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Mixed species with wolves.

Discussion in 'General Zoo Discussion' started by kudu, 22 Apr 2017.

  1. kudu

    kudu New Member

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    What species have been housed with wolves. I know of many bear and wolf exhibits has anyone considered wolves with ungulates?
     
  2. Jurek7

    Jurek7 Well-Known Member 15+ year member

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    Cleveland zoo mixes them with beavers and fish (which inhabit a large pond).
    ZooLex Exhibit
     
  3. elefante

    elefante Well-Known Member 10+ year member

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    Probably not smart to mix them with ungulates since it's their natural prey. That's like mixing lions with zebras.
     
  4. Arizona Docent

    Arizona Docent Well-Known Member 15+ year member

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    I remember reading about an American wolf center years ago. I forget which one, it may have been in Colorado or Washington or ? Anyway they had a bison herd and a wolf pack and they would periodically let them together just to give the wolves the sensation of stalking prey. No bison were actually killed. I have no idea if they still do this or if the facility is still in operation.
     
  5. Zoovolunteer

    Zoovolunteer Well-Known Member 15+ year member

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    I doubt that wolves mixed with any potential prey would be a good idea. I am not sure if it has been done but I can imagine wolves or other predators alternating access to a field with ungulates might be a useful enrichment.
     
  6. MagpieGoose

    MagpieGoose Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    At Woburn, the wolves are mixed with American Black Bears.
    At South Lakes, Maned Wolves are mixed with Tapir
     
  7. lintworm

    lintworm Well-Known Member 15+ year member

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    Maned wolves are no wolves though :p


    Zurich sometimes gives the wolves access to their tiger enclosure for a few hours (when the tigers are not in off course) to give both species some enrichment.

    A relatively common mix in Europe is mixing brown bears with European wolves.
     
  8. elefante

    elefante Well-Known Member 10+ year member

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    This seems risky for both species.
     
  9. elefante

    elefante Well-Known Member 10+ year member

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    This could provide some very good enrichment.
     
  10. Jurek7

    Jurek7 Well-Known Member 15+ year member

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    It would be a good idea to design exhibits so that wolves and bears, or ungulates, can be easily rotated to the same exhibits through some corridor. The main problem I can think of is eventual transmission of parasites.
     
  11. elefante

    elefante Well-Known Member 10+ year member

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    Is this generally an issue?