Boltz- New Found Freedoms

Even though Aidan had been less involved in the Exhibit pack activities in the last few months, we knew his removal from the pack would change the dynamics in the Exhibit.  Initially, we thought Denali, as a sibling to Aidan, would show the most significant response to Aidan’s removal.  We were wrong.  The strongest responses were observed in Grayson, who increased the number of lone howls he displayed and Boltz, who was released from the tension between he and Aidan, making for some very social wolf checks and surprising feeding programs.  In this post, the photo shows Boltz doing a full lunge towards Axel while Denali continues to feed.  This was photographed on the pack’s first feeding after Aidan’s retirement.  In previous feedings, Boltz was always the last to feed, he was timid, more likely to be isolated by himself in the wooded area of the enclosure.  Part of that behavior was due to a phobia of biting, buzzing insects, but part was his experience as a pup.  Of all the wolves at the Center, Boltz has the weakest socialization with staff due to his age when we acquired him.  Although Boltz was bottle-fed and socialized during the neonate stage at his natal facility, he did not have the full 24-hour a day human experience that is standard protocol at the Center.  Wolf pups have a fear avoidance behavior that can be observed as young as 13 days of age; Acquiring Boltz at 30 days of age definitely shows a stronger avoidance of new or uncertain stimuli. On July 28th, during the What’s for Dinner program, Denali not only let Boltz feed with him, but actively kept Axel and Grayson off the deer.  This new found freedom at the carcass has resulted in Boltz showing more confidence and more willingness for staff interaction.