23. Can the Wolf in Captivity be Happy?
How happy can the Wolf be in captivity? Answer: Probably much happier
and content than in its natural habitat. They do not need to worry
about food, shelter, protection, and have or show very little anxiety in
a comfortable pen and compound. Very little anxiety about their young.
In fact, some of my bitches start carrying their cubs to me after 14
days of age. The only thing wrong with this is that they just bring one
or two cubs up each morning, and place it in the feed pan, sometimes
keeping two or three for themselves. Thusly I have to turn her out with
her mate in the compound and take the remaining cubs.
Seldom does a pure bred bitch even cry or howl after giving up her cubs.
Whereby in the wilds after robbing of a den, the mother, father and
other pack members hang around the den and howl and cry till they are so
hoarse that they sound little like their original voices.
Okay, what is the predominant shortcoming in keeping captive packs?
Answer: A softening of the ability to survive. A moderation of their
inherent hardiness. A moderation of their breeding cycles. A lessening
of the tremendous fur coat, priming out. But, this is quickly offset by
the fact that they CAN SURVIVE AND BE HAPPY AND REPRODUCE. To the best
of my knowledge, seldom does a wild raised litter bring to adulthood
over 3 to 4 cubs. In confinement my yearly average is 6.9 on pures and
7.1 with hybrids.