ability to keep up with the younger wolves. Wolves in the wild may not live much past 8 or 9 years of age. c. MacKenzie has had several minor health problems in the past few years. These health issues include lipid deposits in her eye and the beginning of cataracts that will continue to progress making vision difficult, mild arthritis in her hips, and an abdominal tumor (fatty tumor) that could require surgical intervention in the future. While these ailments are not major impediments to her living, they do indicate her advanced age and could be viewed as a weakness in the eyes of the younger wolves.
Yearlings placed in holding pen for their daily vitamins, upon their release, Lucas and Mackenzie was aggressively dominating Shadow. Shadow was growling and snarling and with his tail tucked the entire time. Mackenzie had her tail low and tucked when Shadow snapped at her. Mackenzie and Lucas continued dominance.
Mackenzie observed dominating Lakota, who immediately submitted with a full roll-over on her back. Mackenzie has a blood blister on the top of her left paw, but it seems to be healing.
Good interactions and greetings, Mackenzie continues to follow and growl at Shadow. Mackenzie and Lucas are now getting vitamin supplements on a daily basis.
Part 4. Curator Lori Schmidt was contacted and she advised that the observation team should get a visual on MacKenzie to check on the status of her wounds. If she was not significantly wounded, they were advised to turn off the lights and leave the exhibit. The rationale for this decision was to allow the wolves a period of time to work out the conflict uninhibited by the team observing through the windows or the enclosure lights. If MacKenzie could accept a lower ranking position, she may be able to stay with the pack. At 6 am, Curator Lori Schmidt arrived on site to find MacKenzie in the same restricted area as described by the team the night before. MacKenzie would not move from the area and fiercely defended it from any of the other wolves that approached, especially from Shadow. Video footage entitled MacKenzie_defense is available to view this defensive behavior. This observation as well as blood smeared along the wall led to a conference call between Walter Medwid, Executive Director, Gretchen Diessner, Assistant Director and Lori Schmidt to discuss MacKenzie's removal from the main enclosure. The rationale for removing MacKenzie was as follows: MacKenzie's physical condition showed the following bite wounds 2 canine tears on either side of her flank, about 3 inches above her tail Very sensitive to the touch on inner thighs, small bite wounds left side Hind quarter instability – and stiffness (observation team saw Shadow and Malik actually pulling MacKenzie's hips and dragging her – possible injury or soreness to the hip socket)
Part 5. MacKenzie would not leave the protected area next to the building, and when the other wolves approached, she would demonstrate an intensive threat display indicating that she had not accepted a lower ranking position and did not appear that she had given up or the situation had been worked out. She appeared to be in a mind set to continue fighting. This could indicate future fights may be more intense and there was a high probability that they would occur more frequently. Previous observations over the past week indicated that she had already been isolating herself from the pack, video footage from Friday August 2nd, shows MacKenzie intimidated by the rest of the pack while they were exhibiting play behavior and a subordinate body posture with tucked tail position whenever any of the wolves approached her, specifically from behind. Shadow had been removed twice in the last week as a short term solution to help the situation, and give MacKenzie and opportunity to gain back some confidence, but after each release, he and Malik continued to harass and it actually appeared that Shadow was getting more intense after each isolation period. The last isolation over the weekend of August 3 and 4th, he was observed snapping and biting off small trees in the pack holding area. Also there were several issues about favoring a 9 year old, physically weaker wolf, rather than a healthy 2 year old. After consultation with Dr. Chip Hanson, it was decided that holding Shadow was not a long-term solution and even began to be problematic in the short-term.
Part 6. MacKenzie's presentation toward the public was one of a cowering injured wolf, which would reflect negatively on the exhibit. MacKenzie's eye condition seemed to be worse today, with signs of redness and infection, possibly due to the stress of the encounters or a progressive condition of lipid deposits, MacKenzie continued to hold her eye closed and it appeared to be sunken as a possible indication of pain. The decision to remove MacKenzie was made. As she was placed in the adjacent holding area, MacKenzie was extremely relaxed and allowed the Behavioral Observation team to stand at the adjacent fence while she rested. She was very relaxed, hopefully indicative of the right decision to remove her.
Cooler evening created a more active wolf exhibit tonight. There have been more observations of Shadow and Malik dominating Lakota lately, but usually Mackenzie or Lucas begin dominating them and stop the interaction. While some people want to believe that the Alpha's are protecting Lakota, it's more likely that they are attempting to prevent Shadow and Malik from gaining status.
The International Wolf Center advances the survival of wolf populations by teaching about wolves, their relationship to wildlands and the human role in their future.