Boltz – Hard in the Middle

We apologize to those of you who follow Boltz in the wolf logs.  Being in the middle of the pack based on age and rank, it seems like Boltz gets overlooked when it comes to some interactions, including the posting of wolf logs. This is in part due to Boltz’s more timid behavior, especially during the fly season.  In his younger days, he had some negative associations with bees and now he seems to obsess about anything that buzzes over his head.  Once the temperatures warm enough for the bugs to arrive, he tends to retreat to the upper wood line out of sight to the photographers.  This seasonal change in confidence has not gone unnoticed by the yearlings.  Initially, they backed off and watched as Boltz spun in circles catching flies.  Now, they seem more tolerant and continue to show some bonding behavior with Boltz.  Boltz seems to revert back to his juvenile mind, obnoxiously submitting to Denali.  This timid seasonal behavior includes the weekly carcass feedings, where he waits on the sidelines before he gets an opportunity to tug at the carcass and retreat with his possession.  The “What’s for Dinner” crowd cheered on Saturday night when Boltz acquired a hind deer leg from Denali and the yearlings.  Staff monitor feedings closely as well as monitoring the condition and color of scat to ensure that each wolf gets the resources they need.  When the weather is cool and damp keeping the bugs from being airborne, Boltz is right in the mix showing some dominance over anyone willing to stand there long enough to take it.