Early Tuesday morning, Wolf Conservation Center (WCC) staff and volunteers began the second of several “health exam capture days” scheduled this month. We gathered equipped with all the tools necessary to best prepare our team to meet the challenge of catching seven extra elusive lobos: clipboards, vaccinations, thermometers, a scale, and leftover Halloween candy to keep us energized.

In order to administer vaccinations, take blood, and weigh each wolf, we calmly herd the wolves through their spacious enclosure and into capture boxes – wooden doghouse-like structures with removable roofs. Once a wolf is captured in the box, the WCC’s generous volunteer veterinarian proceeds with the exam. The actual checkup takes only minutes, the real challenge is capturing the frightened wolves. In past annual exams, capturing thirteen-year-old F613 and her six four-year-old offspring hasn’t been as easy as we would like. But on Tuesday, to the relief of Pound Ridge Veterinary Center’s Dr Renee Bayha who is quite experienced working with this robust pack, all seven wolves ran into their boxes without a hitch. All the wolves looked in tip top shape and Mama wolf F613 looked absolutely amazing. I guess managing rowdy four-year-olds can keep a gal spry! Big thanks to Dr Renee Bayha for again volunteering her time, expertise, and labor this morning and to Mexican wolf F613 for taking great care of her family.