Grizzer – A Year in Review

Grizzer started the Year 2014 in the middle of two packs, the Retired Pack and the Exhibit Pack.  The Retired Pack stimulated most of the howling and kept Grizzer stimulated to rally with high pitched chatter that was unique to his personality.  Grizzer howled the low toned howls with Shadow after Malik passed away, and joined the silence of the Exhibit Pack as Shadow, the true pack leader passed away in July.  It has been a year of transitions for Grizzer.  In late July, he transitioned into a 3-enclosure design, using the pack holding area, the pine habitat and the east side enclosure (formerly Shadow and Malik’s area).  This freedom to roam throughout three enclosures has increased Grizzer’s stimulus and has made him more active.  We have also incorporated more staff into Grizzer’s enclosures, increasing his opportunity for social contact.  We are also in the design stages for an expansion to the wolf lab that will allow direct access from and indoor kennel to the Pack Holding area.  This will be used by the 2016 pups, but as Grizzer ages, he can also use this design to get some relief from cold nights.  We have a good start on funding this project and hope to have some building designs available soon.