WCC Pups Get Vaccinations and Clean Bill of Health

Wolf Conservation Center staff members and local veterinarian, Charlie Duffy VMD of Norwalk Animal Hospital, ventured into the enclosure of Mexican gray wolf pair M566 and F613 at the WCC’s South Salem facility last week to give their 9-week-old pups their first round of vaccinations, check their vitals, and get their weights.

As Curator, Rebecca Bose explained:  “These wolves are bred in captivity as part of the national SSP (Species Survival Plan) program, and could eventually be selected for released into the wild in Arizona and New Mexico.”  The pack arrived from the Cincinnati Zoo last November, and at that time consisted of the mother and father, plus 8 yearling wolves.  With the arrival of the new pups, which, appropriately, were born at the WCC on Earth Day, the wolf population is now close to 30.

"Normally we don't even see the other wolves," said Bose, before leading the team out to the enclosure for the capture and checkup. “With a substantial group of humans entering the enclosure, the adults and yearlings will most likely take off and get as far away from us as possible -- it's all about self-preservation.  The pups, meanwhile, will flee to the nearest shelter.”  When located, several cubs were packed into their den – which is close to 10 feet long and just wide enough for Bose to crawl inside and gently pull them out one by one.  Other pups were captured where they hid in the thickets and brush.

Duffy proclaimed all the pups to be in excellent health, with weight ranges from 8 – 10 pounds, “a nice, healthy weight for a wolf pup at this age,” said Duffy, who has been donating his time to the WCC and its animals for almost 10 years.

“He’s our hero,” said Bose.