Grizzer – Ease off on the People

While we are managing Luna to have a significant amount of contact and visits, Grizzer’s ear posture reminds us that not every wolf likes a change and stimuli around their enclosure.  Grizzer is showing an Ears Pricked and Turned Back ear posture which means he’s alert, but a bit intimidated by the activity around Luna.  We always need to be cognitive of each individual wolf’s needs.  Grizzer likes interacting with wolf care staff, it just has to be his guest list.  We started a new student worker, Justin, from Vermilion Community College to help with facilities, food acquisition and overall wolf care management.  Student’s don’t go into the enclosures with adult wolves, but their presence next to the fence requires that the wolves are familiar with them.  During Justin’s visits to the Wolf Care Center, Luna will frequently fall asleep next to the fence line, but Grizzer’s a bit more reserved.  It will take time before Grizzer opens up to Justin.  Calm, quiet visits next to the fence will go a long way to building trust. At 12 years of age, Grizzer deserves his space and comforts and we always want to monitor the impacts of activity around his enclosure.