grizzer – Apr 10, 2007 12:00 AM

One event that happened this week is the launching of the Center’s new Web cam that features a view from the top of the den. The den top is a favorite resting spot for wolves during the winter months. The cooler temperatures inside the den make it a favorite during the summer months, and we often have wolves lying in the doorway of the den when the temperatures increase. We would like to acknowledge one of our members, Johanna Goering, for donating this new camera and the resources necessary for bringing it to our website. Our plan is switch the retired pack camera to the Center’s website and, after fundraising efforts, get a camera that can follow the activities of the new pups in 2008 and thereafter reside in the Exhibit Pack. As we move through this transition, you can still find the existing webcams hosted by www.elyminnesota.com. It’s been an interesting week for weather and changes in wolves’ behaviors. The warming trend, turned winter weather pattern seems to be affecting the pack. Dominance rank order behavior had been calming and Shadow was returning to a playful social companion rather than a pack leader on alert. He and Grizzer were even viewed in some social behavior, then the snow hit again, and it was back to Grizzer testing and Shadow being proactive. Although, the intensity of dominance has certainly decreased, Shadow and Malik still vocalize to Grizzer. As this week’s photo shows, raven activity continues to be present in the pack. Usually, by this time of the year, ravens start dispersing and searching for nests, leaving very few to scavenge the leftover carcasses. In this week’s video, you will see several raven’s in the background, some taking food from the wolves, without much response from the wolves.