Goodbye Sequra

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Sequra's first Wolf Haven adoption photo - 2005

One of earliest Wolf Haven “adoption” photos of Sequra – 2005

by Wendy Spencer, director of Animal Care

It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to our long-time resident and friend, Sequra.

Over the course of the last year we saw a slow decline in Sequra’s overall well-being. She had some generalized stiffness, muscle atrophy, weakness in her backend, and other issues that come with old age (loss of visual and auditory acuity, lethargy, change in appetite).  One of the most notable changes in Sequra was the gradual onset of what we can only assume was a canine form of dementia.  In the early stages, she would present with what seemed to be disorientation or confusion, and towards the end of her life, she spent countless hours “patrolling” the perimeter of her enclosure at a leisurely walk.

For months we closely monitored her behavior and given the fact that she engaged regularly with her enclosure mate, Lakota, and was excited for food and enrichment, we determined that she was still experiencing good quality of life. However, during the week of July 24, we noticed a significant change. Mobility was becoming more of an issue for her, and despite pain management, she seemed to be in discomfort. It became increasingly difficult for her to lie down and once she did, she struggled to get herself upright again. Her once voracious appetite began to wane and her overall zest for life seemed to be fading.

Lakota & Sequra

Lakota & Sequra

During the morning walk-through on July 29, animal care staff found Sequra lying in her deckpen, unable to stand. She tried numerous times and when she finally did manage to get herself upright, she was weak and her breath was labored. She stood only a moment before slumping back into a prone position. In consultation with our veterinarian, we talked through our options and sadly, they were limited. Anytime we are faced with a difficult end of life decision, we weigh our options very carefully and we agonize over whether or not it is the right thing to do. In Sequra’s case we determined that the kindest thing we could do for her was to help her pass on.

Looking into her clouded eyes as she laid panting on the cool floor of her deckpen, she seemed ready to go and as her caretakers, we felt obliged to honor her. Sequra passed peacefully in the comfort of her enclosure with the help of her familiar caretakers and most importantly, her canine friend, Lakota, close by.

As I watched her take her last breath, I thought back to the day we brought Sequra to Wolf Haven. She was just two years old at the time and had been rescued from a difficult situation. She was skinny and afraid and spent the first few weeks with her tail tucked as she hid behind the snowberry bushes in her enclosure whenever staff was present. In time, she regained her sense of self and it made our hearts happy to see her thrive in her new home. Over the years, Sequra was paired with three different males and she was kind, affectionate and a steadfast friend to each. Generosity of spirit and kindness of heart is the legacy she leaves (as well as her unique food caching skills).

Sequra's final adoption photo - 2016

Sequra’s final adoption photo – 2016

Rest in peace, beautiful Sequra.

Summer Sanctuary Update at Wolf Haven

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by Pamel Maciel, Mexican Wolf SSP/Hispanic Outreach Specialist, Wolf Haven International

This article was originally published in the Summer 2016 issue of Wolf Tracks, Wolf Haven’s quarterly magazine for Members.

 

Spruce's final adoption picture, Julie Lawrence photo

Spruce’s final adoption picture (Julie Lawrence photo)

Our recount of these last few months is a bittersweet one. In late March, we lost our dear friend Spruce. He was a sweet 13-year old male gray wolf who passed after a year and a half period of health decline. For some of us, Spruce’s passing hasn’t been easy to assimilate. He was a big white wolf with a conspicuous presence. Every time Animal Care staff was feeding in the area, Spruce “followed” us along the fence line, observing each of our movements. He stared at us with intense focus, as if hoping that every meatloaf, chicken, salmon or treat in the truck was for him and only him. Farewell, beautiful Spruce, you will always be part of the sanctuary.

Willow, T, and Senna

Willow, T, and Senna

While some go, others come and this spring we warmly received Tecumseh, a high-content wolfdog born to the pet trade. “T” is of shy temperament and has a gorgeous expressive face. He is currently housed with hyperactive wolfdog sisters Willow and Senna, who are making sure his life here is anything but boring. Welcome handsome “T”!

In a humbling expression of the cycle of life, Wolf Haven’s red wolf community experienced a couple of changes. In June we said goodbye to both Jacob (M1405) and Tamaska (F1485). For several days prior to his passing, Jacob wasn’t his usual self. When we took him to the clinic, his blood profile revealed chronic renal failure -a common disease in older canines (Jacob was 11 years old, an advanced age for a wolf.) As his kidneys weren’t functional, the best we could do was help him peacefully move on from this life. Tamaska had a really hard time losing her friend. Usually the remaining companion will grieve for several days, so we allow them time and space to adjust before making any changes or bringing a new mate. After two weeks, she still had no appetite and was very lethargic. We decided to take her to the vet and, unfortunately, tests results were consistent with Addison’s decease.

Red wolves Tamaska & Jacob

Red wolf pair Tamaska & Jacob

The most likely scenario is that she had this underlying condition for a while but the stress of Jacob’s passing was the tipping point. They were very bonded and it’s difficult to say what her quality of life would have been moving forward. We could have tried to manage it (the condition is fairly common in certain breeds of dogs) but it would have required catching her up every 20 days for the rest of her life for injections, which is ok perhaps for a domestic dog, but not for a red wolf.

The kindest thing we could do was to help her pass on and join her beloved friend. Jacob and Tamaska lived and died as a tightly bonded pair. We will always have them in our hearts.

On the uplifting side of news, we have red wolf pups!  In June, they started crawling out of the den and exploring all the surroundings. Nash (F1945) is being a wonderful mom, taking the best possible care of her kids, nursing them and keeping them safe.

11-week old pups at their health care check

11-week old pups at their health care check     (Julie Lawrence photo)

Parents, Nash (mother) and Tala (father)

Parents, Nash (mother) and Tala (father)

She initially gave dad Tala (M1482) a hard time when he tried to approach the pups, but eventually she welcomed him to the group, keeping an eye on him and making sure he is delicate and careful at all times. Watching the family dynamics via remote camera is such a delight; we are lucky to be able to learn from them! This litter is a result of the red wolf Species Survival Plan (SSP) efforts. Every single one of these little beings is an invaluable contribution to the conservation of the extremely endangered red wolf, the only wolf species endemic to the United States.

Loving good-bye to red wolf pair

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Red wolves Tamaska & Jacob

Red wolf pair Tamaska & Jacob

JACOB BLACK

Jacob and Tamaska were part of the Red Wolf Species Survival Plan program, a federally managed program designed to maintain the genetic health and viability of this incredibly endangered species.

Jacob Black

Jacob Black

Jacob had recently turned 11, and though not considered old by Wolf Haven standards, he was approaching old age. We began to notice some changes in him; most notably, he seemed a little slower than usual. One morning, instead of eagerly waiting at the fence for food and dancing from foot to foot as usual, he hung back. Despite this change in behavior, Jacob continued to eat and move well, but on June 3, he was found lying in his daybed next to the large oak tree in his enclosure. Animal care staff brought Jacob to the clinic where blood work revealed advanced kidney failure. Sadly, there was nothing that could be done but help our friend pass peacefully. Jacob was humanely euthanized at the clinic without ever waking up.

TAMASKA

Tamaska, female red wolf

Tamaska, female red wolf

Jacob’s passing took a toll on his enclosure mate, Tamaska. Often when a wolf loses his or her mate, we see what we would call grief manifest in myriad ways, just as we do with humans. Sometimes it is general lethargy, or lack of appetite, or some other change in behavior. For Tamaska, it was all of these things.

Initially we attributed these changes to her adjusting to life without Jacob, but when her behavior didn’t improve, we took her to the veterinary clinic. Bloodwork revealed that Tamaska had Addison’s disease, a disorder of the adrenal gland that is often exacerbated by stress. The most likely scenario is that she had this underlying condition for a while but the stress of Jacob’s passing was the tipping point. They were very bonded and it’s difficult to say what her quality of life would have been moving forward. We could have tried to manage it – the condition is fairly common in certain breeds of dogs – but it would have required us catching her up every 20 days for the rest of her life for injections. This might be ok with a domestic dog, but not a red wolf.

The kindest thing we could do was to help her pass on. Tamaska passed away on June 15, less than two weeks after Jacob died.

Tamaska and Jacob had been very bonded while they lived together at Wolf Haven.  In death, we plan to put them together in our memorial garden – just as they should be. Rest in peace beautiful Tamaska and handsome Jacob.

Wolf memorial cemetery

Wolf memorial cemetery

 

Happy National Volunteer Week!

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Volunteer designed frame for wolf photos

Volunteer designed frame for wolf photos

by Cindy Irwin, Director of Volunteer Services, Wolf Haven International

Wolf Haven volunteers help to create a better world for wolves and people in many ways. Just as the wolf pack depends upon one another for survival, Wolf Haven depends on volunteers to help us accomplish our goals.

Here are some of many activities our volunteers are involved with that support our mission, “to conserve and protect wolves and their habitat”.

Volunteers Becky & Kaye prepare wolf posters for education programs.

Volunteers Becky & Kaye prepare material for education programs.

Volunteer guide talks to group about wolves.

Volunteer guide talks to group about wolves.

• Provide our guests with a chance to see sanctuary animals and learn about wolf behavior

• Get their hands dirty in the ground to help create a beautiful landscape

• Staff information tables that provide additional information about wolf behavior

•Ask for donations to further the work of the sanctuary

• Serve as a board member for Wolf Haven

• Use artistic talents to support our events & fundraisers

Volunteer Suzanne talks to visitors about prairie plants.

Volunteer Suzanne talks to visitors about prairie plants.

• Create unique or smelly “enrichment” for the resident animals

• Guide guests through the prairie so they can learn about the native plants and animals

• Provide information about wolf conservation throughout the community at schools, churches, fairs,  and prisons

• Give visitors a memorable experience at our sanctuary

<em>Volunteer Kevin discusses nonlethal deterrents to keep predators from livestock.

Volunteer Kevin discusses nonlethal deterrents to keep predators from livestock.

 

 

 

Could you be a Wolf Haven volunteer? Want to learn more? Send an email to Wolf Haven’s Director of Volunteer Services, Cindy Irwin, at cirwin@wolfhaven.org.

Volunteers tend to the enrichment garden in wolf sanctuary.

Volunteers tend to the enrichment garden in wolf sanctuary.

Saying good-bye to Spruce

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by Wendy Spencer, Director of Animal Care

RIP Beloved Spruce (2003-20016)

RIP Beloved Spruce
(2003-20016)

Saying goodbye to one of our friends is never easy, so it is with a heavy heart I write to let you know that Spruce has passed away.

We have been watching a decline in his condition over the course of the last year and though he had been enjoying relatively good quality of life, we knew that his time would be drawing near. During the morning walk-through the sanctuary on Saturday, March 12, Spruce was not at the front of his enclosure waiting for food like he has been every other day for the last 13 years.

Spruce in his younger years

Spruce in his younger years

Right away, we knew something was not right. After checking his shelters and still finding no sign of him, we checked his natural den and discovered him lying near the entrance, head poking out but the rest of his body inside. He was alert and responsive but too weak to get himself out. Animal Care staff chemically immobilized him to help him out of his den and since we had him in hand, we took him to the vet for a full diagnostic. Sadly, x-rays revealed fluid in one of his lung fields as well as what appeared to be cancer. Additionally, his other organs did not look healthy and blood work indicated that his liver was shutting down.  The kindest thing we could do for our friend was to help him along, so Spruce was humanely euthanized at the clinic without every waking up from anesthesia.

An earlier photo of Spruce

Cricket & her brother Spruce

Spruce’s sisters Cricket and Jinkies passed away a few years ago from similar cardio-respiratory conditions, so we suspect there might have been something hereditary in this family. Spruce is survived by three remaining littermates, (Myta, Chai and Bart), who at this point show no signs of any health issues. We are hopeful that whatever afflicted Spruce and his sisters is not present in the rest of the group.

Spruce enjoying a stuffed pumpkin.

Spruce enjoying a stuffed pumpkin.

Spruce and his entire family of eight were rescued from private ownership in 2003, when Spruce and his siblings were just seven months old. We have had the honor and privilege of watching him mature into a larger-than-life presence in the sanctuary. He lived most of his adult life on the public visitor route and because of his comfort level around staff and visitors (as well as his stunning looks), he became one of the most photographed wolves in our sanctuary.

Though he slowed down the last few years, Spruce was one of the most vocal and gregarious animals here and because of his antics, he endeared himself to all who had the honor of knowing him.  He has left an indelible mark on our hearts and minds. And although it is bittersweet each time I walk by his now vacant enclosure, I cannot help but smile a little as I think of him and the joy of his fullness of being. Rest in peace, friend.

Remembering Wayne

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by Cindy Irwin, Director of Volunteer Services, Wolf Haven

“Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same.”

Flavia Weedn

Wolf Haven has lost a cherished volunteer. Wayne Clark Elliott served as a sanctuary guide steadfastly for ten years. With a booming voice, he shared his passion for wolves with thousands of guests from all over the world. Wayne was known by all as an expressive communicator with a very unique sense of humor.

One of the favorite anecdotes he would share with guests was the wolves’ fondness for frozen bloodsicles. With a straight face, he would suggest that visitors pick up their own frozen blood treat in the gift shop at the end of their visit. You could see folks looking at each other, thinking “Is this guy serious?” All the puzzled looks were replaced with smiles when they heard the words“ Just joking!”, in that rich, commanding tone of voice unique to Wayne.

Wayne packed so much information into his wolf tours that he found it difficult to keep it to the prescribed 50 minutes. He simply loved sharing his passion, which successfully led to his goal of dispelling myth and legend about wolves, both captive and wild.

Wayne receiving award at 2015 Volunteer Appreciation

Wayne receiving award at 2015 Volunteer Appreciation

For many of us, there will always be an empty spot where Wayne once was. He was a great teacher and we all looked up to him. Just like the wolves who have passed during the last 34 years, Wayne will never be forgotten. His contribution to wolf conservation has become a permanent legacy at our sanctuary of peace. I would like to think of him now residing in a heavenly place where he may chat about what he loves, without limits. Rest in peace, Wayne.