On Sunday and Monday – cold and wet – some of the WOWEE volunteers gathered at the farm to get ready for the new arrivals.  This included finding money to buy material to build a perimeter fence around the proposed enclosures, buying the material, finding a truck owning, available volunteer to get the material to the farm, building the fence, cleaning out the enclosures, moving the current residents to new places and finding a way to transport and feed the wolves.  It took two days to customize the enclosures.  State, local and Federal laws have strict guidelines about these things.  Sally Reaves, Marlene Conti and Ron Witham live at the farm and do most of the work most of the time.  We have wonderful volunteers but many were not available on such short notice.

On Tuesday afternoon we went to Lollypop Farm to pick up our new charges.  We were all worried about the transfer.  Their initial move had not been easy.  These are not pets, not tame at all, in fact.  However, they loaded into crates as easily as dogs and unloaded into their enclosures just as easily.  One female, Nanook, and the male, Yukon, are very timid and spent their first several hours as far back into their houses as possible.  Misty, the other female, was much braver and friendlier with the people milling around.  She licked hands and approached readily, though carefully.  She also ate whatever was offered with great gusto. 

Now we have to figure out how to keep the enclosures clean with a minimum amount of risk to them and to us.  All three were neutered last week, so a clean environment is critical to staving off infections around the incisions.  Going into the enclosures with shovels or rakes could be seen as a threat or even attack by the wolves.  Although, they have shown no signs of aggression during all their traumas, there is always a risk involved with wild animals, especially when they feel threatened.

The two females are sharing an enclosure.  We have to find a way to feed them that ensures they both get enough to eat.  Misty, braver with people, will go to the food faster and eat everything she can, leaving little or nothing for Nanook.  So we have to divide the food, distribute it so that they each get their share, but do it in a way that does not intrude too much on their space.

Plus, two new problems cropped up during the first night.

The three wolves howled and howled and howled …. All night long.  Then the two herd dogs barked, our own two wolves howled and the four little dogs who live indoors barked along.  It was a noisy chain reaction that would die down for a little while then wind up to full throttle again.  This may sound funny to those of us who don’t live there, but it was distinctly UNfunny to the farm residents – the sleepless residents.

Also the two females got into a bloody fight in the small morning hours.  Female wolves fight – dominance issues, food, space – have to be claimed and reclaimed in pack life.  Our two wolves fight, but it is mostly noise and fur, not blood letting.  This fight was not unusual – especially considering all the stress these animals have endured – but it was a true fight and both animals were bloodied.  Misty has a nasty gash in her forehead as a result.  We are hoping to avoid vet care as this would be yet another stress on them.  Wolves & wolf hybrids do not take tranquilizers easily or well and the drugs can be life threatening combined with the stress hormones.  So we are watching the wound and hoping it will heal well and naturally.

As these wolves don’t have room to run or play, we estimate they will eat about three pounds of meat per day per animal.  In ideal conditions, they need about five pounds per animal per day.  They eat only raw meat and you can’t get scraps at the local butcher anymore.  The potential cost was going to present a real challenge to our meager budget.  However, Ivan Davis of Grizzly Custom Cutting in Hunt, NY has graciously donated raw meat products to feed the wolves.  His generosity will also supplement our other predators with tasty things like beef hearts, chicken gizzards and beef tongue…mmmmmm. 

Wolf Town – a wolf rescue and sanctuary in Washington has donated money for the enclosure expense and we have received some private donations.

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