02.2017 newsletter

Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center FEBRUARY 2017

February is a month of love.

Here are a few of our staff with a two legged lover or a 4.

You may see that Keyni and Navi are popular with the ladies.

My, My, What A Pink Nose You Have Submitted by Stacey Rampp, CWWC Intern

CERTIFIED BY THE

The Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization certified by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA). Look for this logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things.

January’s Bonfire and BBQ was a big success!

Thanks to all who attended!

The contents of the material we include in our newsletter does not necessarily reflect the views of Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center. We collect information from sources that are from other organizations, the web, news feeds, and/or other sources. We choose articles that are in the related field of education and conservation.

To subscribe to our newsletter, visit our website at wolfeducation.org and sign up on the newsletter page.

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Many who have visited or follow the center have seen, met, or heard about our precious arctic wolf puppies, Raksha and Isha. Now nine months old and nearing ninety pounds, we have realized that one of the pups is a bit odd. Isha, the shy one of the two, was born white, which is extremely rare, and has pink skin. His once black nose is also now pink. Arctic wolves are typically born a brownish color with a black nose that does not change in color. They also have black skin comparable to that of a polar bear and long hollow guard hairs that direct sunlight down to that black skin to insulate them. These adaptations have helped them thrive in temperatures as low as -70F. It would be interesting to compare Isha’s internal body temperature to Raksha’s during our colder Colorado days to see how the lack of black skin may affect him.

A possible theory that I have considered for Isha’s unique traits actually comes from prior experience with an animal that I worked with at a different facility. This particular elk appeared to be solid white from a distance, but under closer review had a few occasional brown hairs which showed itself in light cream-colored patches. He also had beautiful blue eyes. His condition, leucism, is also commonly found in other animals. Leucism, a contrast to albinism, is a condition of reduced pigmentation, marked by overall pale color or patches of reduced coloring. It is caused by a genetic mutation which inhibits melanin and other pigments from being deposited in feathers, hair, or skin. It can sometimes cause a change in eye color, but not in all cases. A genetic mutation such as this could be a possible explanation for Isha’s overall color abnormalities.

Another theory to consider is a condition often found in domesticated dogs. However, it would only explain a small portion of Isha’s abnormalities. Many dog owners may find that his or her dog’s nose is turning pink. This condition, commonly called snow nose or “winter nose”, is a

loss of pigmentation in a normally dark nose. It may cause the nose to become an overall lighter color, or may appear in light and dark stripes across the nose. This most often occurs during winter months. It is possible that the dog’s distant ancestor, the wolf, can also be found with this condition.

There are many possible theories for Isha’s abnormalities.

Perhaps one day we will figure it out. Regardless, he will continue to be our beautifully unique “little” boy.

Arctic Wolf Habitat and Distribution: The range of the Arctic wolf’s territory is entirely contained in North America above 67 degrees north latitude - also known as the Arctic Circle. Above this invisible line is the frigid cold region known as the Arctic. The Arctic region is extremely inhospitable for both plants and animals; in fact, during the harsh winters temperatures often plummet to below -70F! Most of the year the ground is covered by snow and ice, resulting in only a few tundra plants which grow during the short summer season.

Despite the harsh landscape, the Arctic wolf has adapted to its environment in several ways. It’s large body in proportion to skin area allows it to generate and retain a larger amount of heat along with its black skin which promotes solar heat retention. No matter where the heat comes from, it is kept close to the wolf because of its hollow, heat trapping, guard hairs. In fact, the Arctic wolf is so good at preserving heat that during the cold winter months, snow does not even melt on its fur. But not only does the fur keep them warm, it also provides a great camouflage in the snow to help them hunt. If those were not enough adaptations, Arctic wolves also have huge paws with a bit of webbing between the paws which act as snow-shoes.

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HAPPENINGS AROUND CWWC February is not only for love, and birthdays and anniversaries, (February 25th just so happens to be my birthday and the 24th anniversity of CWWC), but construction. Yes CWWC is always improving in summer or winter.

I never dreamed that my little Center 24 years ago would develop into one of the finest sanctuaries

anywhere. We have came a long way baby! From 8 acres to 70, a visitor center that was 10’x12’ to almost 2000 sq feet, 2 offices, gallery,library,coffee and observation area, conservation corner and beautiful gift shop, no staff to employees, educating over 40,000 guests a year, involved in bringing the wolf back to Colorado in the future,interna-

tionally known and so much more. Wow! I want to take this time to thank all of the people who have been and are part of CWWC for all of their dedication, creativity, passion, and hard work to help make this organization what it is today. I want to thank Rick who is in charge of Operations and can fix anything from computers to

construction, create beautiful landscaping such as the lights that so beautifully illuminate colors of the season and helping me to keep this wolf ranch running as smoothly as possible which is a 24/7 job. I am grateful for so many things in my life and also the stars that led our paths together.

- Darlene

The beginning of our chicken and peacock enclosure

New smoking area

New construction on the new check in office

A new clock tower and queens quarters after 24 yrs

In 3 weeks this will be gone and replaced with our new Conservation Corner

We now have directional signs throughout CWWC. Some are in memory of and some are named for all of the right reasons

The entrance all lit up at night

The WOLF DEN is new for our guests

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Mexican Gray March February 8, 2017

At the beginning of this month, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to travel to Santa Fe, New Mexico, for the “Howling Mad March,” at the capital. This was a peaceful march for Mexican Gray wolves. The purpose of this march was to show the governor of New Mexico, Susana Martinez, that citizens support the reintroduction program for this subspecies.

We had about 250 people come out for the march. We had signs, music, public speakers, and educational booths. We walked almost eight circles around the New Mexico capital. Again, this was a peaceful and respectful march. Wolves need humans to speak out for them, since they are highly misunderstood. Politicians enact bills that could help or harm these

animals. It is important to show politicians that residents support wolf recovery programs.

The Mexican Gray population is suffering, due to the lack of genetic diversity in Arizona and New Mexico. Specifically in New Mexico, Governor Martinez has halted the recovery program in her state. This has caused the remaining 47 Mexican Gray wolves to begin inbreeding, in New Mexico. Inbreeding in animals in not uncommon. However, inbreeding can eventually cause illness and small litter sizes. There are only six breeding pairs of Mexican Grays, and their litter sizes are staring to suffer. It is extremely important that more Mexican Grays are released, so that they can begin to inbreed with new DNA.

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Residents of Arizona and New Mexico still fear that Mexican Grays will kill humans and livestock. If a Mexican Gray wolf were to kill a livestock animal in either of these states, the owner will receive compensation from their government. There have been zero incidents of wolves (of any species) killing humans in the Lower 48 states.

The Mexican Gray wolf went extinct in the wild, due to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service poisoning and trapping almost all these wolves from 1915 until 1973. Between 1977 and 1908, the last five survivors were captured to be bred in captivity and reintroduced in 1998.

In recent news, experts are claiming that there are 113 Mexican Grays between Arizona and

New Mexico. However, there were 14 illegal killings in 2016. Even if there are 113 Mexican Grays, there is still not enough genetic diversity in these two states.

Please call the Arizona and New Mexico Senators, and tell them to support the reintroduction or Mexican Gray Wolves. It is essential that we help this species revive their population.

Susana Martinez New Mexico Governor (505) 476-2200 Doug Ducey Arizona Governor (602) 542-4331

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CONSERVATION CORNER

The Dingo Canis Dingo

My Dingo friends

By Lisa Molkner-Foord - a friend and supporter of CWWC from Australia

I’m a dog walker in Sydney Australia. I have the great joy of spending my days along side many different breeds of dogs, three of which are dingoes. It is truly an honour to walk beside my dingo friends. They are highly intelligent, very aloof, show no aggression towards other dogs…even the small yappy dogs that greet us at the fence as we walk by. They are very gentle towards people that they know, though can be shy & stand offish when meeting new people. It took around 4 visits before I was accepted into their pack. I have been walking them now for the last 4 months. I get covered in kisses on my arrival, & love my relax time just hanging out with them around their den after our walk. They have a little human brother whom they adore & wonderful owners who provide them with a loving home & all they need. Momma is the alpha of our pack (think I’m somewhere down the bottom lol) & what a dedicated alpha she is!

I have learned so much these past 4 months thanks to these guys, mostly about the pack & the spirit of the dingo.

Persephone AKA momma - the alpha

“A dingo ate my baby” is a phrase attributed to Lindy Chamberlain and also to Meryl Streep’s depiction of Chamberlain in the movie A Cry in the Dark (1988) – also known as Evil Angels – about the death of Azaria Chamberlain, an Australian baby girl who died in 1980 at Uluru in the Northern Territory. The Chamberlain family had been holidaying at Uluru when their daughter was taken from their tent by a dingo.

The authorities disbelieved the family’s story about a dingo, and prosecuted and won convictions against Lindy Chamberlain for murder and against her then-husband Michael Chamberlain as an accessory after the fact. Ultimately, the courts found both parents innocent after being sent to court 3 different times, and the coroner found Azaria’s death was “the result of being attacked and taken by a dingo.”

The phrase “A dingo ate my baby” was not actually used by Chamberlain, nor is it used in the film. Chamberlain is reported to have called out to her husband, “a dingo took my baby”, or either “That dog’s got my baby” or “My God, My God, a dingo has got my baby”. In the film, Streep’s character, upon discovering her daughter missing, cries out, “A dingo›s got my baby.”

Dingoes, like wolves, have a “bad rap”. The above story does not include the information that the baby’s clothes were removed not shredded.

Dingoes are beautiful Australian dogs that are efficient hunters. For some Australians, the dingo is a cultural icon. The introduction of the dingo is seen by many as being responsible for the Tasmanian Tiger’s extinction on the Australian mainland about two thousand years ago, although a recent study challenges this view. Dingoes have a prominent role in the culture of Aboriginal Australians as a feature of stories and ceremonies, and they are depicted on rock carvings and cave paintings.

Submitted by Catherine Crothers, CWWC Staff Member - From Wikapedia

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Bear

Gerda

DINGO FACTS

Fossil evidence indicates that dingoes have been in Australia for at least 3500 years this date is based on the discovery of dingo remains.

LIFESPAN: In the wild up to 10 years, most around 5-7.

In captivity up to 20 years.

WEIGHT: 15-19 kg · LENGTH: 130cm · SHOULDER HEIGHT: 55cm COAT: Short double coated (in colder months) 3 main colors; ginger, black & tan, white. Hair covers all body parts including belly and inner thighs.

EYES: Almond-shaped, obliquely placed & dark eye lining.

TRACK SIZES: Adult front paw · length - 8cm · width - 7cm These sizes appear standard size regardless of height, development or build.

BODY: Similar to the wolf, the dingo has narrow chest & long sternum that protects all vital organs. Thick bushy tail with a white tip is common.

SOCIAL/ORGANIZATION: Live in & maintain a defined territory, strict hierarchies. Only dominant male & female breed. Long- term pair bond formed.

VOCALIZATION: Wide range of vocalization in different contexts.

Howling most common with snuff barking a common vocalization.

BREEDING: One breeding season per year. Sexual maturity after 12-24months.

HUNTING/DIET: Small to medium prey, they do not easily digest starch or high fat content.

INTELLIGENCE: Highly intelligent, wolf like in their problem solving ability. Exhibit higher order behaviors.

DOMESTICATED/RELIANCE ON HUMANS: Suited to living in the wild but can make successful pets under the right conditions.

Highly aloof & difficult to train.

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ADOPTION CORNER

Available from TCRAS Teller County Regional Animal Shelter tcrascolorado.com · 719.686.7707 NO-KILL shelter in Divide, Colorado

Available from San Luis Valley Animal Welfare Society slvaws.org · 719.587.woof (9663) · Non-Profit NO-KILL Shelter

ADOPTION FAIR

Every Saturday 11am to 5pm Petco Colorado Springs · 5020 N. Nevada

Supriah

Yams DUTCH. Less than one year old, best with female dogs. Happy, high energy puppy.

Food aggressive with male dogs. About 65 lbs, neutered, all vaccinations.

AGE: 4 y 2 m 5 d · SEX: Female/Spayed · Brown/White Retriever, Labrador/Hound My name is Supriah. My friend and I came in as strays, but I am now looking for a new home. I am a strong girl. I love to go for walks. I would love to have a person to take me on hikes. If you want me to be a friend to another dog, please bring them to meet me so we can make sure it is a good fit. I do know my house manners. Please come to TCRAS and meet me.

AGE: 4 y 2 m 24 d · SEX: Male/Neutered · Orange Domestic Shorthair/Mix Hi. My name is Yams. I came into TCRAS as a stray, so I do not have a story to tell. I have been very good since coming to the shelter. I love to talk and I am also a great listener. I know my house manners. I am now ready to start a new chapter of my life with a family and a forever home. Please come and meet me.

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SAMANTHA. 5 year old German shepherd. Spayed, all vacc’s. Has been in and out of shelters and homes because she jumps the fence. Minimum 6 ft required. Sweet girl.

Loves to play with a male dog at the shelter.

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The Law for the Wolves

NOW this is the law of the jungle, as old and as true as the sky, And the wolf that shall keep it may prosper, but the wolf that shall break it must die.

As the creeper that girdles the tree trunk, the law runneth forward and back; For the strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the pack.

Wash daily from nose tip to tail tip; drink deeply, but never too deep; And remember the night is for hunting and forget not the day is for sleep.

The jackal may follow the tiger, but, cub, when thy whiskers are grown, Remember the wolf is a hunter—go forth and get food of thy own.

Keep peace with the lords of the jungle, the tiger, the panther, the bear; And trouble not Hathi the Silent, and mock not the boar in his lair.

When pack meets with pack in the jungle, and neither will go from the trail, Lie down till the leaders have spoken; it may be fair words shall prevail.

When ye fight with a wolf of the pack ye must fight him alone and afar, Lest others take part in the quarrel and the pack is diminished by war.

The lair of the wolf is his refuge, and where he has made him his home, Not even the head wolf may enter, not even the council may come.

The lair of the wolf is his refuge, but where he has digged it too plain, The council shall send him a message, and so he shall change it again.

If ye kill before midnight be silent and wake not the woods with your bay, Lest ye frighten the deer from the crop and thy brothers go empty away.

Ye may kill for yourselves, and your mates, and your cubs as they need and ye can; But kill not for pleasure of killing, and seven times never kill man.

If ye plunder his kill from a weaker, devour not all in thy pride, Pack-right is the right of the meanest; so leave him the head and the hide.

The kill of the pack is the meat of the pack. Ye must eat where it lies; And no one may carry away of that meat to his lair, or he dies.

The kill of the wolf is the meat of the wolf. He may do what he will, But, till he is given permission, the pack may not eat of that kill.

Lair right is the right of the mother. From all of her years she may claim One haunch of each kill for her litter, and none may deny her the same.

Cub right is the right of the yearling. From all of his pack he may claim Full gorge when the killer has eaten; and none may refuse him the same.

Cave right is the right of the father, to hunt by himself for his own; He is freed from all calls to the pack. He is judged by the council alone.

Because of his age and his cunning, because of his gripe and his paw, In all that the law leaveth open the word of the head wolf is law.

Now these are the laws of the jungle, and many and mighty are they; But the head and the hoof of the law and the haunch and the hump is—Obey!

– Rudyard Kipling (1865–1936)