The mother of the Oakland Zoo’s gray wolf pack was humanely euthanized on Wednesday after a tumor was found in her abdomen.
According to the zoo’s post on X, veterinarians discovered a large mass during a routine examination of the wolf named “Siskiyou.”
After a CT scan, the zoo’s vet team determined that the tumor was untreatable.
Due to the pain and suffering the tumor is causing to Siskiyou, the zoo decided to euthanize her.
After the euthanasia, the zoo’s Animal Care Team brought Siskiyou’s body back home “to give the pack time to understand her passing.”
Siskiyou came to Oakland Zoo in December 2017 and was introduced to a male gray wolf named Sequoia.
She gave birth to four pups in 2019 and “the pack has enjoyed their sprawling habitat together for the past four and a half years,” the zoo said.
“Siskiyou has quite the life. From growing up in Montana, to raising 4 amazing offspring,” said one of the keepers who cared for the wolf. “In some sense, she came the farthest of all the wolves in the pack (both physically and psychologically). Her absence leaves a huge gap in our hearts and her family.”
Zoo officials say they will continue to monitor the rest of the gray wolf pack closely “as they absorb the loss of their matriarch.”
“Our hearts are with sweet Siskiyou, and the dedicated Animal Care team that cared for her with passion and love,” zoo officials said.
