The North Coast’s favourite canines are now parents.
Pure-bred Alaskan Grey wolves Zeus and Ashley have produced five gorgeous, snow-white cubs.
The cubs, born on Sunday, August 3 are being cared for by local animal expert Daneel Fuchs at their home in Seatides.
Fuchs hand-reared Zeus and Ashley, who are now both over a year old (‘Who let the wolves out?’, Courier, November 13, 2013).
“My wife, Orcila and I were in Jo’burg when we heard that Ashley had given birth to two white cubs. When we got home there were five beautiful little babies waiting for us, one male and four females.”
Fuchs is particularly excited about the male cub, which he believes is the first white male wolf born in South Africa.
“All the cubs are healthy, growing at an average of 60 grams a day. Their little noses and pads on their feet are starting to turn black, which is the mark of a wolf.”
“Ashley has been a natural mother. She is very protective of her cubs, which is normal. But when I saw her for the first time after the birth, she picked the cubs up and gave them to me, one by one, as if to show me how proud she was.” He said when female wolves give birth they grow a pouch near their throat to store meat to bring back to their cubs. Fuchs, who is seen as the wolves’ pack leader, is bottle feeding the cubs in addition to milk from Ashley, and weighing them every day.
They are still quite tiny and immobile and cannot see yet. Once they are older Fuchs will send them abroad, to America or the United Kingdom.
Zeus and Ashley still have healthy appetites, eating up to five kilograms of raw meat every day, which is supplied by Food Lovers’ Market in Ballito.
The Fuchs keep Ashley and Zeus separated from their other dogs.
The couple and their two children also share their home with an alligator, two cats, scorpions, snakes, an albino hedgehog and goldfish.
“We just love animals. How many children can say they have a wolf peeking at them every morning through the window?”
The Fuchs would like your help naming the five adorable cubs. Send your suggestions to jodi@northcoastcourier.co.za.
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