On Thursday, August 18, 2011, I returned home from work to found that Ingo, our alpha, had passed on. We knew he was sick and had planned on sedating him the next day for a more thorough examination. Dr. Duerr, the wolves veterinarian, came out on Tuesday, August 16 in the evening. We had a number of volunteers present. On entering the enclosure, we allowed Ingo to approach us—seeing his breathing was more labored, Dr. Duerr decided to hold off on anesthetizing him until all the necessary equipment to breath for Ingo was present, if he were to require that. The date was then planned for Friday, August 19.

Ingo never embraced the idea of being restrained, going on walks with a chain around his neck was not Ingo’s way of enjoying himself and you would have better luck bear hugging an elephant than trying to pick up Ingo. Ingo beat the odds again by passing on before he could be chemically restrained.

Each one of the wolves have a favorite or a few favorites amongst us humans. Ingo’s favorite “girls” were Nic and Beth. Beth had retired from Wolf Timbers a number of years ago. I called Nic, she came out, we put Nira and Keeley in the holding pen. This was to prevent them from guarding Ingo. Nic and I then just sat with Ingo for an hour or so. We then removed Ingo and allowed Nira and Keeley back into the main enclosure.

We had placed Ingo outside the airlock gates so that Nira and Keeley could again see Ingo. They both stood in the airlock for five minutes, looking at Ingo and sniffing the air. Nira then just trotted away. Keeley remained and after a few more minutes, she started to do her “dance” as only those close enough to her have witnessed. She then began to whimper slightly. Allowing her a few more minutes, we then exited the enclosure.

I then called Wolf Park and told them of Ingo’s passing. Dr. Duerr than called and I informed him of the same and I asked him if we could perform a necropsy. He agreed saying that the sooner, the better.

In the meantime, we were wondering where to place Ingo for his final resting spot. At that time, I then called Ingo’s other “favorite” girl, Teresa. Teresa suggested cremation. After conferring with Nic, Wolf Park and Doctor Duerr, it was decided this would honor Ingo more than being placed in a box. We met Dr. Duerr at his Bolivar office and performed the necropsy. In times of great sorrow, there are little rays of light—this being evidenced by that fact that Ingo had no internal parasites, and no heartworms. We also could not find any ticks or fleas on him.

Ingo’s cause of death was lung cancer. The smallest parts of his lungs were consumed by the cancer. The amazing thing is that he survived as long as he did without giving as much as a clue, except in the last week or so, of how sick he was. Ingo’s passing was a dignified as his life.

Marty Huth