Lakota has been showing her tenacity in the retired enclosure. After a new delivery of pine bedding, she proceeded to mark MacKenzie's bed. MacKenzie hasn't slept in it since. MacKenzie's decided to sleep on the Cedar chips in front of the webcam instead.
Archives
Lakota is feeling better today after blood work confirmed an infection from a dog tick called Ehrlichia. She is responding to the antibiotics and is up and active again. Her appetite is still not 100%, but she eats the daily meatballs dosed with antibiotics and will take several cups of meat a day in a warm broth. Thank you to all who inquired about her status during the last week, we appreciate your concern. Lakota received great care from the Ely Vet Clinic, and with that great care comes a cost. If anyone is interested in donating to Lakota's vet care bill, please feel free to submit a check to the International Wolf Center 1396 Hwy 169, Ely, MN 55731. Put "Lakota's Vet Bill" on the envelope address as well as on the memo line of the check. Thanks, the retired wolves appreciate your help…So does the Curator.
During Lakota's illness, MacKenzie was not as social in interacting with Lakota, but she did refrain from her usual dominance over Lakota. There were only 2 or 3 observations were MacKenzie showed any dominance over Lakota and all occurred after Lakota was given an IM shot and she responded by running away from the staff. MacKenzie's eye condition seems to be greatly improved since the treatment in October, with no noticeable issues since the exam.
Lakota is doing very well and responding to the antibiotic treatment. Due to the nature of this tick infection, she will have an extended dose of antibiotics. She readily ate her bowl of meat gruel every day last week, and was actively feeding and defending a carcass on Friday. Lakota received great care from the Ely Vet Clinic, and with that great care comes a cost. If anyone is interested in donating to Lakota's vet care bill, please feel free to submit a check to the International Wolf Center 1396 Hwy 169, Ely, MN 55731. Put "Lakota's Vet Bill" on the envelope address as well as on the memo line of the check. Thanks, the retired wolves appreciate your help…So does the Curator.
MacKenzie is doing well. All the wolves received a visit from former Wolf Curator Janice Templeton today. They were all very happy to see her. MacKenzie still rules the enclousure. In this week's photo, you see MacKenzie using direct eye contact to remind Lakota, that she may be feeling better, but she should remember her rank.
I hope you all had a great holiday season. The wolves weathered the holiday well considering the December 26th – 9 am wolf check was -34 degrees below zero. On New Year's day, nearly 10 inches of snow fell creating a great diversion for the wolves (the pups love fresh snow) and many hours of work for the curator. Enjoy the winter photos…
MacKenzie seems to have her favorite spot in the far corner of the enclosure. Staff make sure she has plenty of straw to make her comfortable. She's still interactive with the other retired wolves, but staff have noticed her keeping to herself, more than usual. She does like to check out what the other wolves are doing, the photo for today shows her checking out the holes Lakota makes.
Malik's knee seems to be completely healed. A veterinary exam on November 11th revealed a strong knee with no clicking sounds associated with ACL or other knee conditions. His x-rays looked great. His weight was recorded as 85 lbs, just 1 lb heavier than Grizzer. Malik also had his ears cleaned and found to have ear mites as well. Due to close proximity of contact, the entire pack is being treated for ear mites.
Maya and Nyssa were not part of the recent medical exam, and were left in the main enclosure while the males visited the vet. They did fine without the others, but were interested in them when they returned. Maya actually did a ride-up on Grizzer, but wasn't too intense. Maya sought Shadow out when he returned to the enclosure, and laid on the hill with him during the late afternoon and evening after the exam. Maya has been noted as being more dominant over Nyssa and Shadow has shown more interest in hanging out with Maya. We don't think the rank order decision has been made with these females.
Nyssa seems to spend a fair share of her time with Grizzer. There's usually a chase or a grabbing of the neck scruff involved with the observations. Nyssa continues to be a bit skittish around new things, whereas Maya tends to be tolerant of the wolf care staff and all that they do. This may be why Maya is making ground over Nyssa in dominance. Nyssa's timid behavior may be perceived as a weakness that Maya takes advantage of.
The International Wolf Center uses science-based education to teach and inspire the world about wolves, their ecology, and the wolf-human relationship.