Spring - Wolf Park

On April 19-21, Wolf Park celebrated its 30th Anniversary with a weekend
of exciting and well-attended festivities. Friday was unseasonably hot — into
the 80s — and visitors and wolves alike baked in the sun, slathered on
sunscreen and grumbled about the weather. They shouldn’t have; as if in
response, the rest of the weekend was cold and wet.
Opening ceremonies on Friday included the dedication of the new bridge,
which was located, negotiated for and
wrangled into place by managing director
Amanda Shaad and funded by board
members Gladys and Al Wright. (It has
been named the Erich Klinghammer
Memorial Bridge) The bridge was put in
place on March 3rd, and both it and the new
Loop Trail which goes over it were
completed just in time for the weekend. (We
are now busily putting bison fence in so the
bison may once again use that field, and
visitors can have a closer look at them.)
Just after the bridge dedication, Dr.
Klinghammer received the prestigious
Quarterly Newsletter of the
North American Wildlife Park Foundation Vol. 29 No. 2 - Summer 2002
Celebrating 30 Howling Good Years
Flutist Topwaya plays for Seneca.
Sagamore of the Wabash award (see page 3). Shortly thereafter the audience
was invited to participate in the first official crossing of the bridge, to see the
back half of East Lake “up close and personal”. With Dr. Klinghammer in the
lead, they stampeded over the structure and only a few stopped to see if they
could get the bridge to bounce up and down (they couldn’t).
The foxes goggled at the masses of people surging past them from an
unfamiliar direction. Kiri and Socrates wagged and preened and waved and
grumbled at each other for a better view of their audience. Later in the
evening a visiting flutist, Topwaya, played Native American-inspired flute
music, inspiring several chorus howls and beautiful and haunting wolf/flute
duets. (He played a solo for Seneca, who tried to eat the flute.)
The lecture tent was packed all day Saturday — first Nina Fascione of
Defenders of Wildlife, then Dogs author Ray Coppinger, and then noted red
wolf expert John Weller presented a series of fascinating talks. Those
Wolf Park is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of wolves
in captivity and in the wild through behavioral research and education.
humans brave enough to venture outside were the first to complete real fullcircle
tours of the Park, and could get a close look at the visiting Arctic wolves,
Chance and Jacona, returning courtesy of O.J. Volkman and Wolfwood Ranch
in Minnesota. Visitors also got to enjoy the new shade cloth over the
bleachers — less as a sunscreen than as a mild water repellent, but they still
seemed to enjoy it.
The auction, headed again by Dr.
Samuel Conway, was a great success. Dr.
Conway auctioned off Yellowstone wolf
scat, bedspreads, button covers, coasters,
beer steins and even his own tie, netting
three thousand dollars for the Park. (Many
thank-yous are due to Dr. Conway for his
excellent performance at the auction, and
also to our members who donated so many
wonderful items.)
Saturday ended in a banquet at the
Trails, at which Doug Smith of the
Photo by Monty Sloan
By Jessica Willard
Yellowstone wolf project (a former Wolf Park
puppy mother!) delivered an excellent talk to
the accompaniment of good food.
On Sunday, Guenther Bloch (husband of Karin Bloch, our primary puppy
mother, and a noted wolf researcher), Beth Duman, and Dr. Klinghammer
rounded out the speeches. The lucky people who won “animal time” in the
auction got to visit with the main pack, wolves at East Lake, and the Arctic
wolves, and participate in Foxes With Boxes, a vulpine feast encased in
cardboard for their excavating pleasure.
The Sunday wolf-bison demonstration was made quite exciting by the birth
of new bison calves earlier in the week. Fortunately, every bison calf is
protected by at least 800 pounds of bison mama. The mama bison protected
their babies very well from Tristan, and the demos were exciting but ultimately
uneventful.
Next year’s smaller (but still fun!) Members’ Weekend event will be held
April 11-13. Mark your calendars!
Interns, volunteers and staff celebrate the completion of the bridge. Photo by Monty Sloan Chance (l) and Jacona, visiting from OJ Volkman’s Wolfwood Ranch. Photo by Monty Sloan

CHECK OUT OUR WEB SITE AT http://www.wolfpark.org
2
On April 19-21 we celebrated Wolf Park’s 30 th anniversary. Where
did all the years go? It was not too long ago – in my mind – that Koko and
Cassie came to us from the Brookfield Zoological Park west of Chicago.
They were donated to us by Dr. George Rabb, then the director of research,
and now director of the zoo. It was gratifying to have him present during part
of our anniversary celebrations. We have come a long way from that first
small enclosure next to my house to the way the park appears now to our
visitors. We have a Seminar/Education Building, and due to the generosity of
board member Gladys Wright and her husband Al we have an Observation
Building and a new Visitors’ Center. We have new bleachers that can seat
400 people, and we have a large parking lot that can accommodate 200-300
cars. Even the road has been improved somewhat. We have completed the
Loop Trail, which enables visitors to begin at the bleachers, and walk around
the main pack enclosure and East Lake in a complete circle rather than
doubling back. The bridge was also donated by Gladys and Al Wright, as
was the new road leading from it to the Education Building.
The presentation of my appointment as Sagamore of the Wabash by State
Representative Sheila Klinker on behalf of Governor O’Bannon took place on
the new bridge. While I was given this honor, I see it as a sign of
appreciation for all of us at Wolf Park. While I had the original idea about
starting wolf research on our farm, which is now owned by Wolf Park, the
park would not exist were it not for the dedicated efforts of everyone
associated with it. I want to thank especially my former wife Suzanne, for all
her dedication taking care of legal matters, keeping the books and handling
the finances.
Throughout the three days of our celebration many people came to visit.
Friends from the Society of the Protection of Wolves in Germany, my
daughter Kirsten, board member Phil DePoy and my friend Nicola
Rubenstein all came. My cousin Pliny and his wife Joan came from Florida.
My friend and colleague Ray Coppinger and his wife Lorna came from
Massachusetts, and Nina Fascione, of Defenders of Wildlife, came from
Washington, DC. Gordon Burghardt, a fellow graduate with me at the
University of Chicago, came to the banquet. Several people who could not
come sent letters which were read aloud. Douglas Smith, who started his
wolf career at Wolf Park more than 20 years ago as a puppy mother, gave
the keynote address about his work in Yellowstone National Park where he is
now in charge of the wolf reintroduction project.
The food at the banquet, held at The Trails nearby, was excellent. Before
the dinner, our board gave me an award consisting of a wolf bust created by
our own resident artist Gale Motter. Amanda, our managing director,
presented me with a Festschrift (a book of letters many people who had been
associated with me and Wolf Park in previous years had written about their
memories), which I really appreciated. I thought our anniversary was a great
success.
I want to thank every one of our staff, interns and volunteers who made
this possible. Amanda Shaad was the originator and driving force behind this
event. (The bouquet of flowers I gave you, Amanda, is merely a small token
of appreciation for all you have done to make this celebration a howling
success.) I apologize to anyone whom I might have failed to mention. Thank
you all for coming, and many thanks to all of
you, our members, who have helped make 30
years of wolves possible.
WOLF PARK Battle Ground, IN 47920
(765) 567-2265 FAX: (765) 567-4299
Wolf Park News Summer 2002
Membership benefits include:
• Free admission to the Park
• Wolf Park News
• 10% off books from the Gift Shop
• Invitation to Members Only Events
• Visitation Privileges With A Wolf*
*Adopt-A-Wolf Sponsorship Only
Weather Permitting
!"
Closed Mondays
Open Tuesday to Sunday
1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.
for Howl Night
# $% &' !"
Wolf Park is open every Saturday
at 7:30 p.m. for Howl Night only
(' &)*+
Listen to the intriguing sounds of our
wolves as they communicate through
their howls. After the lecture, join in
a chorus howl of your own.
, '- & # + +&
See wolves and bison interact as
wolves test bison for signs of
weakness. Our healthy bison have
nothing to fear from the wolves.
Sunday Only: Lecture 1:00 p.m.
followed by demonstration.
. & &
— Members Always Free —
Tuesday - Saturday & Howl Night:
Children 1 to 5 years - FREE
Children 6 to 13 years - $3.00
14 years and older - $5.00
Sunday:
Children 1 to 5 years - FREE
Children 6 to 13 years - $3.00
14 years and older - $6.00
Groups of more than 20 people are admitted at
$4.00 each Tues. - Sat. & Howl Nights. On Sun.,
groups of more than 20 are $5.00 per person.
The Institute of Ethology
supports research and education:
• Wolf Behavior Seminars
• Internships and Practica
• Year-round research opportunities

$
#
Wolf Park celebrated its 30th anniversary this April — 30 years with
wolves and 30 years with Park founder Dr. Erich Klinghammer. As
part of the festivities Dr. Klinghammer was presented with a Sagamore
of the Wabash award, honoring his years of contribution to the
state of Indiana via the institution of Wolf Park. The Sagamore is
loosely based on a Native American tradition of the chief appointing a
council of wise elders to advise him. The award is given out by the
governor of Indiana (currently
Frank O’Bannon) to honor
those who have significantly
contributed to the well-being of
the state in some way, and
demonstrated leadership, loyalty,
and inspiration.
Dr. Klinghammer was also
honored by longtime friends
and Wolf Park staff members,
who collected writings and photos
of old times with Erich together
in a festschrift, a book of
memories.
Here’s to 30 more years!
Erich and his Sagamore. Photo by Jessica Willard
Visit our kids’ web site at:
WOLF! Magazine
emphasizes accurate, objective and
timely reporting of news about wolves. It
is the best overview of wolf news
available in one publication. The most
wolf information you can physically fit in
one publication, plus black and white
photos by Monty Sloan. Published three
times per year.
Subscription rates:
• U.S. $22.50/year, $40.00/two years; add $5.00 per year
surcharge for first class mail. Payment by Mastercard, Visa or
check, made out to WOLF! and drawn on a U.S. bank only.
• Canada & Mexico $29.00/year. All other countries $37.50/year
Sample Copy for new readers only: U.S. $3.95, others $5.95
Apollo stretches out and surveys his domain.
Photo by Monty Sloan
Can’t make it out to the Park to
peruse our gorgeously-appointed
new Gift Shop? Weep no more!
Wolf Park’s Gift Shop now has an
online component, so you can shop
in the privacy of your home. Visit us at www.wolfparkstore.
com! You can even buy memberships, subscribe to WOLF!
Magazine, and sign up for seminars online!
Behavior seminars consist of lectures, slide, video and film
presentations, observations and hands-on experience with wolves, as well as
the opportunity to see the Wolf-Bison demonstration up close. The seminars
are based on the behavioral research carried out at Wolf Park since 1972.
Enrollment is limited to 25 per seminar. 5-day seminars require $100 nonrefundable
deposit to hold a spot; 6-day seminars require $200 nonrefundable
deposit. Money cannot be applied to future seminars.
Photography seminars consist of a talk on photographing wolves, and
3 hours of supervised outdoor photography with photographer Monty Sloan.
Participants will photograph Park wolves from inside the enclosure. The
wolves are in semi-natural habitat for fantastic photo opportunities.
Enrollment limited to 7 persons. Non-refundable full payment of $150 is
required to hold a spot. In the event of cancellation, money may be applied to
future seminars.
All participants wishing to interact with the wolves must be at least 18 years old and
able-bodied enough to withstand enthusiastic greeting from a 100-pound wolf.
Restrictions will apply.
2002 Seminar Dates
One-Day Photography Seminars $150 each
October 14, 21, 28; November 4, 25
5-Day Wolf Behavior Seminars $475 each
August 11-15; October 6-10
6-Day Wolf and Dog Behavior Seminar
With Terry Ryan and Dr. Ray Coppinger
June 16-21 $720
Accommodations are extra.
Seminars fill up, so reserve your spot now!
! " "
The Ethogram, our “wolf-to-English dictionary”,
has been totally revamped! With additional
behaviors, updated definitions, a new
introduction and appendices, PLUS black and
white photographs by Monty Sloan illustrating
many of the listed behaviors, the new version
of the Ethogram is an absolute must-have.
Pick up your copy in the gift shop during our 30th anniversary
celebration, visit our online Gift Shop at www.wolfparkstore.com, or
phone (765) 567-2265 between 9-5 Mon-Fri and purchase with a Visa
or MasterCard! Only $15.00 each plus 1.50 S&H.
Monty Sloan’s photography is available online at
Wolf Park News Summer 2002 3
E-mail us at w olfpark@w olfpark.org

4
% & ! "
Spring came again, and with it promises of new dens and invisible puppies.
This spring Devon and Ember created a new earthworks on the site of last
year’s new den — right under the 200-pound slate slabs put in place to prevent
such an occurrence. They nestled in among the rocks underneath the slabs
and looked smug. Andrew came along, lifted the slabs, put down a layer of
hardware cloth, and replaced the dirt and the slabs. The foxes returned and
dug futilely under the now-reinforced slabs. We humans said “Neener neener”.
“Phantom puppies” sometimes occur in female animals who do not have
puppies yet are being signaled, by photoperiod, temperature, and other stimuli,
that they should have puppies. Devon and Ember had phantom puppies last
year and are repeating that experience this year, with Ember trying to carry
Devon around by the scruff of the neck, and poor Corey walking around trying to
figure out which vixen to provision.
Corey began shedding early this year, his winter coat falling out in huge
fuzzy clumps. He was very naked by the time Basil started losing the
occasional bit of soft white fluff. As of this writing, neither of the girls has begun
to shed. They are hanging out in the shade, waiting for their coats to get thin so
they will be cool again. Since the back den has flooded, Ember is hiding out in
the Fox Fallout Shelter, occasionally emerging to beg food from Corey and try to
mother Devon, who tries to mother Ember in return.
Devon’s Weird Leg Owies (which appear to be hot spots of some sort) have
returned this year in the form of one Leg Owie which was quickly squelched by
the prompt action of Andrew, who administered bubble-gum flavored Clavomox
(in peanut butter!) as well as a steroid shot. (Devon was the only fox who did
not like the bubble gum taste. Ember, Basil and even Corey nearly attacked
Andrew trying to get some of the tasty “treat”.)
Basil was very interested in the installation of the bridge, which went on right
next to the fox enclosure. Baz is proud to be the first fox — or any other Park
animal — to have crossed the bridge (on leash and under supervision). He
hopped onto it and crossed fearlessly, dragging his handler behind him.
Devon also went on a
walk this spring, her first in
several months. She ran
around loudly professing
that she’d rather be back in
the enclosure, so vigorously
that we took her home.
(Fox walks are supposed to
be treats for foxes, not
punishments.) We are
working on ways to make
walks more pleasant for
her, so that she can enjoy
Ember (left) and Devon argue over
possession of a bunny.
Photo by Monty Sloan
going out and being allowed
to explore.
With apologies to Michael Strong, and his poem about
Hiawatha’s Mittens, we present a short excerpt from The
Feeding of Marion:
(
She, to get at the meat side, inside,
had to turn the skin side outside,
Had to turn the fur side inside,
Peeling the hide back from the outside,
Till the outside all was inside
In a sort of furry tube.
Pat’s Poetry Corner is neither permanent nor light-fast and will not mark on
concrete, foam or organic matter. It has no known effect on hedgehogs.
Please contact your local Poetry Control Center if Pat’s Poetry Corner
begins to steam, smoke or emit hallucinogens.
Wolf Park News Summer 2002
' ! "
DENEB still has a little fat around her ribs — yay, Deneb! Our little “aerobics
instructor” has started keeping on a little weight, which is good for the oldest wolf
at the Park. (Don’t tell her, though — she feels she must maintain her girlish
figure and will continue her weight-loss-through-fence-fighting program with
more vigor.) Deneb has started asking for tummy-rubs during cleanup, and
enjoys having staff member Gale Motter “somersault” her head over heels
before administering a (purely medicinal!) all-over body rub.
URSA and Andrew continue to make friends via the bliss-inducing influence of
Andrew’s fingers, which we may have to bottle and sell. She, too, enters spring
in good weight and health. She has manifested one unusual phenomenon,
though — her howl seems to have gone on vacation. During Park-wide chorus
howls she gamely tilts her head back and opens her mouth, emitting a soft
breathy noise with no tone. (It’s not a health problem...many old dogs “lose their
voice” with age too.) Fortunately we love her anyway.
On Members’ Weekend we moved ORCA to a larger enclosure to see how he’d
do. He was across the corridor from Chance and Jacona, O. J. Volkman’s arctic
wolves, who were making a guest appearance. After a day, Orca clearly wanted
out of his enclosure so Monty shifted him to a holding pen. Next morning Orca
had let himself out of the holding pen and had had a “hose party.” Pieces of
hose, converted into short “party favors”, lay strewn about. (At some point in the
glees and frivolities a segment must have been moved within reach of Apollo,
Karin and Alyeska. We found it in their enclosure where they had converted it to
many “favors.”) Orca was returned without incident, and gates were reinforced.
The Pillow Pack continues to be a model of peace, tranquility, and splash-tanktipping.
ALYESKA has decided to surprise us all and not only approach, but
actually schmooze with, several of his own sponsors during and around
Members’ Weekend. APOLLO was locked up for that, due to his propensity for
patting people very hard on the head and growling at them. He and KARIN form
quite the happy couple, with lots of parallel-walking and wagging, and lots of
amicable grumbly noises and squeaks. Both have been quite tolerant of Al.
KIRI and SOCRATES enjoyed watching the bridge being put in place. Even the
bison came and watched. Both brothers seem so fascinated by large machinery
that we have joked for years that they would like to learn to drive and then
“borrow” our neighbor’s backhoe for cross country exploration. In addition to
machinery, they enjoyed watching the bison. When one of the cement trucks
got mired and spun its wheels in attempts at extrication, Pseudospike the bison
(who has spikes (horns) but is not the original Spike) started shaking his head
and threatening the equipment. Possibly the mud thrown by the spinning tires
was enough like the dirt tossed by bison bulls as part of their threat displays to
make our top bull think he was being challenged.
CHANI and SIERRA test the waters each cleanup day by wandering a little
closer to the intruding humans, but for now are content to schmooze mostly with
familiar staff members. They gracefully turned 13 this spring. They have gotten
out on several walks and continue to behave adorably, resembling elderly, giggly
aunties, having a great time “out on the town”. They remain each other’s oldest
and dearest friends, and continue to find time to flirt with neighbors Kiri and
Socrates (who would be much too rough on the little girlies for us to ever
consider putting them together).
WILD BILL has continued to look lithe and handsome and not at all like an end
table. We hope to keep his weight low to keep stress off his aging joints. (Bill is
the oldest canine at the Park now
at fifteen years of age.) He joins in
like a trouper on Howl Nights and is
still most willing to “run his siren”
and let others know he is still top
‘yote. He remains genial with
visitors but is still a curious and
investigative ‘yote. He has
expressed occasional interest in
“collectibles”, such as shoestrings
and dangly bits of clothing. (And,
like all our animals, he still wants to
own his very own 35 mm camera.)
Kiri glances over his shoulder. Photo by Monty Sloan

1 0
Every year, some extremely nice people descend on Wolf Park, offering that
most valuable of resources — their time. Volunteers visit for as little as a few
hours a week to every day; practicums spend a month; and interns, the Park’s
most important resource, generously donate three months of their time. In return,
the Park provides them all with an unparalleled opportunity for both research
and fun, as they interact with the Park wolves, give tours, do landscaping
and repair, exhaust the Park library and talk with the staff.
, . 0 . " 1 0
Eric Berthoud, a practicum from
Switzerland, is attending College of
the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, Maine,
majoring in Human Ecology, and has
volunteered at various wildlife parks.
His sister, Daisy Berthoud, was a
practicum at Wolf Park nine years
ago.
Marc Folker, an intern from Illinois,
spent two weeks at Busch Gardens
career camp in ‘99 and is at Wolf
Park further exploring career options
working with animals. He enjoys
music, and owns two rats and two
dogs. Marc holds the Wolf Park Interns Dan Spight and Photo by Monty Sloan
deer-dismembering record time at six Kfir Mendel dig post holes.
minutes, 34 seconds (as of this writing).
Megan Frazer, intern, is in the pre-vet program at Clemson University in South
Carolina. She has four dogs and three cats at home; a horse and fish are with
her at school in SC. She enjoys the performing arts and is also part of
Clemson University’s Rugby Little Sisters Club.
Cynthia Little, intern, is in the pre-vet program at the University of Vermont.
She owns a dog and a gecko, and enjoys playing the guitar (or trying to!). She
is active in environmental politics and animal rights, and has lost count of the
number of letter’s she’s sent to politicians stating her views.
Celina McFadden, intern, is currently attending Paul Smith’s College in New
York, majoring in Fish & Wildlife. She grew up on a farm in Pennsylvania and
has been owned by many pets, including horses, dogs, cats, a ferret, a black
snake, guinea pigs, and many rabbits. She enjoys photography, canoeing,
camping and horseback riding.
Joe Seibert, practicum at large, made another appearance in April and, as
always, left the Park a better place, helping (among other things) with our 30th
Anniversary celebration and taking many hours of video.
Robyn Shope, another Illinois intern, is attending Monmouth College and
majoring in Biology. She volunteers at the Glen Oak Zoo, where she has
cleaned exhibits, prepared diets, and organized the sea lion show. She has
worked with camels, llamas,
sea lions, and zebras, so the
staff at Wolf Park should not
seem too unusual.
Practicum Joe Seibert with Chetan. Photo by Jessica Willard
Kaye Wise, from Kansas, did
a practicum at Wolf Park as
a birthday present to herself.
She has been on the
Speaker’s Bureau at the
International Wolf Center for
the past several years and
also volunteers at a nature
center in Kansas City,
Missouri, where she handles
opossums and snakes.
- . - + / 0
)*+, )
The persons named below have been kind enough to donate something to
WOLF PARK — be it time, computer parts, wolf treats, or, yes, money. We
thank them for their efforts and appreciate all that they have given us.
Nutramax
Marge & Tom Boccio
Brett Bogan
Cindy Broenner
Sharon Butt
Malinda Carlson
Lisa Cavanaugh
Dr. Sam Conway
Catherine Cross
Jack Cross
Susie Davis
Barbara Degroodt
Vesta Demester
Harriet Doolittle
Julie Dyar
Barbara Fisher
Ed Franklin
Susan Freel
Anita Freeman
Mike & Elaine Gawlik
Christina Gillespie
Don Gomes
Ronald Hallam
Melinda Hewlett
Judith Hybl
Trish Jenkins
Chris Johnson
Pliny & Joan Keep
Carrie Kelley
George & Lesya Kercheval
Tristan, aeronautically attired
in goggles.
Brooms, rakes (metal or
plastic)
55 gal heavy duty garbage
bags
Copier paper
Glass cleaner, toilet paper,
paper towels, dish soap
Photo by Monty Sloan
Michael Kreiman
Roger & Kerri Mahrling
Ken McCort
Nadia Mead
L David Mech
Doris Mettier
James Misenheimer
Jo Ann Mullen
Robert Murphy
George Nemeyer
Matt Palguta
Cliffe Pickering
Richard & Wendy Pini
Nick Prentoff
Amanda Russell
Carol Sabo
Madeleine Savary
Diane & Bill Schorr
Joe Seibert
Alexandra Sheldon
Joan Silaco
Teri Sloss
Doug Smith
Tipmont REMC
Jim Turgeon
Peggy Weinberg
David Wilson
Gladys Wright
Glenn Zabec
THANK YOU to all those wonderful
people who contributed art and/or
collectibles to this year’s auction! We
deeply appreciate your support.
Thanks also to Dr. Sam Conway, who
donated his services as a highly
entertaining auctioneer again this
year, and even auctioned off his own
tie!
Thanks to Michael’s Crafts, who
donated free scrap foam core board
for Gale Motter’s endless educational
projects.
Thanks also to Paul Hebert — his web site, www.bayareadog.com, allows people
placing orders to donate 10% of their purchase to Wolf Park! Tristan is seen above
modeling some fashionable “Doggles” dog goggles, available from Bay Area Dog.
If you have some old equipment you aren’t using, consider
donating it to a good cause! Any item you can donate will be
greatly appreciated. For more information, please contact us
at (765) - 567 - 2265.
Stamps — 34 cents and 21
cents
Please DO NOT SEND WOLF
TREATS right now! … Our
wolves are becoming very
round through your
generosity! :)
Wolf Park News Summer 2002 5

6
# , 52
Erin, born in 1998, is beta female in Wolf Park’s main
pack. Erin is a strikingly marked gray female with a
beautiful musical howl. She loves meeting new people.
Other wolves in the main pack: Seneca, Tristan and Chetan (grey
males), Miska (black male), and Marion (grey female).
Support Wolf Park’s mission and activities and get the opportunity to
greet the hand-raised wolves by becoming a wolf sponsor. A privilege of
this program is the chance to meet a wolf first hand. The personal bond
between a real live wolf and her/his sponsors forms a bridge of concern
for wolves in the wild, for which our wolves are ambassadors. On behalf
of the wolves in the wild and in captivity, we appreciate your continued
support through our various levels of membership, including the Adopt-
A-Wolf program.
* ' *& &' ' "
& )' /01%!! 2 &' /3!%!!
/1!%!!
. + , '- / 31%!!
Single membership includes free admission for one to the Park for one
year, a 10% discount on books in the gift shop, invitations to membersonly
events, and our quarterly newsletter Wolf Park News.
Family memberships include all of the above plus free admission for
up to 8 family members per visit for the year of membership.
Group memberships include free admission to the Park for up to 12
members of a group on any one visit. (These can be different members
on each trip!) Includes one copy of newsletter and materials (to share),
and 10% discount on books in the gift shop.
Adopt-A-Wolf includes family membership, plus a personalized
Leader of the Pack Certificate with a photo of “your” wolf and signed by
the director. You will have visiting privileges and contact with your wolf
during your sponsorship in most circumstances. If your wolf is
aggressive or shy, or for some reason we do not believe a visit would be a
positive experience for you or your wolf, another will stand as proxy.
You must be 18 or older to meet a wolf. You will receive a life history of
your wolf, quarterly updates and photos. After the spring shedding
season you will receive a sample of wool from your wolf.
Only the Adopt-A-Wolf program includes the opportunity to meet a wolf.
Name: ______________________________________________
Address: ____________________________________________
City: ________________________________________________
State: _________ Zip: _____________ Phone: ____________
My check for $_____________________ is enclosed or
Please make checks payable to: NAWPF or WOLF PARK
You may charge my: MASTERCARD VISA CARD
Account # ______________________ Expiration Date __________
Sign here: _________________________________________________
Your signature is required for MC and VISA charges.
- $* . + , '- *& 4 ' -&'' & ' ("
I plan to contribute my Adopt-A-Wolf gift in:
' )&-+ - / 31%!! 3 & + '' + - / %01
Quarterly payments are also accepted via automatic withdrawal on Mastercard or Visa
I would like to adopt _______________________________________
If you have no preference, a wolf will be selected for you.
55 # # 2 6 # # 7 5 %
WOLF PARK, Battle Ground IN 47920 (765) 567-2265
Wolf Park News Summer 2002
- ! " by Pat Goodmann
After the breeding season was over we human observers were tired of
seeing aggression between the wolves and looked forward to the postbreeding
season change in hormonal profiles. One of the early indicators
was the increase in tolerance or active friendliness between wolves like
Seneca and Tristan, who usually have a pretty good relationship outside the
breeding season, but occasionally tangle in January and February. On the
morning of March 21 st, Seneca and Tris held a “play bout” lasting about
eleven minutes. They wrestled a lot, including Seneca sitting or lying on
Tristan, holding him down and giving him moderately gentle pinches.
(Moderately gentle as evidenced by the absence of yelping from Tristan.) Nor
was Tristan idle while he was being used as furniture and pinched — he
squirmed, kicked and attempted, though not very hard, to roll free, all without
arousing Seneca’s ire.
Miska stood beside them without joining in and Chetan, again the lowest
ranking male, hung around about a hundred feet away, too inhibited to come
close. A little later, after Miska lay down to rest, Chetan approached Tristan
and Seneca, who were still wrestling. He watched without joining in while
Tristan and Seneca broke apart and Tristan rolled from side to side waving
his jaws. Then the two wrestled again, and again Seneca pinned and
pinched Tris but without causing him obvious discomfort. Tris got up and they
walked side by side jostling each other. Seneca then performed the wolf
equivalent of “stage business” with an object and when Tristan came back,
Chetan showed that he was not too squelched to “help” Seneca grab Tris by
his scruff. This time they didn’t pin Tris, they just held on. Chetan was able
to leave without harassment and even when Marion wandered over the
interaction stayed relaxed and friendly.
Marion herself was cause for some concern as she was still aggressive to
Erin, although the intensity waned and she did not spend as much time
“micromanaging” Erin. After Maya’s death (see box at right), Erin spent a lot
of time on the peninsula and I heard her howling repeatedly. While we cannot
ask Erin what she feels now that Maya is no longer there, I think she misses
Maya in some sense. The two sisters were in each other’s metaphorical
pockets so much of the time. They probably had more access and friendly
social interactions with each other than with any other single wolf in the pack.
While they were not always friendly to each other, they usually got along well,
and even licked each other’s wounds. I have been watching to see if Erin
seeks out the males more now that Maya is dead, and if she can moderate
her behavior so that they are more likely to tolerate her approaching and
greeting them. So far I have seen single instances in which she did seem be
inhibiting her usual excited exuberance to the point that the males tolerated
her better, but it is too soon to tell if this is a real trend or just an brief
clustering of events.
Last year Marion was nicer to both Maya and Erin in April and May and
then started tolerating them less and less. While we were able to shape her
behavior to the point that she will sit-stay at the fence, nose poked through
the mesh, waiting for the tangible reward of a food treat even if Erin is there,
she is not noticeably more tolerant of Erin in wolf to wolf social situations. I
have seen and taped a few instances of Marion, Tristan and Erin “playing
Tristan actively submits to Seneca..
Photo by Monty Sloan

Pat, Andrew, Gale and Jessica practice “shovel diplomacy” with Marion. Photo by Monty Sloan
nicely” together. In the longest of these bouts, Marion’s hackles stay down
admirably. I think that one reason Marion and Erin got along so well on that
occasion was because the two girls did very little to each other. Mostly they
did things to Tristan: roll on him, sit on him (he is big enough for both of them
to sit on him at once) and tweak him, then let him up, pin him, and do it all
over again. They could both be doing things to him at the same time without
showing hostility to each other. I have also seen Erin pick up objects, such as
a bone or piece of hide, and offer them to other wolves. She will sometimes
shake or wave them in front of a threatening Marion as if trying to induce a
mood shift and get Marion to “play” instead of threaten.
As the trees and bushes slowly leaf out in this long, cold spring, Erin has
been scanning the enclosure anxiously. It is no longer a simple thing for
Marion to sit on the dam, or on the line of pines on the east side of the
enclosure, and see everything Erin does, but neither is it easy for Erin to tell
where Marion is and whether she is watching. When we are in the enclosure
we will watch for Marion and give Erin a chance to do things like ask for whole
body massages, chase bubbles, and have treats. If Marion is coming we
woof to warn Erin or call Marion’s name (which Erin associates with Marion)
in an attempt to lure her to us instead of letting her focus on Erin. We do the
same sort of thing for Miska and Chetan when we are in the enclosure. This
has to be done carefully because human intervention like this can backfire
(from a human point of view). The wolves we are trying to protect may try to
use us as “back up” while they assert themselves at a wolf who has been
intimidating them. This can backfire on the wolf badly when the humans
leave.
“Tong diplomacy” has been superceded by the Shovel Twirling and
Marching Society. Thanks to a couple of days when Marion was a) very very
hungry and b) we could not find any fresh scats, she decided that biting into
poop and trying to shove it aside to loot and pillage the wheelbarrow was a
viable option. So we obtained shovels (large, imposing objects) and, without
paying Marion particular attention except to briefly greet her in friendly tones,
we worked on twirling the shovels in synchrony while marching beside, in
front of, and behind the wheelbarrow. The presence of these strange objects
was enough to make Marion think twice. Marion backed off and walked
parallel to us at a distance. She lay down and submitted. She got the deer.
To date we have been able to fade the cue, by making the twirling less
spectacular and dropping some of the other Synchronized Shovel Movements
from our repertoire, but it looks as if we will continue to report from time to
time on the progress in teaching Marion that all things are not necessarily
hers.
Members’ Weekend (see the cover story) was quite an event for the
wolves as well as the humans. After watching the construction of the bridge
supports, and being fascinated by watching the bridge moved into place, they
had to get used to seeing people cross the bridge. Erin found the first
sizeable group to cross the bridge to be rather alarming and she swam over
to the western front. Over at East Lake, Chani and Sierra, and Orca, who
were most alarmed at the big crowd crossing the bridge after the ribbon
cutting ceremony, no longer act fearful. Socrates and Kiri, who often occupy
one of the back enclosures along the loop trail, seem to find the increased
opportunities for human watching mildly entertaining. We usually call the trail
the Loop Trail because it now makes a loop but we also call it the Loup Trail
because it allows better viewing of the loups.
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- 2. 34456- 7. 8998
Maya died suddenly and wholly unexpectedly around the middle of the
day on March 6 th. At mid morning that day Monty Sloan and Gale Motter
were in with the pack doing a program. Marion, for some reason, decided
not to come over so Maya got lots of cuddles and tummy rubs. Neither
Gale nor Monty noticed anything amiss — she appeared completely normal.
At about 1:00 pm, Peggy Marsico went up to the observation deck
and looked out the window at the wolves. Maya was lying on her side
with her tongue hanging out, unresponsive as Erin stood beside her and
tugged on the side of her neck. Erin appeared to be trying to get a response
from Maya. Peggy hurried for help but Maya was already gone.
She had no external wounds but it did
appear that she had bitten her tongue
hard enough to make it bleed. Amanda
and Monty and Peggy all thought it
looked as if Maya had a sudden seizure.
Though Erin grabbed at Maya’s tail when
Monty picked up her body, it was not
done in an aggressive way — it is com-
mon for a wolf picked up by Monty to
have its tail tweaked in a playful way by
other wolves present, and that was what Erin appeared to be doing.
Marion was also present and Amanda commented on her complete lack
of aggression, saying that Marion seemed confused.
Maya’s body was taken to the Animal Disease and Diagnostic Laboratory
at Purdue for a postmortem. To date we have received word back
that she was not suffering from any of the usual canine viruses. We are
still awaiting the outcome of some other tests. Our vet, Dr. Dave, and I
strongly suspect that Maya suffered a severe neurological incident. Recalling
the intense seizures she suffered when she was five to seven
months old, I believe we were lucky to have her for as long as we did.
Maya was a very special little wolf, overcoming many obstacles in the
course of her short life. I will always treasure memories of her buoyant,
joyous personality. She was a social, friendly and beautiful wolf who was
always ready to interact, both with humans and with other wolves, and
always had a smile handy. She loved to bounce. Her “boing” and her
“ottering” play run made it into the Wolf Ethogram, and her hobby of
“dancing with humans” has forever earned her a place in staff slang.
Despite her setbacks as a pup, Maya was able to remain in the pack,
interacted with other wolves and mated each year after she became
sexually mature. She was feeling well and showed reasonably good to
effervescently goofy good spirits in her last winter, despite Marion.
Maya was one of those individuals whose talent seems to lie in being
able to enjoy what they have to the fullest, without pining over what they
do not have. She made a great deal of her short life in spite of the restrictions
imposed by Marion. By the accounts of Gale and Monty, Maya had
a very nice last morning. I am going to concentrate on that rather than
dwelling on futile “if onlys.”
Maya.
Maya with Erin.
Photo by Monty Sloan
Photo by Monty Sloan
Wolf Park News Summer 2002 7

A Non-profit
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What big teeth you have!
What is this wolf doing?
This young male wolf is
not howling (wolves
rarely open their mouths
very wide to howl). He is
displaying his impressive
teeth (and a very long
tongue) in a goofylooking
yawn.
Wolves may yawn to
“defuse” aggressive
interactions — it is a
calming gesture — or
simply because they are
tired (of being
photographed?).
Check out more wolf facts
at www.wolfpark.org!
WOLF PARK NEWS is published by the North American Wildlife Park Foundation, Inc. © 2001, all rights reserved. All correspondence should be
addressed to : WOLF PARK NEWS, WOLF PARK, Battle Ground, IN 47920. (765) 567-2265 Website: www.wolfpark.org
The opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of NAWPF, but are those of the individual authors.
Printed on recycled paper.
WOLF PARK / NAWPF
Battle Ground, IN 47920 USA
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
DATED MATERIAL
,
:
Wolf Park is a unique research
and education facility located just
outside Battle Ground, Indiana.
Its hand-raised wolves, foxes
and coyote and its herd of more
than a dozen American bison
give visitors opportunities
available nowhere else:
WATCH THE HUNT
View effective antipredator
behavior by bison in the wolfbison
demonstration each
Sunday at 1:00 pm, May-
November.
HOWL WITH THE PACK
Hear wolves howl from less than
10 feet away during Howl Nights,
Friday May-November, Saturday
year-round, at 7:30 pm.
MEET A WOLF
Meet a wolf, fox or coyote faceto-face
via our Adopt-A-Wolf
program. (See page 7 for more
details!)
Wolf Park also features guided tours, educational
programs, talks on behavior and communication,
"fox talks", WOLF! Magazine, wolf behavior
seminars, videos, slideshows, kids' activities and
volunteer programs, a gift shop, and much more.
Check out our web site, www.wolfpark.org, for
more information!
Join the pack -- become a member of Wolf Park
and get up close and personal with one of the
world’s most misunderstood predators!
Directions to Wolf Park:
To reach WOLF PARK from Interstate 65, take the exit for Indiana State Road
43 North (Brookston, West Lafayette Exit # 178). Go north on 43 a mile to
State Road 225. Turn right (east) and go about 2 miles directly into Battle
Ground. Drive straight through town, cross the railroad tracks and stay to the
left. Drive one long block to Jefferson St. and turn left. Follow Jefferson St.
about 1 1/2 miles until you come to a large sign on your right for WOLF PARK.
We are just 1/4 mile up the gravel drive.
A protective mama bison stands by one of this spring’s
four new calves. She’ll have no trouble defending her
offspring in our wolf/bison demonstrations.
Editor in Chief: Erich Klinghammer, Ph.D., Director Editor: Jessica Willard Photographer: Monty Sloan
NAWPF is a 501 (c)3 Non-Profit Organization.
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