shadow – Dec 21, 2001 12:00 AM

Since 5 wolves at the fence make it hard to track the delivery of vitamins and Cosequin, Malik and Shadow are generally placed in a holding pen before giving the vitamins. This ensures that each wolf gets the right dosage. Lately, when the yearlings are released, they immediately run for Lakota to remind her of her omega position. Their intensity has been increasing as winter advances and the yearlings approach sexual maturity. Even though the pack is spayed and neutered to prevent unnecessary pups, the wolves still have a hormonal surge during January and February, the natural breeding season for wolves. While dominance hierarchies and social rank order aggression is natural to a wolf pack, the confinement of captivity makes it difficult for individuals to get away from each other in an intensive display of dominance. As breeding season aggression intensifies, staff will be watchful of the dominance levels between all wolves."