Caslon Hatch, Weekend Anchor and Reporter
ANCHORAGE – The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center in Portage can now add a wolf to the list of animals that people can see when they visit there.
A four-month-old tundra wolf pup named Deshka was brought in from a zoological facility in Montana to be a part of the center’s expanding educational department. Chandelle Cotter, who is the animal behavior and training manager at the center, said that Deshka was named after a river here in Alaska.
“She was born into this world specifically to be an animal ambassador to teach people about wolves,” Cotter said.
AWCC’s programs are designed to educate the public on the importance of the wolf species. This is the first time the center has had a wolf.
“We’re her pack and she does have another important member of her pack,” said Cotter.
That other member of Deshka’s pack is Remi, a German Shepherd-malamute mix. She was brought in to help teach Deshka proper mannerisms.
“It’s really funny because Remi will sit down with a stick and Deshka will go get a stick and be like ‘oh I’m just going to be like you’,” said Sarah Howard, an animal care supervisor at the center who is also Remi’s owner.
Howard says Remi and Deshka are inseparable best friends.
The center hopes to bring in more wolves over the next few years, but for now Deshka will be the only one. She is on display at AWCC full time.