[The following editorial appears in Hidden Years #7 and New Blood #6. --MK]
Those of you who've been with us a while know that we've had a special place in our hearts for Wolf Park since 1982, when we became the "adoptive parents" of a yearling wolf named Betsy. I had the following news last night (though the events would have taken place in late February) from GEnie, an electronic information network. It was reported by Brian Bailey, who is a volunteer at Wolf Park, in Battle Ground, Indiana.
"...(W)e lost another friend. Betsy, an 11 year old alpha female of our mini-pack, was killed in a dominance fight by her two daughters. Although most wolf dominance fights are highly ritualized, without injury, fights for the alpha position, especially in females, can be deadly. We found Betsy dead when we went in to clean the enclosure last Saturday, Betsy had been seen suppressing and pinning her daughters without problem hours earlier. Although we'll never know for sure, I have a feeling she probably had a stroke or heart attack during a social interaction and the girls took advantage of her, recognizing her disability. Or it's possible they just suddenly realized Betsy was vulnerable and decided to try to dominate her. Whatever, Betsy was not the type to submit after so many years as alpha female. I like to think she went out happier that way, alpha to the end, than she would have as an outcast, separated from her pack."
Many of the Wolfriders have experienced such a loss. And those who have not know that one day they, too, must face the death of their first wolf friend.
Forgetting all else, the tribe unites in a long mournful howl.
It is a reaffirmation of who they are...
But more, it is a tribute to a valiant old friend who once led the pack.
The howl is for... Betsy.