Wolf Takes a Beating

Five Mexican gray wolves at the Brookfield Zoo were feeding when they turned on a young newcomer. Visitors found it hard to watch. (Link)

Probably knowing what they were doing, they left the youngster bloodied and exhausted but with no permanent damage.

All seem to agree that it should not have happened. Good zoos try hard to introduce exhibit animals so that this does not happen. (The zoo reports that it will stop trying to introduce this youngster to the exhibit group.)

This natural behavior can not be expected to never occur. It happens in the wild regularly.

I went yesterday to the NC Museum of Natural Science, Raleigh. Took in the new Jane Goodall exhibit. Was reminded that she witnessed a war between factions of one chimpanzee troop in Gombe, Tanzania, that saw one faction kill off all but three females of the other. The graphic showed at least five chimpanzees pulling, biting and tearing at a sole member of the other faction.

Then there was the chimpanzee mother and son which Jane Goodall found to be killing and cannibalizing other young chimps.

Individuals and groupings can be extremely hard on others of their own species, especially "outsiders". (Homo sapiens is no different.)