malik – Apr 16, 2006 12:00 AM

Malik displayed what appears to be classic wolf behavior. When a higher ranking wolf is weak, take advantage of it. On Saturday, there appears to have been some unauthorized people behind the enclosure (see Shadow's logs) and with Shadow's natural personality to be leary of strangers, his intimidation seemed to be an opening for Malik. On Saturday evening's feeding, Malik dominanted the carcass, driving Shadow away from the food and giving Grizzer grief until Grizzer rolled over. In Sunday's log book, Intern Mary Murphy wrote; Malik is acting very confident while Shadow is strangely passivc. Shadow didn't come down for meds for a long time, and then let the others push him out of the way. He was not being assertive at all, with lowered head and half lowered tail. A few minutes later, he let Grizzer push him away from the water bucket. While it's not our habit to intervene on the pack dynamics, the staff will be paying attention to Shadow as the dominant male and will work to regain his confidence.