Anyone have experience with a purebred wolf?

hanninadina · 02-01-2011, 16:35

Happy New Year to you all!!!

Family Eichhorn, thank you very much, that you always think at me. I must made a big impression in your life, that you can not live without me. Reading by the way two threads and in both two, between the lines I am mentioned. Thanks for keeping me alive, hahaha!

Luna´s Mom, please do not be angry, but it seems indeed that you do not know a lot about wolves... Otherwise you would have seen immediately that the breeder you did link is a dreamer. These animals are dogs, maybe low contents but never ever pure wolves. Please read these two links (in the first link, Jimmy put another link to his own experiences) and think about if you could manage these experiences. And of course never have a wolf alone, he or she always needs a partner!

About winter wolf syndrom/seasonale aggression

http://www.wolfdogforum.com/forum/vi...&t=101&start=0

and aboout the same theme please scroll down to 6th of july 2008, but 7th of nov 2008 is interesting too.

http://awolfadventure.blogspot.com/

Don´t you live in Florida, when I do remember right, Luna´s mom? You are allowed to have wolfdogs F 1 75 % max.

Here are the laws in for the USA: http://www.hybridlaw.com/

Have a nice year

Christian

Gypsy Wolf · 02-01-2011, 21:48

I have studied them in the wild - Brrrr! Very cold environments. Don't worry, this is NOT, I repeat, NOT something I am planning to do in the near future, nor would I collect a wolf into my environment without properly preparing for the best, most enriched, life able to be provided.
Actually, I would much prefer a coyote to study (I have done that in the wild, too), all things considered.
My desire to keep, interact with and study a real wolf in a captive environment is to try to see how and where the wild behaviors were either suppressed or exploited due to human intervention. I am not interested in keeping an animal for my own personal pleasure, but more for personal study - the desire to see what the "base" animal of our domesticated dog is really like - that's why I am NOT interested in any hybrid. I want to see the intelligence, reasoning capabilty, natural aptitudes really are in our dogs' ancestor.
THis is not something I would take on lightly - and at this stage of my life, I do not have to room to be able to take on a wolf properly (my interest in this subject has been a part of my life since I studied them in the wild in 1992).
I am glad my comments brought about such discussion - my first step will likely be to volunteer at a wolf refuge at some point, before I decide to actually take on one for myself.
Where I live now, we recently found coyotes have extended their southern range to Coral Springs, FL - so I am actually considering finding the den and studying them here in their new natural environment - suburban/urban communities. The city of Chicago even employs them as ratters in the downtown area, and as I said before, I am more attracted to them as a species of interest as they are so incredibly intelligent and adaptable....

hanninadina · 02-01-2011, 22:43

A coyote is not a wolf!!!!

A wolf in capitivity is not a wolf in the wild!!!

A "hybrid" is not so much different to a wolf or what do you think is a F 1 90 %? It is always a matter of genes. I know F 2 which are like dogs and I know F 4 who are like wolf. So laws are funny because they have nothing in common with genes. Modern scientific did not make their "pawz" in actual laws. So they are werth nothing!

Have fun.

Christian

saschia · 02-01-2011, 23:59

Lunas Mom, but today's wolves are not ancestors of dogs. They evolved from the same ancestors, under the influence of their respective habitats, which included men, for the wolves usually as competitors or even as hunters. And todays populations of wolves are mostly small scraps that remained after centuries-long pressure of men trying to completely abolish them. Last couple of centuries, the selection on wolves was very hard, especially on their behavior.

hanninadina · 03-01-2011, 00:12

What are you talking about Saschia? In italy for example are about 1.000 wolves and about 1.000.000 wild living dogs. Some of the wolves mixe together with some dogs and these hybrids live in the villages and with people! And some of them recrosses with wolves again. That is one reason why in italy live about 250 black wolves. You know this research from 2008 that the black color in wolves come from dogs?

In spain is the same, in greece, slovenia and bulgary.

That is nature!!!!

saschia · 03-01-2011, 01:04

And? Do you want to say that those wolves are the same as there were before dogs were domesticated?

The black color in wolves is from dogs - also in North Americas. The change is very old and probably origined independently a couple of times. So you actually cannot say that it did not originate in wolves too, but that was not the meaning of my previous post. The meaning was that you will never get to know the behavior of dog's ancestor from the behavior of recent, captured wolves. Not that is not a valid interest, but my opinion is, if someone wants to study wolves or coyotes in capture, one should be a part of a project, and not torment one wolf (or even a couple) by conditions a single human being is able to provide. There are too many wolves living in enclosures to add to that number.

Gypsy Wolf · 03-01-2011, 23:20

Yes, coyotes are not wolves. I was mentioning that I like coyotes and am interested in studying them.
And genetics tell us that today's domestic dogs ARE descended from wolves - they are basically genetically-manipulated, neo-natized Eurasian wolves. In fact, there is no genetic way to distinguish wolves and dogs, which is why their scientific classification is now CANIS LUPUS FAMILIARIS.
Also WRONG that there is "no difference" between a hybrid (any content) and a pure wolf. Because we do not know the EXACT modes of inheritance for genetics, if it has "dog" genetics - however small - it is not necessarily going to be just like a "pure" wolf. I am not interested in dealing with dog genetics when it comes to studying behavior.
And for those interested in furthering their understanding of genetic manipulation... look up the Balyeav fox experiments.... wild foxes raised for their fur and in just a couple of generations where the breeder selected for "tameness" and suddenly they were being born with patchy fur, curled tails and droopy ears - all WILD fox genetics - but nothing like the original foxes trapped in the wild for the experiment. Part of why I want to study the "original" material.
I find it interesting how polarizing this discussion is for people - it shows a passionate love of the species. That is also a large part of why I am interested in studying them. Interesting that I do not see anyone here protesting the other people who study the species... and we have learned a great deal recently from several captive wolf studies (I believe it was a German or Swiss University conducting the behavioral studies) regarding their problem-solving abilities, etc. My interest is in furthering knowledge in just that venue, so that we not only learn more out Canis lupus lupus but also canis lupus familiaris...

michaelundinaeichhorn · 03-01-2011, 09:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lunas Mom

nor would I collect a wolf into my environment without properly preparing for the best, most enriched, life able to be provided.

The problem stays the same: One wolf, what life would be able to be provided. I don´t expect land in Florida and even more important fences much cheaper than in Germany. The costs for the wolf enclosure here have been around 200 000 $, as far as I remember only the fence.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lunas Mom

My desire to keep, interact with and study a real wolf in a captive environment is to try to see how and where the wild behaviors were either suppressed or exploited due to human intervention. I am not interested in keeping an animal for my own personal pleasure, but more for personal study - the desire to see what the "base" animal of our domesticated dog is really like - that's why I am NOT interested in any hybrid. I want to see the intelligence, reasoning capabilty, natural aptitudes really are in our dogs' ancestor.
.

But this research has already been done in the past and is going on at the moment. In your country one of the names is Ray Coppinger, though he is more in dogs but they do this studies at his institute and they also did those studies on Coyotes.
So if you want to do all this again with one wolf it is for your own pleasure and nothing else.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lunas Mom

I am glad my comments brought about such discussion - my first step will likely be to volunteer at a wolf refuge at some point, before I decide to actually take on one for myself.

As far as I can oversee the situation this is the best way to go in your country as there are a lot of private raised wolves in refuges or shelters.
Better to study them there or get two of one of those places than buying one from a so called breeder.

And as Sashia already wrote you will still not see the original type of wolf from over at least 15 000 years ago.

Ina

cindy23323 · 04-01-2011, 14:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by hanninadina

Don´t you live in Florida, when I do remember right, Luna´s mom? You are allowed to have wolfdogs F 1 75 % max.

Here are the laws in for the USA: http://www.hybridlaw.com/

Have a nice year

Christian

That site is not up to date Christian, the laws in Flor. changed last year (2010) this is now what the law states for Florida.

"Hybrids resulting
from the cross between wildlife and domestic animal, which are substantially
similar in size, characteristics and behavior so as to be indistinguishable
from the wild animal shall be regulated as wildlife at the higher and more
restricted class of the wild parent."

Gypsy Wolf · 04-01-2011, 19:08

Yes, I live in FL, and as I stated before, I would have to change my living situation in order to accomodate a wolf. If I stayed in FL, I would need a wildlife possession permit, but again, this is something further out in the future.
I disagree completely regarding your opinion that I wouldn't learn anything applicable if only interacting with one wolf. My study parameters are ethological, not traditional laboratory parameters. Many ethologists have made breakthrough studies utilizing interactions with only one or a few members of a species - one that comes to mind instantly is Alex the African Grey parrot and Irene Pepperberg - a bird that she purchased at a pet store and has now changed the idea of learning and cognition - in both birds, and in some cases her studies have been applied to early learning in children. It often takes someone with their own convictions to go ahead and just do it - rather than listen to the naysayers who end up actually benefitting from such maverick studies.
I would urge people unfamiliar with studies such as these to perhaps investigate them before passing judgment on a subject they know nothing about. If it weren't for the Pepperberg, Fossey, et al, studies - people who likely got the same (if not more) flak about their studies than I am on this topic - we would not have their enlightening and groundbreaking knowledge and the world would be a little less bright...

yukidomari · 04-01-2011, 19:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lunas Mom

I would urge people unfamiliar with studies such as these to perhaps investigate them before passing judgment on a subject they know nothing about. If it weren't for the Pepperberg, Fossey, et al, studies - people who likely got the same (if not more) flak about their studies than I am on this topic - we would not have their enlightening and groundbreaking knowledge and the world would be a little less bright...

I am familiar with Pepperberg's work with her African Grey.

It seems that your mind is made up anyway, so it really doesn't make sense to point out huge differences in approach when you try to compare yourself to Fossey or Pepperberg, though..

Gypsy Wolf · 04-01-2011, 19:34

I am no Pepperberg or Fossey, my point is simply that there are people making judgments without understanding ethology studies or the parameters of said study.
It seems much of the judgment is coming from a personal and emotional views - and everyone is welcome to their opinions, of course. Much of the science we rely on today was conducted against popular views... sheesh, if it weren't for maverick scientists, we would likely still be thinking frogs spontaneously erupted out of mud in the spring and that our humors needed to be balance in order to eradicate disease.
My actual intent in starting this thread was to gather information from anyone on this board who had/has experience with pure wolves. I was looking for information on their experiences and interactions with the species - in whatever environment - whether captive or wild, so that I could begin to gather information for my future behavioral studies.
My mind is not made up regarding acquiring a wolf in the future - it may end up being too big a commitment - that remains to be seen...

michaelundinaeichhorn · 04-01-2011, 20:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lunas Mom

My actual intent in starting this thread was to gather information from anyone on this board who had/has experience with pure wolves. I was looking for information on their experiences and interactions with the species - in whatever environment - whether captive or wild, so that I could begin to gather information for my future behavioral studies.
My mind is not made up regarding acquiring a wolf in the future - it may end up being too big a commitment - that remains to be seen...

As I wrote before do we have experiences with pure wolves and we additional know a lot of those people doing the studies you are interested in personally, some of them became friends. And this too was the reason for our reactions, inclusive the advice considering your own safety. We also know the scientific work of those people and their opinion considering how it should be done correctly. There is also still actual research going on in several places on this matter on captive wolves. None of them is keeping only one and none would see this as necessary or right, seen from ethical points of view. As you can be a proper social partner for a dog but never a proper social partner for a wolf, no matter how good the environment is.

I also did understand your first question as where to get a wolf from and obviously I wasn´t the only one.

Ina

buidelwolf · 04-01-2011, 20:30

Happy new year to everybody!

Lunas Mom, I've read all this topic again and I still get a strong feeling that you want to keep a real wolf, purely to fulfill a personal naive dream, legitimized by the artificially-made magic words: “ethologist” and “study purposes”. I find it bizarre that you're referring to a marginal site, where a lot of nonsense and fairytales are sold and where the animals shown, just being mixes. I see no wolf. If you have studied wolves and coyotes, one may expect a greater knowledge. As you may encounter unexpected criticism, the more you emphasize the educational aspect, this under the cloak of a proclaimed status of “ethologist”.

This all reminds me to an old topic: Looking for a nice Male CsV pup to import (roughly translated into: "where can I get a CsV as soon as possible"?), in which you were looking for a CsV as soon as possible for a friend who apparently barely knew the race. Despite various advices to better orient herself and not to act impulsively, the import followed two weeks later! I see similarities regarding the compulsive aspect herein in full. Aside: how's Pollux? Is he still at your girlfriends place or is he now under your care given the fact that you've mentioned it in your "about me section"? I see at your site that he's for sale. Was your girlfriend tired of him so fast?

I'm also very attracted to wolves and the part which is still in our CsV's. I can understand your dream somewhere but you should conclude that it is madness. Luna’s Mom, leave this egocentric idea I would say. It will become a drama and at the end, the animal will be the victim.

Robbert

saschia · 04-01-2011, 19:43

I don't mean to give you flak as you named it, and actually I know that YOU would benefit hugely from the study of even single wolf, even we might. My concern is about the wolf, if the cost/benefit is worth it. And by cost I mean the difference of the life of that wolf with you versus in a shelter/refugee/whatever else.

Gypsy Wolf · 04-01-2011, 20:01

I agree totally about the cost/benefit of the study vs. the quality of life for the wolf. That is one reason I have not gone out and gotten a wolf in the last 18 or so years I have wanted to do so. I want to be 100% sure I can committ totally to the animal and it's needs - for it's entire life.
On a personal level I see no difference between a refuge and any other "captive" situation like a zoo. No, it isn't like being in the wild. On the flipside, as a wildlife rehabber, many higher-intelligence animals, once raised with humans, cannot be successfully released back into the wild, so this animal would have to stay in a captive environment.
As an ethologist, part of my study would be enriching the animal's environment to preserve a happy animal. I do that with all of my own companion animals, too.

saschia · 04-01-2011, 20:05

Well, I would consider life with a pack more interesting than life with a person, for a wolf at least. But I'll leave the counting of costs/benefits up to you, it will be, after all, your responsibility.

02-01-2011, 23:59	#4
saschia Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Bratislava Posts: 936	Lunas Mom, but today's wolves are not ancestors of dogs. They evolved from the same ancestors, under the influence of their respective habitats, which included men, for the wolves usually as competitors or even as hunters. And todays populations of wolves are mostly small scraps that remained after centuries-long pressure of men trying to completely abolish them. Last couple of centuries, the selection on wolves was very hard, especially on their behavior. __________________ Saschia (Sasa Zahradnikova) http://www.chiens-loup-tchecoslovaqu...ei-et-damon.ws

03-01-2011, 01:04	#6
saschia Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Bratislava Posts: 936	And? Do you want to say that those wolves are the same as there were before dogs were domesticated? The black color in wolves is from dogs - also in North Americas. The change is very old and probably origined independently a couple of times. So you actually cannot say that it did not originate in wolves too, but that was not the meaning of my previous post. The meaning was that you will never get to know the behavior of dog's ancestor from the behavior of recent, captured wolves. Not that is not a valid interest, but my opinion is, if someone wants to study wolves or coyotes in capture, one should be a part of a project, and not torment one wolf (or even a couple) by conditions a single human being is able to provide. There are too many wolves living in enclosures to add to that number. __________________ Saschia (Sasa Zahradnikova) http://www.chiens-loup-tchecoslovaqu...ei-et-damon.ws

04-01-2011, 20:30	#14
buidelwolf senior member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 163	Happy new year to everybody! Lunas Mom, I've read all this topic again and I still get a strong feeling that you want to keep a real wolf, purely to fulfill a personal naive dream, legitimized by the artificially-made magic words: “ethologist” and “study purposes”. I find it bizarre that you're referring to a marginal site, where a lot of nonsense and fairytales are sold and where the animals shown, just being mixes. I see no wolf. If you have studied wolves and coyotes, one may expect a greater knowledge. As you may encounter unexpected criticism, the more you emphasize the educational aspect, this under the cloak of a proclaimed status of “ethologist”. This all reminds me to an old topic: Looking for a nice Male CsV pup to import (roughly translated into: "where can I get a CsV as soon as possible"?), in which you were looking for a CsV as soon as possible for a friend who apparently barely knew the race. Despite various advices to better orient herself and not to act impulsively, the import followed two weeks later! I see similarities regarding the compulsive aspect herein in full. Aside: how's Pollux? Is he still at your girlfriends place or is he now under your care given the fact that you've mentioned it in your "about me section"? I see at your site that he's for sale. Was your girlfriend tired of him so fast? I'm also very attracted to wolves and the part which is still in our CsV's. I can understand your dream somewhere but you should conclude that it is madness. Luna’s Mom, leave this egocentric idea I would say. It will become a drama and at the end, the animal will be the victim. Robbert Last edited by buidelwolf; 05-01-2011 at 16:33.

04-01-2011, 19:43	#15
saschia Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Bratislava Posts: 936	I don't mean to give you flak as you named it, and actually I know that YOU would benefit hugely from the study of even single wolf, even we might. My concern is about the wolf, if the cost/benefit is worth it. And by cost I mean the difference of the life of that wolf with you versus in a shelter/refugee/whatever else. __________________ Saschia (Sasa Zahradnikova) http://www.chiens-loup-tchecoslovaqu...ei-et-damon.ws

04-01-2011, 20:05	#17
saschia Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Bratislava Posts: 936	Well, I would consider life with a pack more interesting than life with a person, for a wolf at least. But I'll leave the counting of costs/benefits up to you, it will be, after all, your responsibility. __________________ Saschia (Sasa Zahradnikova) http://www.chiens-loup-tchecoslovaqu...ei-et-damon.ws

02-01-2011, 16:35	#1
hanninadina Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 2,466	Happy New Year to you all!!! Family Eichhorn, thank you very much, that you always think at me. I must made a big impression in your life, that you can not live without me. Reading by the way two threads and in both two, between the lines I am mentioned. Thanks for keeping me alive, hahaha! Luna´s Mom, please do not be angry, but it seems indeed that you do not know a lot about wolves... Otherwise you would have seen immediately that the breeder you did link is a dreamer. These animals are dogs, maybe low contents but never ever pure wolves. Please read these two links (in the first link, Jimmy put another link to his own experiences) and think about if you could manage these experiences. And of course never have a wolf alone, he or she always needs a partner! About winter wolf syndrom/seasonale aggression http://www.wolfdogforum.com/forum/vi...&t=101&start=0 and aboout the same theme please scroll down to 6th of july 2008, but 7th of nov 2008 is interesting too. http://awolfadventure.blogspot.com/ Don´t you live in Florida, when I do remember right, Luna´s mom? You are allowed to have wolfdogs F 1 75 % max. Here are the laws in for the USA: http://www.hybridlaw.com/ Have a nice year Christian

02-01-2011, 21:48	#2
Gypsy Wolf Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Florida & Minnesota U.S. Posts: 252	I have studied them in the wild - Brrrr! Very cold environments. Don't worry, this is NOT, I repeat, NOT something I am planning to do in the near future, nor would I collect a wolf into my environment without properly preparing for the best, most enriched, life able to be provided. Actually, I would much prefer a coyote to study (I have done that in the wild, too), all things considered. My desire to keep, interact with and study a real wolf in a captive environment is to try to see how and where the wild behaviors were either suppressed or exploited due to human intervention. I am not interested in keeping an animal for my own personal pleasure, but more for personal study - the desire to see what the "base" animal of our domesticated dog is really like - that's why I am NOT interested in any hybrid. I want to see the intelligence, reasoning capabilty, natural aptitudes really are in our dogs' ancestor. THis is not something I would take on lightly - and at this stage of my life, I do not have to room to be able to take on a wolf properly (my interest in this subject has been a part of my life since I studied them in the wild in 1992). I am glad my comments brought about such discussion - my first step will likely be to volunteer at a wolf refuge at some point, before I decide to actually take on one for myself. Where I live now, we recently found coyotes have extended their southern range to Coral Springs, FL - so I am actually considering finding the den and studying them here in their new natural environment - suburban/urban communities. The city of Chicago even employs them as ratters in the downtown area, and as I said before, I am more attracted to them as a species of interest as they are so incredibly intelligent and adaptable....

02-01-2011, 22:43	#3
hanninadina Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 2,466	A coyote is not a wolf!!!! A wolf in capitivity is not a wolf in the wild!!! A "hybrid" is not so much different to a wolf or what do you think is a F 1 90 %? It is always a matter of genes. I know F 2 which are like dogs and I know F 4 who are like wolf. So laws are funny because they have nothing in common with genes. Modern scientific did not make their "pawz" in actual laws. So they are werth nothing! Have fun. Christian

03-01-2011, 00:12	#5
hanninadina Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 2,466	What are you talking about Saschia? In italy for example are about 1.000 wolves and about 1.000.000 wild living dogs. Some of the wolves mixe together with some dogs and these hybrids live in the villages and with people! And some of them recrosses with wolves again. That is one reason why in italy live about 250 black wolves. You know this research from 2008 that the black color in wolves come from dogs? In spain is the same, in greece, slovenia and bulgary. That is nature!!!!

03-01-2011, 23:20	#7
Gypsy Wolf Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Florida & Minnesota U.S. Posts: 252	Yes, coyotes are not wolves. I was mentioning that I like coyotes and am interested in studying them. And genetics tell us that today's domestic dogs ARE descended from wolves - they are basically genetically-manipulated, neo-natized Eurasian wolves. In fact, there is no genetic way to distinguish wolves and dogs, which is why their scientific classification is now CANIS LUPUS FAMILIARIS. Also WRONG that there is "no difference" between a hybrid (any content) and a pure wolf. Because we do not know the EXACT modes of inheritance for genetics, if it has "dog" genetics - however small - it is not necessarily going to be just like a "pure" wolf. I am not interested in dealing with dog genetics when it comes to studying behavior. And for those interested in furthering their understanding of genetic manipulation... look up the Balyeav fox experiments.... wild foxes raised for their fur and in just a couple of generations where the breeder selected for "tameness" and suddenly they were being born with patchy fur, curled tails and droopy ears - all WILD fox genetics - but nothing like the original foxes trapped in the wild for the experiment. Part of why I want to study the "original" material. I find it interesting how polarizing this discussion is for people - it shows a passionate love of the species. That is also a large part of why I am interested in studying them. Interesting that I do not see anyone here protesting the other people who study the species... and we have learned a great deal recently from several captive wolf studies (I believe it was a German or Swiss University conducting the behavioral studies) regarding their problem-solving abilities, etc. My interest is in furthering knowledge in just that venue, so that we not only learn more out Canis lupus lupus but also canis lupus familiaris...

04-01-2011, 19:08	#10
Gypsy Wolf Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Florida & Minnesota U.S. Posts: 252	Yes, I live in FL, and as I stated before, I would have to change my living situation in order to accomodate a wolf. If I stayed in FL, I would need a wildlife possession permit, but again, this is something further out in the future. I disagree completely regarding your opinion that I wouldn't learn anything applicable if only interacting with one wolf. My study parameters are ethological, not traditional laboratory parameters. Many ethologists have made breakthrough studies utilizing interactions with only one or a few members of a species - one that comes to mind instantly is Alex the African Grey parrot and Irene Pepperberg - a bird that she purchased at a pet store and has now changed the idea of learning and cognition - in both birds, and in some cases her studies have been applied to early learning in children. It often takes someone with their own convictions to go ahead and just do it - rather than listen to the naysayers who end up actually benefitting from such maverick studies. I would urge people unfamiliar with studies such as these to perhaps investigate them before passing judgment on a subject they know nothing about. If it weren't for the Pepperberg, Fossey, et al, studies - people who likely got the same (if not more) flak about their studies than I am on this topic - we would not have their enlightening and groundbreaking knowledge and the world would be a little less bright...

04-01-2011, 19:34	#12
Gypsy Wolf Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Florida & Minnesota U.S. Posts: 252	I am no Pepperberg or Fossey, my point is simply that there are people making judgments without understanding ethology studies or the parameters of said study. It seems much of the judgment is coming from a personal and emotional views - and everyone is welcome to their opinions, of course. Much of the science we rely on today was conducted against popular views... sheesh, if it weren't for maverick scientists, we would likely still be thinking frogs spontaneously erupted out of mud in the spring and that our humors needed to be balance in order to eradicate disease. My actual intent in starting this thread was to gather information from anyone on this board who had/has experience with pure wolves. I was looking for information on their experiences and interactions with the species - in whatever environment - whether captive or wild, so that I could begin to gather information for my future behavioral studies. My mind is not made up regarding acquiring a wolf in the future - it may end up being too big a commitment - that remains to be seen...

04-01-2011, 20:01	#16
Gypsy Wolf Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Florida & Minnesota U.S. Posts: 252	I agree totally about the cost/benefit of the study vs. the quality of life for the wolf. That is one reason I have not gone out and gotten a wolf in the last 18 or so years I have wanted to do so. I want to be 100% sure I can committ totally to the animal and it's needs - for it's entire life. On a personal level I see no difference between a refuge and any other "captive" situation like a zoo. No, it isn't like being in the wild. On the flipside, as a wildlife rehabber, many higher-intelligence animals, once raised with humans, cannot be successfully released back into the wild, so this animal would have to stay in a captive environment. As an ethologist, part of my study would be enriching the animal's environment to preserve a happy animal. I do that with all of my own companion animals, too.