Pennsylvania Game Commission officials today announced that the agency is attempting to capture what is believed to be a wolf-hybrid that has taken up residence in Pennypack Park, Philadelphia. (Photo Courtesy of Cheryl A. Trewella)
The wolf-hybrid that had taken up residence in Pennypack Park was captured Tuesday morning.
“A variety of approaches were used to remove this animal from Pennypack Park,” explained Dan Lynch, a Pennsylvania Game Commission Southeast Region Wildlife Education Specialist, who was involved with the capture. “We tried tranquilizer equipment and cage traps, with no success and so we eventually opted for foothold traps. Within three hours, it was captured. The animal was out of the trap in less than a minute and was seemingly unfazed by the experience as it sat calmly in its transport pen.”
The foothold trap is useful for catching canines, which often are reluctant to enter enclosures and tough to dart with a tranquilizer gun, according to a press statement.
ldquo;Hot dogs were the ticket,” added Lynch. “It had become accustomed to eating hot dogs left in the park daily by folks concerned about its well-being. So, hot dogs were recognized immediately as our best attractant and we put them to work. It didn’t take long!”
The wolf-hybrid was taken to the Wolf Sanctuary of Pennsylvania, located north of Lititz in Lancaster County, where its health is being assessed so it can be cared for properly. The 22-acre woodland wolf retreat offers refuge to wolves and wolf-hybrids that have become ownerless and without proper permits to be kept legally. ••
