Aidan is doing better than the first few days of the introduction. He was a bit nervous with reflections at the window and movement thoughout the building, but the Behavioral Observation team did observe much improvement by Wednesday, when he was often observed walking the rock line in front of the window. He seems to have formed an alliance with Shadow, but gets along well with all the other wolves. Maya has been a bit aloof, but she is beginning to show more social behavior toward the pups.
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Denali is much more relaxed in the exhibit than Aidan, but both pups are adjusting well. Denali has much more associative behavior with Grizzer, although Grizz is good with both pups. Denali continues to have good weight gain and is fond of coming back into the pup pen for twice daily feedings. He often lies in the chute after a feeding and has to be coaxed out. This makes management so much easier when they become adults. It is critical now that there is no negative conditioning with the gates, as that is what seems to have startled Maya.
Grizzer is the biggest surprise of the whole introduction. Initially, we were very concerned about the subordinate males seeing the pups as an opportunity to gain some status. While that may be Malik's behavior, Grizzer has become more of a pup observer and social companion. He is often found lying with the pups, rolling over for them and grooming them. The Behavioral Observation Team even observed Denali laying on Grizzer's stomach. This is great behavior to observe, and a real positive sign that the pack will be socially cohesive.
Aidan is doing well, he is getting better about coming down for programs with treats from the staff. He still shows a bit of fear avoidance behavior when there is a lot of activity between the male rank order or when there is a low throated defensive howling situation. He likes to chew on bones in the pack, and is quick to dominate Denali if he is being dominated by Grizzer or the staff.
As predicted, the pups have added to the dynamics of the pack, and continue to demonstrate unique interactions with each adult. Aidan still follows Shadow, and will run with Grizzer when he chases Malik. But the latest behavior relates to his participation in dominance. Grizzer’s submissive behavior toward the pups has resulted in Maya taking an opportunity to scruff bite and pin him. This usually starts out as a social interaction between the two of them, but Malik and Shadow are quick to join in. In the past week, Aidan has joined the mix with a grab bite. Grizzer takes this well, and this will likely change as fall approaches, but for now, Aidan is practicing dominance, compliments of Grizzer.
Denali will certainly live up to his name. He is a large pup, and is nearly Maya’s height. He has taken to spending time on the greeting rock, and while he still looks small on the large rock, it won’t be long until he sprawls out and covers the whole surface. His facial features are very unique and he definitely shows a much broader head than Aidan. He already has the same characteristic poses as Grizzer and will likely be a source of many quality photos.
Malik is a stimulus for chase behavior in the pack. Usually, Malik gets nervous when the pack is rallying and does sprint up the hill and across the log, starting a chase that may last for 5 minutes. This has been good for the pups to experience. Initially, they were a bit nervous as all the adults ran, but lately, they have been participating. Malik still shows some intolerance toward the pups when they food beg, but he has improved his social interaction in recent weeks, and is relaxed enough to exhibit play.
Maya has also increased her social play activity with the pups, and while food possession is still an issue with her, she does allow the pups to take food from her. She never did get to the point where the pups are free to climb on her, that is more representative of Shadow and Grizzer’s behavior toward the pups. But, if we were concerned that the pups would start to climb social rank too soon, Maya has calmed our concerns. These pups will know discipline from Maya and understand their position in the pack.
Written by Kristin Radermacher – Submitted by Pup Nanny Stephanie Lasley Aiden went into the pup pen to drink some water and managed to slap about 1/3 of the bucket on the floor, after that there was a lot of sliding around while chasing each other. After that the mess was cleaned up with the pups help. Both Aiden and Denali went back to the bucket and both of them stood with their front paws in the bucket and had a drink. It was decided that we would take them outside for a while. This time they were stalking, pouncing and running full out like they were playing tag. Maya came to the fence whining and the pups stopped their running long enough for Aiden to sniff noses with her and Denali connected with Shadow. Grizzer and Malik came close but Shadow kept them back. When the pups started playing with each other again, Shadow laid down by the fence. The pups were brought back in, fed and settled down to sleep. Their sleep was briefly interrupted by the pack howling, they joined in for a bit, then settled down for the night.
Written by Kristin Radermacher – Submitted by Pup Nanny Stephanie Lasley Today was a very active day for brothers Denali and Aiden; it was nicknamed “Wolf Pups Gone Wild by the nannies and staff. Denali is the big boy but fiery Aiden held his own and kept stealing anything that Denali had. Denali in return would run after Aiden and attempt to recapture the item. Often there was a tug of war. Time outside was spent running full speed after each other often stalking and pouncing on one another. They would jaw spar, stand over each other and occasionally a roll over by each. The action didn’t stop when they went inside to eat. They were running all over the office trying to climb the counters. Running into – and fighting in – the box from the air conditioner. It was sort of eat and run by both of them. Denali was observed playing trying to cache the stuffed pheasant toy in a hole he dug under the picnic table.
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