Shadow Hawk

sex: male
born: 02 May 1998~
birth place: Colorado

deceased: 08 March 2008

given sanctuary: 14 August 2006

 

Shadow Hawks's Memorial
see Newsletter - Spring 2008 (click)

Shadow Hawk's Story

Wolf founder’s had visited a sanctuary near Denver, during the summer of 2006. This facility was in a grave situation and preparing to close their doors. Of the 49 animals in their care, 13 wolves/wolf-dogs were in danger of being euthanized. We wanted to do something to help. Unfortunately, due to our County’s restrictions upon Wolf, we only had room for one. Which would have the least impact on the groupings already established at the failing sanctuary? Which one should we take? The one we accept would become Kiki’s new companion -- which one would earn her seal of approval?

Frank and Pat, cofounders of Wolf, tried to decide what would be best for our girl based on their past visit. After careful con­sideration, Luke was chosen, a male of roughly the same age as Kiki. He was in a grouping of three males and seemed to be the one who was not in sync with the other two when they had visited. We also suspected him to be a relative of Shaman, as the similarities were unmistakable.

We called the sanctuary director and informed him of our desires. Could we pick Luke up on Sunday? No. As it turned out, Luke was the alpha of the pack, and removing him could potentially cause problems with the remaining two males. Would we possibly take Shadow Hawk, the omega, and not disrupt the pack structure? After more careful contemplation, we believed this would work. Steve and Kiley would be there tomorrow afternoon to bring him home.

Sunday morning, August 14th, the air was full of anticipation. Every item imaginable was loaded up in preparation for any situation. The volunteers left very early for the three-hour drive, and arrived without a hitch. The director lead them down to the wolf enclosures to see Shadow Hawk. Unfortunately, the excitement quickly faded as the first glance of the enclosure yielded an unexpected, horrific sight. Luke lay dead at the front while Shadow Hawk and Elvis paced nervously at the back. No one moved or spoke until the shock waned. Luke was then examined, but showed no evidence of injury or disease.

Frank and Pat were soon informed of the situation, and quickly decided that we must have a necropsy performed to determine the cause of death. Luke would be coming back to the Sanctuary, but not as originally planned. There was concern as to what this would mean to both Shadow Hawk and Elvis. With the alpha gone, everything would be in upheaval. It was decided that Elvis could go in with a single female in the next enclosure and Shadow Hawk would make the journey to Wolf.

Steve and Kiley then had to focus on the task at hand. Preparations began to move Shadow Hawk. He would have to be tranquilized and kenneled for the trip to Wolf. A dart was prepared and the volunteers quietly entered the enclosure. One slowly approached Shadow Hawk, waiting until the opportune moment for the shot. Bam! The dart struck the correct target, but was quickly forced out. Had it stayed in long enough for the entire dosage of tranquilizing drug to expel? Only time would tell.

Steve and Kiley exited and anxiously waited 20 minutes. Upon returning, they found Shadow Hawk in the back corner, completely asleep. He was quickly carried out, examined, and loaded in the kennel. Due to concern for his breathing, he was given a reversal drug to wake him back up. Moments later, Kiley stroked his paw to stimulate a breath. However, this stimulation instantly awoke him, and sent him rock­eting to the back of the kennel. In turn, Kiley went flying backwards in the other direction. After mutually scaring each other, he was left alone to calm down.

Luke was then placed on a stretcher, wrapped in a tarp, and placed in the back seat, leaving Elvis completely alone. The director of the troubled facility decided to cut a hole in the fence between him and the solitary female to aide in his transition. The volunteers then quickly left to bring Shadow Hawk home!

The ride went well, and everything was already prepared for his arrival at the Sanctuary. He was released in the containment area in front of Kiki’s run to adjust. Although apprehensive of people, he seemed very curious, and loved his new diet of meat!

After several weeks, the door between them was opened. The humans waited, prepared for the worst. To our surprise, nothing happened -- absolutely nothing. Kiki ignored Shadow Hawk and he ignored her as he explored his new acre-plus enclosure. We left them alone with hopes they would begin the bonding process when no humans where around.

After what each individual has been through, they may just need time to heal their wounds. Kiki’s mournful howls finally ceased, and the two have begun singing together. We are hopeful this is a positive sign and in time they will bond enough to become good companions. Shadow Hawk will occasionally still sing a very sorrowful song, but has also started to sound the alarm howl whenever someone approaches ‘his’ enclosure. This is a very encouraging sign along with more frequent observations of Shadow Hawk and Kiki spending much more time together.

By the way, we also planted a tree at Wolf in memory of Luke and his ashes will aid in its growth.

 

 

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