Tuesday Night at the Alaska Zoo

Aliy was the featured speaker at Family Night at the Alaska Zoo in Anchorage. No SP Kennel dogs were able to attend but most of the attendees as well as Aliy and Allen got their "canine fix" by visiting with the 'Funny River' Wolf pups.

The wolf pups are now 5 weeks old. They were rescued by firefighters from the blaze that engulfed many acres on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. The 5 pups (3 boys and 2 girls) were brought directly to the zoo for care. A Fish & Game Biologist estimated the pups to be 2 1/2 weeks old at rescue and he believed that their mother had been gone for over 2 days. As well, a porcupine had entered the wolf den (most likely to hide from the fire) and had "quilled" a few of the pups. But, the entire litter looks heathy and happy now! They had just eaten a mixture of meat slop and milk formula and came out to a small Viewing Pen so that Zoo visitors could see them. Their favorite toy (played with only under supervision) is a fabric Orca stuffed with recently shed wolf hair.

By SP Kennel estimation, the wolf pups are about twice the size of the kennel's Fire Pups last summer at the same age. This makes sense since the adult wolves at the Alaska Zoo are about twice the size of Olivia and Nacho!

Aliy and Allen were also allowed to get 'behind the scenes' to visit the adult wolf pack as well. Stephanie, the Education Director at the Zoo, raised these wolves from young puppies nearly 8 years ago. The interaction between Stephanie and "her pack" was phenomenal. Every wolf in the pack greeted her differently -- even the Omega male, Ohpir, who through 'pack regulations' wasn't allowed to physically greet her -- sent his respect from afar. The Alpha male, Denali, had the closest bond with her which was evident as she groomed him with her finger nails through the 10 foot perimeter fence.

Nikolai, the Beta male wolf, and Stephanie have an amazing relationship. Note her hand inside the pen resting on his shoulder.

The canine / human bond is truly amazing whether it is a pack of wolves or a pack of sled dogs. The bond is different, yet amazingly intense.

If you find yourself in Anchorage this summer, visit the Alaska Zoo any day of the week. You can see both the adult wolves and the puppies.

John Gomes, the Alaska Zoo photographer, has many excellent photos of the wolves and updates the 'Funny River' wolf pups photo journal quite often. Check them out.