The Lobo family of Common Wolf began living in the new Asian Plains enclosure at Tama Zoo in April 2013. The enclosure is larger and flatter than their previous wolf enclosure, allowing them to run around, chase each other, and generally behave more freely. The ground has changed from rocky to soil with plants growing on it, and they can now be seen gnawing on branches, eating grass, and sometimes chasing grasshoppers and crickets.

We were able to observe good communication between individuals within the group, and just when we thought everything was going smoothly and they had started their new life well, in mid-May, Moro, the alpha female with the highest status in the group, did not return when she was brought in (there is also an alpha male).

When we searched the enclosure, we found him curled up in a ball. We managed to get him back to his room that day, but the inside of his lower jaw was swollen, making it difficult for him to eat. Subsequent examinations revealed that he had osteosarcoma, a condition that was unlikely to be cured. Despite the swelling in his mouth, he had a hearty appetite, so we tried various methods to get him to eat, such as mincing the meat into a liquid state or giving him canned paste. The easiest way for him to eat was to put small pieces of horse meat into his mouth through the fence.

Although her physical strength had declined and it became difficult for her to go out into the enclosure, in order to maintain her status as the alpha female, she was kept in the enclosure during the day to rest and spent the nights with the group inside the enclosure.

We performed surgery to remove the swelling, but the animal died on August 17th. Though this is a very human perspective, I suppose it was a small consolation that it died at night while spending time with the herd, rather than during the day when it was resting alone.

What happens to a herd when it loses one of its alpha individuals? In the wild, there seem to be various outcomes, such as another individual taking on the alpha position or the herd dissolving. As a caretaker, I would like to avoid the herd dissolution due to the constraints of the facility, but that is their decision, and I cannot intervene. All I can do is observe them carefully day by day.

After Moro's death, the alpha male "Robo" seemed lethargic, but he recovered after we increased his food intake and took other measures. Among the other individuals, "Lilo" (female) appears to be in an alpha position, leading the other females. Robo is the alpha male and leads the other males, but perhaps because he is elderly and laid-back, the second-highest ranked beta male "Roy" is running around instead.

The wolf pack had been living peacefully despite occasional skirmishes, but in early October, the male "Nero" suddenly became constantly frightened. He was being attacked by Roy. According to a customer who closely observes the wolves, Roy discovered Nero mounting a female and attacked him fiercely. Normally, only the alpha male can reproduce within a pack, so Nero was likely seen as having broken that rule. However, Roy, a beta male, sometimes mounts other males, but the alpha male Lobo remains indifferent, so there are still some unknowns regarding the relationship between Lobo and Roy.

Nero had been spending time away from the herd, but it seems he is gradually rejoining them. There are various movements, but the group appears to be maintaining its structure.

As the weather gets colder, the wolves become more active, howling more frequently during the day, and you can see a variety of wolf patterns. Please come dressed warmly.

Photo above: Alpha male "Robo"
Photo: Nero spending time away from the herd.
Photo below: Howling of wolves

[Tama Zoo, Tama Zoological Park]

(December 13, 2013)