Written by Working for Wolves participants Theresa Williams and Darin Groeneveld: Working for Wolves participants worked primarily on improving and installing privacy fencing around the retirement enclosure. Malik did quite a bit of pacing to keep track of everyone around his enclosure. When staff arrived Sunday morning, he was relaxed and sleeping on top of his den. Staff removed straw and added cedar chips in his den boxes and cleaned and filled his pond.
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Written by Working for Wolves participant Joyce Wells: This weekend the Working for Wolves volunteers completed several projects in the wolf yard and around the retirement enclosure. Shadow did some bark howling, indicating a level of stress about strangers within proximity of his pack and his space. Staff added fresh cedar chips and wood shavings to all dens. In this weeks photo you'll see Shadow scent rolling on the new wood chips.
We've been getting comments about Aidan's change in locations on the webcams. As aggressive behaviors moderate this time of the year, Aidan has much more freedom and will spend time on the greeting rock. Of course, with this new found freedom, he does have to deal with Denali's wrestling, which his photo shows, is not always a positive social experience.
Denali has taken to the spring ritual of brushing. Initially, he tried to eat the brush handle, especially the nice new "Ruffin It" brushes that were donated (he likes the rubber handle). We are breaking him in to the process and the tools, and within a few weeks, we hope to have all of the undercoats removed. Temperatures have been in the 80's, almost unheard of in Ely, Minnesota in May.
Malik showed a bit of anxiety with the work projects that were completed on his enclosure last weekend, but as the Youtube video shows, the stress was worth it. He is finding great comfort in having a wood privacy fence on the back side of his enclosure, and we are so grateful to the people who participated in the Working for Wolves program that tolerated the lack of squareness on the fence, the fumes of the paint and stain, and the marginal toolbox to get this job done. We thank you on Malik's behalf. We spent several thousand dollars on Malik's project, and as a non-profit, we don't have an unlimited supply of resources, but our wolves care is a priority. As part of our 25 year anniversary celebration, we set a goal of 2500 new members, if you're reading this and are not a member, consider joining this year. The wolves appreciate your support.
It appears that Grizzer is testing Shadow. The signs are subtle, with a paw up on Shadow’s face, a ride up, and some direct eye stares, but staff have noticed, and more importantly to dynamics, it appears Denali has noticed. The following is a scenario of events that demonstrate some issues in rank order. About 5:15 pm on Thursday, April 29th, Maya pulled Aidan’s rear leg, and physically pinned him, why, who knows, but Aidan submitted. While that happened, Grizzer immediately ran to Shadow, often when there’s some dominance, wolves that are testing may try to take advantage of another wolf that’s distracted. Shadow pinned Grizzer, then he turned to face Denali who was advancing towards Shadow, then Maya left Aidan and went to Grizzer and pinned Grizzer, while Shadow pinned Denali. So, this situation will be monitored closely in the upcoming weeks. Grizzer weighed in at 124 lbs, down by 5 pounds from his September 2009 weight.
Aidan is really starting to mix and interact with the pack on a regular basis. He joins the pack in the holding area prior to feedings, and is frequently tail wagging, jaw sparring and rubbing shoulder to shoulder with Shadow, Denali and Grizzer. He even has him moments with Maya. One of the staff observed that Maya was on her back on top of the den hill, Aidan was doing his typical foreleg stab towards Maya, when she started to slide down the hill on her back, Aidan rode her like a surfboard.
Denali has been quite active, and much more testing of not only Shadow and Maya, but of staff as well. This testing behavior involves him jumping up or riding up on another wolf or human, and generally showing some interest in gaining some status. Shadow's response is fairly instant dominance, but it seems to be wearing on Shadow's tolerance.
If you look at this week's photo, you will see Grizzer still submissive to Shadow, but there's a look in his eye that's a bit more intense. The behavior is an avert gaze, but it's not a passive look. Grizzer has been having the hardest time with this heat, he has more mass of body and hair to shed. He is extremely tolerant of brushing and of most handling. We did vaccinate all wolves this week, well, except Shadow, who knew we had the syringe before we entered the enclosure. Grizzer was the first to get his vaccination, in the Youtube video to be posted later today, he submitted to me while I was trying to give the shot. This is a bit problematic when trying to give a Subcutaneous injection. He did have two wolves supervising, making him a bit cautious.
Aidan has the least amount of winter coat, making him the most comfortable in this unusual spring heat. Temperatures have reached the upper 80's, which is not very common for Northern Minnesota. We have noticed a difference between Denali and Aidan related to swimming preferences. Denali frequently goes for a swim, while Aidan is much more reserved, staying at the edge of the pond. This could be related to pack status and comfort. A low ranking wolf may not be comfortable in having a quick escape when chest deep in the pond. Aidan finds other ways to keep cool, he is frequently in a dug den at the upper enclosure, coming down to greet with a head full of sand.
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