Chlidonias

grey wolf, Orana Park

photo originally taken probably in the mid 1980s.

Orana's wolves were hybrid subspecies, although originally they were called Great Plains Wolves (Canis lupus nubilus) in the Park's guide-book, which was little more than wishful thinking. The original individuals came from Auckland Zoo in 1977. The last three animals, two males and a female which had all been bred at the Park, were anaesthetised in April 1993 due to old age and related medical problems. The move was criticised by animal-rights group SAFE who accused the Park of 'regularly shooting animals when they outlive their usefulness'
photo originally taken probably in the mid 1980s.

Orana's wolves were hybrid subspecies, although originally they were called Great Plains Wolves (Canis lupus nubilus) in the Park's guide-book, which was little more than wishful thinking. The original individuals came from Auckland Zoo in 1977. The last three animals, two males and a female which had all been bred at the Park, were anaesthetised in April 1993 due to old age and related medical problems. The move was criticised by animal-rights group SAFE who accused the Park of 'regularly shooting animals when they outlive their usefulness'
 
I just came across the date I originally took this photo, while scanning some other ones: November 1985
 
I doubt there will ever be wolves in NZ zoos again. At the time this photo was taken there were also a few white Arctic wolves at Wellington Zoo which were very nice. Now the only wild dogs here are three dingoes at Wellington, and the Cape hunting dogs at a few zoos.
 

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