malik – Feb 2, 2009 12:00 AM

Malik has finally started laying in straw beds. To give the pack plenty of resting spots during the colder weather, straw is used throughout the facility. The morning sun doesn't reach the top of the dens until later in the day, so straw was placed in the lower portions of the enclosure during the cold spell and to help place Grizzer in a sunny position to melt some of the dried blood on his pelage. Malik initially curled up in a ball in the snow, of course looking cold. It made staff wonder about straw placement, if Malik didn't feel comfortable in any of the choices for beds. Finally, after placing 10 different beds, Malik chose one in front of the greeting rock, and seems to be more comfortable. This job of caring for wolves goes far beyond the physical, it's important to recognize the psychological needs of the wolves as well.