Axel – Wolf Watch

Axel is the most interested in activities within the Center’s auditorium and is often at the window watching the people as they walk through the Center.  The predatory drive is active with the yearlings and is easily stimulated especially if people are excited, talking in high pitch voices or if kids are running.  We experienced some testing behavior between the yearlings and Denali.  Grayson took the lead, but Axel was pulling Denali’s tail similar to how he used to pull Grayson’s tail when they were pups.  This testing seems to have subsided over the weekend, but based on previous experience, the fall season will show more. Staff are actively working on protocols to address young wolf exuberance.  We need to be mindful of the fact that human intervention and separation can create a scenario that magnifies dominance situations.  It’s been our experience that the right distractions with appropriate timing can diffuses tense situations.