At 1 pm, Lakota was chemically immobilized and moved out of the main enclosure and into the pack holding area. The use of an anesthetic is necessary for captive wolves to reduce stress in transport and is even the protocol for intensive medical exams which require a blood draw. Lakota had a smooth immobilization, and was up within 45 minutes. Dr. Chip Hanson, Center veterinarian conducted a physical exam on Lakota and found her to be in good physical condition with a bite wound on the neck and what appeared to be a self inflicted licking wound on the paw. It is not uncommon for wolves in high stress to begin licking at a spot so intensively that they lick the spot raw. Lakota received her annual vaccinations at this time, a seven day dose of antibiotics and will have specialized care in the pack holding area.
Very exhuberant greetings from all wolves. Lakota was able to approach and greet staff with no aggression from Mackenzie. Lakota's wounds are nearly healed, no sign of further aggression from the other wolves.
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.
Entered enclosure to do daily wolf check and located Lakota in an underground tunnel/den at the top of the enclosure that is densely camouflaged by balsam fir trees. She appears to have claimed this spot and readily defends herself from all the other wolves when they approach the den hole. Wolf Center curator placed straw in the den hole and examined all wolves.
CVC to all, Amoxicillin to Lakota. Walter Medwid (Executive Director from Brooklyn Center office) visited enclosure today; Lakota demonstrated a play bow towards him and exhibited a brief, play/chase behavior. Lakota has been making contact over the plywood walls toward the yearlings. Malik snapped and growled at her on two separate occasions, but Lakota didn't retreat, just jumped down to the safety of the plywood wall. Lakota did a full submissive roll-over and got a belly scratch from Walter Medwid. Staff will be interested in the interactions between the fence line; Lakota already shows less signs of fearful submission (intense tail tucking) that she did while she was in the main enclosure. It does appear that Lakota is gaining confidence, she has not exhibited any nervous pacing that staff had anticipated.
CVC to all, Amoxicillin to Lakota. Walter Medwid (Executive Director from Brooklyn Center office) visited enclosure today; Lakota demonstrated a play bow towards him and exhibited a brief, play/chase behavior. Lakota has been making contact over the plywood walls toward the yearlings. Malik snapped and growled at her on two separate occasions, but Lakota didn't retreat, just jumped down to the safety of the plywood wall. Lakota did a full submissive roll-over and got a belly scratch from Walter Medwid. Staff will be interested in the interactions between the fence line; Lakota already shows less signs of fearful submission (intense tail tucking) that she did while she was in the main enclosure. It does appear that Lakota is gaining confidence, she has not exhibited any nervous pacing that staff had anticipated.
Lakota is spending most of her time in the upper enclosure, very close to the den hole. She seems quite anxious about the location of the yearlings, even though their intensity has decreased significantly since the Chlomipramine use. When the yearlings are isolated into the pack holding area, Lakota will come down to the rock den and spend time exploring the lower enclosure. Staff bring Lakota food and water and are able to monitor her physical condition daily. The yearlings are drawn into the pack holding area several hours a day allowing Lakota free range throughout the enclosure.
In order to provide social contact for Lakota, Lucas and Mackenzie are brought into the pack holding area on a daily basis. Lakota has not been very interested in interacting with her siblings, and Lucas and Mackenzie have been more interested in investigating Lakota's food caches. Visits have been short, with Lakota spending time retrieving her caches after the alpha's leave.
Good interaction with Lakota today, She has a spot on her right hip that she appears to be licking, investigation of the spot by the Wolf curator led Lakota to be defensive. Staff will monitor this and treat if needed. Lucas was observed riding up on Mackenzie's back in an aggressive manner, which led the yearlings to mob her. Mackenzie defended herself then proceeded to dominate Shadow and follow him around the enclosure. Shadow redirected to Malik for several minutes then things calmed down. During the most intense interaction, Lakota was at the fence whining Malik came face to face with Lakota and she appeared to maintain a high tail, where previously she would have a very tucked tail in the presence of the yearlings. Lakota's active personality seems to be returning.
Lakota high tail and aggressive lunging at the gate where lumber for the new freezer was delivered. Mackenzie aggression increases, and later pulls Lakota off the rock by the tail. Malik and Shadow are very submissive to the human handlers during this aggressive interaction between Mackenzie and Lakota.
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.