Lucky, an old gray wolf, is the only remaining representative of his species living at Saigon Zoo & Botanical Gardens. Lucky is also the model for the wolf character in The Gray Wolf Waiting for the Moon, a book published by Tre Publishing House in 2023.
In the minds of visitors, a gray wolf is supposed to be a large animal, at least about the size of a German Shepherd, with large white teeth and four long protruding fangs, a wide-open mouth with a bright red interior, and sharply pointed ears that are always standing upright.
They may therefore feel a little disappointed when they see our old wolf, whose actual size is rather modest, with teeth that are sharp but slender. His ears are curled and drooping. In mammals, the ears and eyes are two parts of the body that are affected by old age and show visible changes, especially the ears. As the cartilage supporting the outer ear becomes less firm, the ears begin to droop and curl.
Apart from his ears, which look quite different from those of his species, Lucky can certainly be described as a handsome old gentleman. At the age of 19, his coat is still remarkably smooth, although it is no longer as thick as it was when he was young. The silvery-gray fur growing from the mane around his neck extends down to his back, making him look as though he is wearing a saddle. His four legs are small and slender, with claws that are no longer sharp, allowing him to move quickly. His tail is no longer bushy like a broom, but it is still enough to add a touch of elegance to his appearance.
Because of his age, Lucky no longer maintains many of the habits of a wild wolf. He no longer digs into the ground to hide his food, nor does he dig a den for shelter when the weather is too cold or too hot. He simply lets the birds living within the grounds of Saigon Zoo & Botanical Gardens, such as crows and red-billed blue magpies, come and steal his food without making any attempt to chase them away or punish them.
He no longer has the energy to run around his enclosure, using feces and urine to mark his territory, display his strength, and assert ownership over the roughly one-hundred-square-meter area that is his home.
The animal keepers are very fond of Lucky. He is often given special treats that are not included in his regular diet, such as balut and boiled eggs, as a way of making up for some of the food stolen by those greedy birds.
Each day passes peacefully for Lucky. He lies hidden among the piles of logs that have been deliberately arranged for him. Occasionally, he comes out to bask in the sun or lies close to the glass, as if to let visitors know that he is still keeping busy.
Lucky's old age is also made a little more comfortable by the companionship of Bạch Tuyết. Bạch Tuyết is a genetically mutated arctic fox whose coat has changed from pure white to deep black.
Although her appearance is rather unattractive, Bạch Tuyết has a very good temperament. She is gentle, calm, and knows how to respect her older companion, something that would be difficult to find in the competitive struggle for survival in nature.
Normally, who would ever expect to see a fox and a wolf living together?
But Lucky and Bạch Tuyết are different. Lucky faces no competition from her over food or resting places. The two have even become friends from different generations, sharing the good things in life with each other.
No one knows whether Lucky has passed on to Bạch Tuyết the distinctive moon-howl of the wolf.
