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November 12, 2008
Lakota, a 15 1/2-year old wolf at the International Wolf Center was euthanized on
Friday, November 7, 2008. A consultation with the Center's veterinarian, Dr. Chip
Hanson, led to the assessment that her metabolic system was declining; she had stopped
eating and was unable to deal with ambient conditions. While the anti-inflammatory
medication provided some relief, her condition continued to decline. Wolves in the
wild may live 8 to 10 years; captive wolves sometimes live as long as 14 to 16 years.
"We have an ethical responsibility to all of our captive wolves, especially to
those at the end of their lifespan. Staff diligently monitors physical and behavioral
signs to determine if an animal is under stress or suffering in any way and we implement
management decisions in the most humane ways possible", commented the Center's Wolf
Curator, Lori Schmidt. 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, a great plains subspecies of the gray wolf (Canis lupus nubilus) was born
on April 24, 1993, at Bear Country, USA, near Rapid City, South Dakota. She was noted
for her role as the omega or lowest ranking pack member. She maintained this pack
status throughout her entire life and was often the instigator of dominance chases.
Lakota dispersed into retirement in 2002, along with her littermates, Mackenzie and
Lucas and continued to maintain the lowest rank of the pack, still the instigator of
chases, although a bit slower as she aged.
Lakota outlived all of her littermates. Lucas died of cancer in July 2006, and
MacKenzie died of a pulmonary embolism in May 2008. During her last six months of
life she had a unique management situation as a lone pack member. Wolf Care staff
developed new management strategies to ensure that Lakota's physical and behavioral
needs were met.
Access to the wolf lab was the most significant management situation. She became
acclimated to the indoor kennel, which would later prove important for veterinary
care. She became quite fond of taking items from the lab and running back into the
Retired enclosure. Her list of larceny items included: pillows, backpacks, water
bottles, bags of dog toys, sweatshirts, pizzas, block of cheese, compass, stuffed
moose and a bag of grass seed, just to name a few. Her role as the instigator of
chases did not diminish as the sole pack member; now it was the Wolf Care staff
chasing her.
Lakota will be cremated and her ashes will be spread at a location to be determined
by Center staff members.
Donations will be accepted into the Wolf Care Fund in her name and will to be used
for current and future wolf care needs. They may be given in-person, mailed to
1696 Highway 169, Ely, MN 55731 or entered online at www.wolf.org.
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ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL WOLF CENTER- The International Wolf Center, founded in 1985, is known worldwide as the nation's premier source for wolf education. The mission of the Center is to advance the survival of wolf populations by teaching about the wolf's life, its relationship to wildlands and the human role in its future. The Center educates through its Web site, www.wolf.org, its ambassador wolves, museum exhibits, on-site adventure and outreach programs and International Wolf magazine. Its flagship educational facility in Ely, MN, 1396 Highway 169, Ely, MN 55731. (Phone: 218-365-4695) is the future home for the new pups. The Center's administrative and outreach offices are at 3410 Winnetka Ave North, Minneapolis, MN 55427.
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