Jerry

Description

One of Dr. McCleery's original wolves; his first wolf. His bloodline does not run in the current pack.

Gender

Male

Geographic Origin

Shipped from Wyoming but may not have originated there. Had the reddish color characteristic of wolves from the Rocky Mountain region from Montana southwards.1(p.3)

Obtained

January 1921

Obtained Through

A dealer in Wyoming,1(p.3) probably the Sheridan Zoo2

Age When Obtained

10 months1(p.3)

Birth Date

About March 1920

Death Date

Probably around mid-1925

Biographical Text

Jerry was Dr. McCleery's first wolf1(p.3) and the leader of the pack.1(p.16) He was widely known to be Dr. McCleery's favorite.1(p.9) Jerry had a terrible rivalry with Achilles, and their jealousy of each other made it difficult to pet one while the other was watching. Jerry, who loved being petted by Dr. McCleery, would therefore sneak up to Dr. McCleery out of view of Achilles in order to receive carresses.1(p.11) At one point, Jerry got Achilles by the throat in an attempt to kill him, but Dr. McCleery was able to gently talk Jerry into releaseing Achilles.1(p.11)

Jerry was happily mated to Diana.1(p.6) One of their daughters was Apache.1(p.23)

When Jerry was three years old, his mate Diana attacked her sister Montana and badly lacerated Montana's leg. In an attempt to make her let go, Dr. McCleery struck Diana with a two by four, and then struck Jerry when he objected and tried to interfere. Diana let go of Montana, but the incident put a great strain on Jerry and Dr. McCleery's friendship.1(p.6)

Dr. McCleery believed that Jerry was naturally of a bad disposition; every few months he went through a vicious spell which would last a few days.1(p.9) His bloodline was eventually eliminated except for one giant female kept only for exhibition purposes.1(p.7)

When Jerry was five years old (probably around mid-1925) a boy visiting the park stuck him with a knife through the fence. This turned Jerry against people and he would attempt to leap over the fence to attack them. For fear that he would eventually kill someone, Dr. McCleery had to have Jerry killed, and asked Fred Houben shoot him. Dr. McCleery's wife remarked that Dr. McCleery grieved for Jerry as if he had lost a family member.1(p.8-9)