In the summer of 2001 I attended an intensive, six day course on canine and wolf behavior at Wolf Park in Battle Ground, IN. Taught by noted wolf ethologist, Dr. Erich Klinghammer, author and evolutionary biologist, Dr. Ray Coppinger, and author and dog trainer Terry Ryan, the course focused on the many behavioral similarities between the wolf and the family dog, and even more important, the differences in their behavior. It remains one of the two best courses I have attended, not only for the knowledge gained but the many friendships made; both human and canine.
Our course work consisted of observing and documenting wolf behavior in the early hours of the morning, followed by lectures the remainder of the day. The highlights were the opportunities we had to interact with the wolves in their enclosures. During those encounters I had the opportunity to meet Orca and before the week was over I would become one of his “adopted” parents.
Wolf Park is a nonprofit education and research facility that studies wolf behavior and provides seminars and interpretive programs for people such as myself as well as local schools. Much of their funding comes from program like their Adopt-A-Wolf program. After a few days at Wolf Park I knew I wanted to do my small part to support their work, and after meeting Orca I knew I wanted to support Wolf Park by becoming one of his sponsors.
I was captivated by all of the wolves I met at Wolf Park, but Orca had a special story. In 1997, just 3 and half years into his life, Orca became paralyzed from the waist down. His inspiration to keep going and to not be hindered by his disability was an inspiration to many. Thanks to his guardians at Wolf Park Orca lived a full life, quietly passing in his sleep on June 20th at the age of fifteen.
For more information on Wolf Park and Orca, check these web links: http://www.wolfpark.org - http://www.wolfpark.org/memoriam_Orca.html – http://www.wolfpark.org/orca_update/index.html
Don and Orca - JUN 2001
