WORDS FOR WILDLIFE ARTICLE #19

Five of six wolf cubs waiting for a snack at the Witter Wildlife Refuge.

Photo by Author

Words For Wildlife
by State licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator, James Orr

RAISING WOLF CUBS

Caring for six 20 pound wolf cubs can be quite invigorating. They are only 10 weeks old but already run as a pack. At times it seems they are six bodies with one mind.

They typically make their first house assault around 4:30 AM. They are small enough they can squeeze through the wolf compound fencing and smart enough to use the doggie door on the house. After a mad dash around the house and making sure all the residents are awake they leave as quickly as they appeared with their bounty of slippers, TV tuners, and pretty much anything they can carry. I buy my slippers at the dollar store two for a dollar to try to keep ahead of the thievery.

Whenever the Cubs are out of the pen, the adult wolves keep a very close eye on them. There is always at least one adult wolf watching them at all times and generally several. Bubba the Alpha male of the pack will call the Cubs back home if they start to stray too far. It is hilarious to see a pack of mini-me wolves running through the woods back to the compound.

I was surprised to see all six cubs show up soaking wet and covered with mud. They rarely wander more than 50 feet from the wolf pen and the nearest pond is a good 1/4 mile down the drive. About the time I was trying to figure out what would cause the whole group to wander so far I saw “Bear” a one year old pet wolf and professional trouble maker bringing up the rear. He too was soaking wet. It was obvious Uncle Bear had taken the cubs to the beach and was making sure they all got home OK. He repeated the field trip again today. You ever try to dry 6 wild and crazy wolf cubs?

Bear treats the cubs like squeaky toys. He loves to pin them to the ground with his mouth until they start to squeal. He does this all day long establishing his position as a superior to them. In the wolf pen Bear is one of the lowest ranking wolves as a juvenile himself so he relishes the power and status out of the pen as the largest “Top Dog”. About the time I find myself getting ready to intervene and tell him to quit bullying the little ones he will stop and groom them or lick their face.

The Alpha cub “Ky” is a character himself. He will squeal a surrender like a Banshee and the second Bear releases him he jumps on Bear’s head and grabs an ear. Ky knows no fear. Even Bubba, the adult Alpha male, supreme leader of all the wolves has trouble getting respect from little Ky who will walk right up to Bubba’s dish and help himself to dinner WHILE BUBBA IS EATING!. This would be a virtual death sentence if any other wolf tried it . Bubba seems more shocked than mad when he growls ferociously at Ky. Every wolf in the pen takes cover when Bubba growls but Ky just glances up and keeps on eating. It took a swat of Bubba’s giant paw to teach him table manners but even then Ky yapped back at Bubba. Ky knows no fear.

Every morning I have to give two of my house dogs pills. I stick them in a piece of hot dog to make them more enticing. The wolf cubs seemed very interested in the morning ritual so I got the bright idea to introduce them to the all-American meat. The first time I tried to hand them a meaty morsel I was rewarded with a piranha like attack that left me with tiny holes in my fingers. Using my superior intelligence I decided to try holding a hot dog from the far end to take advantage of the 6 inches of space between me and the razor sharp teeth, The first cub took the hot dog and swallowed it whole like a pelican with a fish, The other five went for my empty fingers in a frenzy, Plan three was to sit in a chair and toss little pieces onto the floor and watch the fury of one of Natures most efficient hunters devour the hapless snack. You can imagine the sheer terror when one piece fell in my lap! “I know fear” I leaped from the chair and barely survived but my pants need to be patched as Ky succeeded in swinging between my legs from the fabric.

I have since taught most of the cubs to sit and wait for their turn but I have never fed them from a chair again.

All of the cubs have been placed at rescue centers with other wolves and will be able to live out their lives in the company of wolves. I continue to care for the 6 adult and two juvenile wolves that are permanent residents at The Witter Wildlife Refuge.

THE LAW AND WOLVES
In Arkansas it is against the law to breed wild wolves (any wild animal for that matter) without a license and or permit from the Fish and Game Commission. Wolves are not allowed as pets or inside city limits in many places

DONATIONS NEEDED If you would like to help any donation amount it is greatly appreciated. Donations should be made out to Witter Wildlife Refuge and can be sent to P.O. Box 1118, Huntsville AR 72740.

See web page under "HOW YOU CAN HELP" for specific ways you can help us help wildlife