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Congratulations
on your adoption of MacKenzie, the 6-year-old
alpha female of the International Wolf Center's
resident wolf pack. Along with Lakota and Lucas,
her sister and brother, MacKenzie is a wolf
ambassador. Watching the pack, our guests see
wolf behaviors that they'll never have a chance
to view in the wild.
MacKenzie
is the smallest member of the pack, although she
is quite large when compared to her wild wolf
relatives. In September 1998 she underwent a
full medical exam and weighed in at 93.5 pounds.
Adult female wolves in Minnesota average 60 to
80 pounds. Of course, this pack has an easier
life than its wild counterparts. Lakota,
MacKenzie and Lucas are fed road-killed deer,
receive veterinary care and don't have to hunt
or protect their territory from other wolves.
Her
black coat and striking yellow eyes make
MacKenzie distinctive. The color of a wolf's
pelt is called a "phase." The word has
a different meaning from the way we usually use
it to mean a changing stage, like the phase of
the moon. In this case, "phase" means
the color of an animal's skin, fur or plumage.
MacKenzie belongs to the gray wolf species, even
though she exhibits the black phase or coat.
MacKenzie
is a relaxed alpha female who is not overly
aggressive, but does exert her dominance when
she needs to remind her scampish sister Lakota
who's boss. A hard stare, growl or a bite to
communicate the alpha's intention. Sometimes she
jumps on Lakota and rolls her over into a
submissive position. Lakota has been pushing
harder to move up in rank since Kiana, the
former beta female, died at the end of 1998.
MacKenzie is keeping a close eye on her sassy
sister.
Of
the three wolves, MacKenzie is the most shy
around new people, sights and sounds. When a new
human visitor approaches the gate MacKenzie
watches cautiously from the tree line. She is
less aggressive around food than her siblings,
and often waits to eat until Lakota and Lucas
had their fill.
MacKenzie
and Lucas have pair bonded in adulthood, even
though the wolves have been neutered and spayed
and cannot produce pups. Since Kiana's death,
Lucas has run shoulder with Mac and Lakota,
seeming to be equal companions to both females,
The three often play chase, MacKenzie partially
hiding behind a tree or rock to jump out when
Lucas runs by. The three tussle in a mob scene
of pounces, growls and flashing teeth. MacKenzie
pins Lakota. Lucas pulls her down the hill by
her tail. Then they're up again and running
through the woods.
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