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May 18, 2012
Contact:
Tom Myrick, Communications Director
(763) 560-7374 (ext. 225)
763-567-1907 (cell)
tmyrick@wolf.org
www.wolf.org
Surgery needed to repair pup's fractured femur
One of two wolf pups brought to the International Wolf Center in April developed
a medical condition that required surgery. Veterinary surgeons at the University of
Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center successfully attached a plate to the female pup's
right rear femur during an operation May 16 that lasted about an hour. Recovery is
expected to take six weeks or longer.
"We are cautiously optimistic," said the Center's Wolf Curator Lori Schmidt. "But
there's still a lot we don’t yet know about her condition. We suspect she has a bone
density deficiency, but we don't know the underlying cause of that condition. It could
be metabolic, or it could be a vitamin D deficiency. In other words, it could be
something we can address or it might be a chronic condition that we cannot do anything
about."
The pup, nicknamed Peanut, was returned to the Center located in Ely, Minnesota,
late Wednesday. She rejoins her older packmate, nicknamed Bolts, who is developing
normally. The pups have been under around-the-clock observation since their arrival.
Wolf care team members have been aware of some of Peanut's instability issues since
she arrived. After initial veterinary exams in Ely revealed a potential problem, the
Center's wolf care team decided more in-depth examinations were needed. She was taken
to the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center this past Wednesday, where
following an exam, the decision was made to perform surgery that afternoon.
"It is important to note that throughout all these exams, Peanut has remained alert
and in good spirits. She jaw spars with Bolts and feeds regularly," said Schmidt. "We
hope to know more in the coming days and will post updates along with narrated podcasts
on the wolf log section of our Web site at www.wolf.org."
Wildfire causes wolf pup evacuation from Center
Early Thursday afternoon, a rapidly developing wildfire broke out one mile south
of Ely, Minnesota, and advanced close enough to the International Wolf Center to cause
activation of its emergency management plan. The Center was closed to the public,
two wolf pups, one recovering from the surgery she received a day earlier, were
evacuated to a safe location, and the five remaining ambassador wolves were prepared
for evacuation. Fortunately, the fire was contained, and no further evacuation of
wolves was necessary. The Center has reopened and resumed its daily programing featuring
the wolf pups.
"We followed our emergency protocols to the letter, and because we have such
detailed emergency plans, the wolves were never in any danger," noted Executive Director
Rob Schultz. "I have to say, between the surgery and the wildfire, it's been quite a
week."
Due to medical issues, pups will not be part of free public event planned for this weekend
Due to the stressful nature of this situation, neither Bolts nor Peanut will attend
events in the Twin Cities this coming weekend. The Wolf Pup Family Day, held in
conjunction with Three Rivers Park District at French Regional Park, 12605 Rockford
Road, Plymouth, Minnesota, Sunday, May 20, will be held as planned. Wolf pup programs
begin at 9 a.m. and run every hour into mid-afternoon. Pup viewing is still planned
for those who visit the Center in Ely the evening of May 24.
"It's not often we have the challenge of holding a pup program without the actual
pups being there, but I can assure everyone we will have a very interesting Pup101
program with an update on Peanut," explained the Center's Education Director Jerritt
Johnston. "I hope everyone who loves and respects wildlife will attend this free event
and support the purely educational mission of the Center. And of course, any donations
to the Center will also help care for our pups and the rest of our ambassador wolf pack."
Additional free activities hosted by French Regional Park during the entire day May
20 include: Nordic walking, family camp equipment demos, bikejoring, geocaching,
hiking, picnicking and the chance to meet a live owl. A large creative play area for
kids will also be available.
Every four years, the International Wolf Center revitalizes its resident Exhibit
Pack with wolf pups. On April 13, 2012, the International Wolf Center selected two
robust pups born at a USDA-licensed facility that provided Grizzer and Maya in 2008.
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