Wolf center to add three pups to ambassador pack
By Steve Foss
Yes, theyýre cute. Little balls of lupine fur that charm and move people.
But staffers at the International Wolf Center in Ely see them as more than three gray wolf puppies. They are ambassadors as well, representing their kind to the thousands of visitors who travel from around the world to the center each year.
So when the three pups are added to the centerýs roster of wolves in late May, it will be a serious as well as a joyful time.
The pups, which are coming from a private breeder in Minnesota, will eventually be added to the main enclosure that now houses Arctic wolves Malik and Shadow. Wolf center organizers believe that the pups and two adults will more accurately reflect a pack structure. Since the centerýs mission is to educate, such interaction between five wolves of both sexes and differing ages will give people a more detailed picture of wolf behavior. Staffers are hoping for two females and a male, which will be about 10 days to two weeks old when they arrive at the center on or after May 22.
The wolves will stay in relative seclusion for awhile to acclimate themselves to the site. Eventually, as 70 ýwolf nanniesý from 23 states and 3 countries are well into the socialization process, the pups will be introduced to visitors during programs. If things go as planned, theyýll be added to the main enclosure at three months old.
Key among planners on the wolf care team are IWC Wolf Curator Lori Schmidt, wolf expert Dr. David Mech and Ely veterinarian Chip Hansen.
According to Schmidt, alpha female MacKenzie was very social toward pups Malik and Shadow when they were introduced in 2000. She said MacKenzie offered ýstrong bonding and protection to the young wolves.ý
As Malik and Shadow grew into adulthood and began testing the older wolves for status, it became clear that 10-year-old Lucas, Lakota and MacKenzie couldnýt handle that treatment, and they were moved to retirement enclosures.
Schmidt said their thinking is that Malik and Shadow may be caregivers, but not to the degree MacKenzie was, and Schmidt believes itýs likely the three pups can help reinforce each other around the adults.
ýWe plan to encourage an extremely strong bond between litter mates,ý she said. The wolf care team will work 24 hours a day for the first few weeks to bottle feed the animals every three to four hours. Later, the nannies will rotate two 8-hour shifts daily to socialize the wolves, which helps them feel more relaxed in the enclosure and when theyýre examined for injuries or medication. They also need to get used to noises from garbage trucks, chainsaws and weedeaters, as well as the presence of large crowds, visiting dogs and the occasional wild wolf that passes the enclosure.
The caretakers will feed the pups a special formula of goatýs milk, yogurt, eggs and ýa few other tidbits,ý according to Schmidt, that will necessitate buying fresh goatýs milk every day until they are weaned. After that, itýll be the same fresh venison that Malik and Shadow get.
There is some risk anytime pups are introduced to adult wolves, according to Schmidt, who said the introduction day must be calm, with limited stress to the adults to minimize the possibility theyýll become aggressive with the pups.
ýIn planning, every scenario is reviewed,ý she said, ýand the plan is left open to change depending on the wolvesý behavior.ý
ýItýs excitement,ý she added, ýtempered with the idea that itýs a lot of work.ý