A Mexican gray wolf, which recently underwent a leg amputation, has been successfully reintegrated into her habitat at the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in Palm Desert after a brief recovery period. The female wolf, named Soleil Ellen, was peacefully received by her packmates.
According to a Facebook post from the Living Desert Zoo on December 23, the zoo's animal care team closely monitored the wolf's reunion with her pack. "As expected, Soleil Ellen has shown incredible resiliency and is navigating the habitat with ease. She is back to running, climbing, splashing in the pond, and, of course, napping with her pack," stated the zoo.
Earlier this month, another Facebook post from the zoo reported that Soleil Ellen had injured her leg due to an awkward landing after a jump. The zoo explained that such injuries are common among wolves in the wild due to their propensity for rough play and high jumps. Following an immediate evaluation by the zoo's veterinary team, it was determined that Soleil Ellen had suffered a mid-shaft spiral fracture of the right humerus.
The zoo's veterinary team consulted with specialists from various organizations including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Mexican Wolf Species Survival Plan to devise an appropriate treatment plan for Soleil Ellen. Although options such as casting and surgical fixation were considered, these were ultimately dismissed due to concerns about prolonged recovery times causing undue stress on the wolf. "Unlike with people, we can't prescribe bedrest or offer crutches to a wolf. This species is rarely at rest; they are naturally athletic and very active," said Dr. Andrea Goodnight, the lead veterinarian at the zoo. "Considering the limitations of other treatments, an amputation was deemed as being in Soleil Ellen’s best interest for both mental and physical wellbeing. This procedure will have minimal impact on her future and allows her to resume normal activities with her pack as soon as possible."
The USFWS has noted that the Mexican gray wolf was on the brink of extinction less than three decades ago. In an effort to revive the species, the USFWS released captive Mexican wolves into the Mexican Wolf Experimental Population Area in Arizona and New Mexico in 1998. Over a span of 25 years, the population has grown from zero to at least 241 in 2022.