maya – Feb 11, 2011 12:00 AM

This is a continuation of the logs starting with Aidan, Denali, Grizzer and now Maya. Maya is good at her role as the dominant female. She has an intensity like no other. We know Maya's dominance can be heightened while she and Grizzer patrolled the upper enclosure, and if she can't get to what is agitating her, she will redirect. It's the way she's hardwired, and it doesn't make her an aggressive animal. In fact, after I stopped the altercation, she allowed me to fully inspect her coat, and while sensitive to a bite on her leg and paw, she was very gentle in that Vet inspection. There are times when wolves do what wolves do, that's why we say "Wolves live by social rules that have evolved with survival in the wild." Placement in captivity doesn't change that and while people may question why there's a need for a hierarchy in captivity where food resources are plentiful and life is easy, one can't expect an animal to not be influenced by their genetics.