Luna – a Constant Enclosure Enrichment

During the summer of 2016, we didn’t schedule the usual summer Enclosure Enrichment program because we had limited space and staff time to move the wolves off the Exhibit for the daily program.  But, with the arrival of the pups, their travels to and from the auditorium for the 4-daily programs, we are providing enough enrichment for the Exhibit Pack and especially Luna.  Luna seems to be a bit focused on the pups, with a constant vigil when the pups are in the program, when they are spending time in the yard or when staff are transporting them from the Wolf Care Center to the auditorium.  This is more than interest, as with most of Luna’s behavior, it borders on a bit obsessive.  Whether it’s stacking up 5 beaver and sleeping on them or dominating the wolf care staff time, Luna tends to display high intensity behaviors.  There have been many that ask why are we getting male pups and not a female.  Certainly you have heard my response that this is out of concern for Luna’s health, but it is not only Luna’s situation that made us determine this course of action.  I had some experiences with two females on Exhibit in 1989 that had some extensive dominance requiring alternate placements for a Raissa at 6- months of age.  We also had a similar situation with Maya and Nyssa in 2005.  Female to female dominance is well researched and is more challenging in captivity because there is no dispersal option.  It’s our job as managers to make the decision on how best to manage a pack cohesively.  With our 4-year rotation, Luna will meet a female pup at 8-years of age, pups are typically subordinate and not testing until they are between their first and second year and by that time, Luna will be ready for retirement.  That is much better than having her tested and retired at the age of 6.   We weighed the adults today and Luna is 98.7 lbs., a similar weight to last year.

 

Here’s an article written by Pat Goodman from Wolf Park that addresses the female dominance issue:

http://www.indiana.edu/~p1013447/dictionary/wolfaggr.htm