In this week’s video, you will see Malik showing a defensive threat display, while Shadow stays back in higher tail posture. The one observation we notice is that when Grizzer is dominating Shadow, Malik jumps in to take a grab bite, but when Grizzer and Malik are interacting, Shadow doesn’t usually go after Malik. It’s an interesting dynamic between the littermates, which is why we our pup plans always include at least two pups. The social interactions of wolves for status are critical to the wild, and are a strong instinct in captivity. This behavior truly defines the wolf pack structure.
One classic Lakota behavior is a face wipe, when a wolf rubs its’ face on the ground or in the snow after feeding. This behavior may have a function in cleaning the face of blood and debris from carcass feeding, or it might just feel good. In Lakota’s case, it appears the feel good response is a high likelihood. The snow and cold has increased the activity level of the Retired pack, winter is truly the season for wolves.
MacKenzie continues to remain alert to the activities of the Exhibit Pack and to any activity in the wolf lab. Her hearing is very keen and she is quick to check things out. Lakota's hearing seems to be decreasing, staff often comment on how long it takes her to notice staff at the fence. It's possible that MacKenzie compensates for her lack of vision by increasing her other senses.
Malik has been expressing more anxiety since Shadow was injured. Shadow and Malik share a strong bond, and certainly Malik can identify when Shadow is vulnerable. In previous years, Malik might have taken advantage of Shadow to gain some status, but with Grizzer in the # 2 roll, Shadow's vulnerability could make Grizzer higher ranking, and that makes Malik nervous. Fortunately for Malik, Shadow has been very diligent in maintaining rank.
Maya continues to show some very social behavior and has strong associative behavior towards Shadow. Her behavior has helped maintain Shadow's confidence and has eased the tension in the pack, during a situation that could have redefined the entire structure. It is early in the winter, and we certainly are aware of the potential for pack dynamic increases during the mid-winter season.
Maya continues to have some strong hormonal influences that add to her dominance and make her a bit excited. Shadow is right by her side when she starts some dominance on Grizzer, he doesn’t usually intervene, but is more likely to watch and give a growl of support. Grizzer seems to take it all in stride and doesn’t appear to be agitated with her behavior. Maya has also been spending a lot of time on the carcass. In this week’s video, she takes possession of a deer hide and carries it up the hill. Maya continues to show alliances with Shadow and has been a contributing factor to Shadow’s recovery. The wolves will receive a Christmas treat of either Cornish game hens or turkeys, no doubt, Maya will take possession of whatever is brought into the enclosure.
Malik benefited greatly from the extra feeding last week. Staff commented on Malik’s movement and had concerns that he was not dealing with the cold as well as the others. Malik has always been a more trim body frame than Shadow, and because of this, he is a bit more fragile. Staff also noticed white scat in the exhibit on Monday. White scat is an example of scat that doesn’t have much meat in the system, which is unusual to see so close to feedings. Feeding Malik requires locking Grizzer into holding, giving Shadow and Maya (these two don’t go into holding anymore) something as a distraction. It worked well, but staff must always remember to provide Grizzer with a distraction when he comes out so he doesn’t redirect.
Shadow has had a few moments of testing and anxiety because of Grizzer, but lately, he’s been very confident, social and interactive with the pack. As his video demonstrates, in order to keep Grizzer submissive, he needs to be vocal, and he does this well. At Saturday nights feeding, Shadow and Grizzer were feeding on a beaver together. Of course, it was away from the windows as Shadow doesn’t like a big crowd at the viewing window. Pack cohesiveness is a high priority in captive management and we are very pleased with the social group and look forward to the addition of two pups in the fall. The Nanny positions are extremely critical to raise pups with a strong social structure and an understanding of dominance. Nannies are expected to be viewed as pack leaders to these pups, being calm and assertive in all situations. We owe it to the Exhibit pack that we start these pups on the right track. This is why the Nanny program has prerequisites, it is a challenging task. Applications are still being accepted for the Nanny program, applications can be found on the website. Look for the Programs tab, and then open Wolf Seminars. The Behavioral Observation team, which monitors the pups first week in the pack, does not require prerequisites.
Grizzer is again returning to a calm personality over the summer, but he does get excited about feedings. His obsession includes chain biting, log chewing and rock rolling as he waits for staff to wheel the food into the enclosure. To reduce his pre-feeding anxiety, wolf care staff are now instructed to wait inside the building and not enter the lab until the education program staff are ready for feeding. This plan was implemented for the last two feedings, and has made a difference in Grizzer's pre-feeding stress.
With the exception of Malik, almost all the wolves have completed the summer shedding of their thick undercoat. Malik has been the last wolf to shed and has recently started "blowing his coat" This means that the thick undercoat that keeps wolves warm in the winter is starting to come out. He has big tufts of white, downy undercoat hanging from him that get sloughed off by low-lying brush and/or trees. Wolf care staff attempt to help the shedding process by brushing him, but due to his anxiety level and nervousness when Grizzer is near, this can be a difficult task. We take full advantage of brushing time, on days when he is more relaxed and social with wolf care staff.
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