nyssa – Nov 22, 2004 12:00 AM

As the pups were being raised, personalities were developing. Most people would agree that Nyssa showed most dominance with the other pups especially around food. What is somewhat surprising is her skittish behavior towards activities in the main Exhibit. While the other wolves take things like wheelbarrows, student workers, rakes, shovels and rock hauling in stride, Nyssa has become exteremely nervous about people who are not part of the regular staff and activities that involve new objects. Her timid behavior often results in her avoiding the holding pen where the other wolves willingly enter, and leads her to retreat to the top of the enclosure to avoid the things that startle her. Even though these wolves are socialized, this skittish behavior is instinctual, and probably what allows wolves in the wild to survive a human dominated environment.