lakota – Dec 15, 2001 12:00 AM

All seems fine today. Jen Westlund put yearlings in pack holding area to feed vitamins and Cosequin. Lakota hesitant to approach, but Andrea Lorek Strauss and Jen Westlund were able to deliver Orbax and vitamins to Lakota as well as 3/4 pounds of meat. When Malik and Shadow were released, Jen gave food at the gate to distract the yearlings from seeking out Lakota. Lakota had good movement and appeared to be healing well. Yearlings very calm and moved between the den and the building. Staff are reviewing wolf interaction protocol to ensure that Lakota is not encouraged to show higher rank than an omega position that may make her vulnerable to retaliation from the yearlings. It is natural behavior for the yearlings to attempt to be higher ranking in their pack, but we also see that if the yearlings can focus some of that young energy toward something else, they spend less time attempting to climb rank. The challenge is to come up with distractions and activities to occupy their time this winter. Generally, as wolves reach maturity, 18-24 months, rank is established and they become less exuberant. Although, wolves in captivity are driven by the same instincts as their wild counterparts and dominance strife should be expected at any time.