Lakota aggressive/growl to MaKenzie, Lakota also showed raised tail over MacKenzie, MacKenzie didn’t respond to Lakota’s posture. MacKenzie's paw has healed and she in no longer limping, but it appears Lakota’s been asserting herself more since MacKenzie’s injury.
Lakota has started to use her new rock den. She actually started last Monday, right after I noted in the logs that she hadn't been using it. She is tolerating the cooler mornings well, and has been eating twice a day, at least 2 – 3 pounds per serving. She is in the lab as I write this, trying to check out her morning meal on the counter. Staff have observed her in a howling bout with the pack several times, even though her vocal chords produce no sound, she still goes through the motions. Wolf care staff and student volunteers installed concrete slabs under the gates to reduce the risk of Lakota digging out. This allows her more freedom in the wolf yard, without constant supervision.
Lakota has a large hole dug under the stump next to the den boxes. She can almost disappear from sight. Staff need to check this hole frequently to make sure she doesn't tunnel out. MacKenzie riding up on Lakota, dominating her.
All wolves received Rabies and Parvo/DHLPP vaccinations today administered by Wolf Curator, Lori Schmidt and Program Specialist, Jen Westlund.
All wolves are very calm, Lakota stayed near the den most of the day, but did come to the holding pen for vitamins. Shadow and Malik were very calm today, submissive to both wolf handlers Lori Schmidt and Andrea Lorek Strauss."
Lakota’s been having a lot of raven activity in the Retired enclosure lately. The ravens show no fear of Lakota and actively try to get her food left in her den box each morning. She’s been observed chasing them away, but they don’t take her too seriously. Lakota continues to get excited about her wolf yard time and her lab time. As the weather cools, we will be working on giving her time in the lab with the door closed. We can’t continue to prop the door open for her to come in and out when the temperatures dip below zero.
Lakota has been very active during these cold days. She was seen running around the enclosure and going into the pond by staff members. It is true that she is the omega of the pack, but her physical condition is much better that Lucas and Mackenzie's. She is always the first one to approach the fence on the daily check up.
I am sorry to say that Lakota, our last remaining member of the 1993 litter, was euthanized today at 3:30pm. She lived an incredible life as an ambassador wolf for the International Wolf Center. At 15 1/2 years of age, her metabolic system had started to show signs of decline. This was a fairly fast onset of decline, as you can see from the weblogs that she was still up and active as of the last posting on November 3rd; however, 15 1/2 years is old. In the last few days, she stopped taking her medication and stopped eating any food. When wolf care staff came in for wolf care this morning, she got up, came to the wolf yard and entered the lab (we leave the door open so she can come and go as she pleases), then went to the back side of the new retired enclosure area and laid down in the wooded portion. She was unwilling to get up, showing some intense shaking and muscle spasms. Staff covered her with a sleeping bag, and were able to deliver her anti-inflammatory medication, giving her some relief. After some time, she willingly got up and moved to the den box. It’s not uncommon for animals to retreat to places away from people before they die. This same behavior was noted on Thursday afternoon, but again, staff worked diligently to get her up and into the den box. A consultation with Dr. Hanson, our veterinarian, led to the assessment that her system was shutting down, and while the anti-inflammatory provided some relief, her condition was declining. All of the Ely staff were able to spend time with her in her final hours. While it is sad to lose such an important part of our wolf care program, it is comforting to know that Lakota had a great life and was a vital part of our educational mission.
Lakota seems to have more spring in her step every day. Over the weekend, she started enlarging the pup den hole in the pack holding area. It is now 7 feet long, and a staff person can climb in and sit comfortably without touching the top of their head. She spends her days in and around the wolf lab, but her response to the recent heat was to dig a den in the cool soil and dig it deep.
As we've said in previous logs, Lakota has free range of the wolf yard when the staff is in the lab. After the fall season, when the lab is no longer staffed 24 hours a day, wolf care staff will be rotating shifts so Lakota gets to interact during the morning wolf checks, in the middle of the day and every evening. Even though she is 15, she is still a wolf, and needs to be monitored at all times. She enjoys laying in the shade near the main pack and spending time in the pack holding area. Web cam viewers will begin to notice enclosure improvement projects in the Retired Pack. Projects include a new pond, an insulated den, an increse to the enclosure size and additional trees. This will be completed over a series of work projects in the next 2 months, at a slow pace to allow Lakota time to adjust to the change. So far, she is always excited to return to the Enclosure after people have been working.
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.