lakota – Feb 12, 2002 12:00 AM

Fed a beaver to Lakota while the yearlings were occupied in the pack holding area for a few hours. CVC to all and no problems after the yearlings were released. Curator's note: Generally during the winter (the natural breeding season for wolves), hormones are naturally higher and more intense and Lakota as the omega has become more restricted in movement (even though the wolves are spayed and neutered). This has occurred every winter since Lakota reached sexual maturity (she was the Omega even when Kiana was alive); In January and February, staff usually observes the Alpha's playing more and all other wolves getting dominated with more intensity. In the wild, only the alpha's breed as a method of population control (a pack can usually only support one litter), so the alpha's assert their position on the lower ranking wolves to make sure they don't breed. This dominance from the alpha's can cause the other wolves to redirect their aggression to the Omega, often chasing, mobbing and even ostracizing them to follow the pack at a distance. In captivity, this may mean the Omega has restricted movement. At the Center, we saw Lakota restrict her movement to the top of the enclosure in a dug den made by Kiana.