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.
Incident Report for Wednesday July 31, 2002 MacKenzie 6:15 a.m. Submitted by Karen Skiba, Wolf Ethology Student – July 28th – August 2nd, 2002 Upon staff arrival at 6:15 a.m. Curator, Lori Schmidt found MacKenzie cowering in front of the entry gate between Malik and Shadow. MacKenzie had urinated on herself. She was snarling and snapping at Malik and Shadow, with T4 (tucked) tail and ears back. She made no attempt to move. Examination revealed bite wounds to the left rear paw, and a canine bite to the abdomen. The abdominal bite measured approximately 2 inches in length and 1/4 inch width and depth. Shadow was moved to holding – see his log dated 7/31/02
Part 2 of the rationale to remove MacKenzie: d. Shadow is behaving like a normal, healthy, young wolf. Continued isolation from the pack is not well documented or studied. This strategy may have short term benefits, but could result in increased aggression from Shadow toward the rest of the pack if done too frequently or for extended periods of time. (photo of Shadow from Winter 2001) e. Shadow and Malik are young, and just as in the wild, they are the future of the pack. Their continuation in the pack is important. f. Removal of MacKenzie from the pack will likely be permanent. Her role as a dominant female limits her future reintroduction back into the pack. A decision to remove her must be carefully considered and recognized as permanent. The management of the situation between MacKenzie and Shadow is under careful consideration and study. The health of the individual wolf, and the health of wolf pack will be included in the management decision. The International Wolf Center staff is committed to the quality of life for the wolves in captivity, and the educational effort to help the public understanding of wolf dynamics. Your interest and understanding is appreciated.
Feeding program tonight, prior to feeding, Mackenzie tucked her tail when Shadow approached. Her rear haunches were wet as if she was mouthed by the other wolves. Intern Susan Ely did report that Mackenzie was barking at the Arctic wolves near the east end of the enclosure and they did appear to be harassing her. Mackenzie relaxed with contact from Jen Westlund and Nancy Jo Tubbs.
CVC's to all, Mackenzie still has slight discharge from eye, but it looked clear. Continue to deliver eye drops every day, they seem to be helping. While Mackenzie's thyroid test was negative, there appears to be the start of cataracts in both eyes. There is a concern about Mackenzie's ability to maintain a dominant status with impaired vision. The Arctic wolves have been observed in higher tail position around Mackenzie.
Lakota very relaxed in pen today, Mackenzie's eye fully open today with signs of debris in the corner of her eye and appears a bit bloodshot. She allowed Lori Schmidt to treat it, but is less tolerant of the treatment. Overall, the eye looks great compared to yesterday.
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.