Luna- Medical Update

 “Situational Awareness”…  these two words describe the most important skill in wolf care (well, maybe second behind social interaction), but having the ability to acknowledge the normal circumstances of wolf interactions and assess when something is not quite right.  Wolf care is done 365 days a year; there is always someone caring for the ambassador wolves and every wolf receives a complete visual if not hands-on interaction during wolf care. This is the summary of what we have experienced with Luna in the last few weeks.  Staff had noticed that she wasn’t as willing to allow body work which had been such a critical part of her routine.     She was displaying a lot of antagonistic behavior towards Aidan during a time when we typically see a bit of pair bonding from these two “former Exhibit Pack  leaders”.  The most notable observation was that Luna was not interested in her morning breakfast.  If you have spent anytime near Luna, you would know that food possession is her favorite past time.  This “situation” started in late February. On February 24th, staff documented a spot of blood that could have been the result of a scuffle over a cache or a favorite resting spot (Luna likes a bed in the sun, but so does Aidan).  On any physical abnormality, our USDA Vet Care Plan calls for a consult with our local veterinarian and depending on the circumstance, a course of antibiotics is often prescribed rather than risk anesthesia for a veterinary visit, especially in winter months.   On the 24th, we started a 14-day treatment of antibiotics and staff continued to try to physically assess the status.  Issues were complicated by Luna scratching the area and causing more irritation as well as sub-zero temperatures that increased immobilization and recovery risks (always a risk assessment in any action with captive wolves).  But, it was apparent that we saw limited improvement from the antibiotics and we needed to have a complete veterinary exam.  On the morning of March 12th, staff assembled at 7 am for the immobilization;  Staff discovered what appeared to be a mass on her neck that had ruptured overnight. She was immediately taken to our longtime vet for a 90-minute surgery to remove the mass and provide adequate stitches to aid in healing for a wolf that would not be wearing a protective cone when she returned to her retired packmates.  By noon, she was back at the Center and slowly returning to her old form. She slept in the Wolf Care Center with the wolf curator, and by 3 am, she even showed some signs of food possession, which should surprise none of you!  Luna will have wolf care volunteers staying in the wolf lab to listen and implement “Situational Awareness” through the weekend. 

 

 

 

 

Denali – Staying Strong

Earlier this winter, we had some concerns that Denali maybe showing some signs of aging with weakness in his hips.  Staff began to focus on doing some daily massage work and try diligently to make sure he gets his morning nutritional supplements.  At the Center, all wolves over the age of six years receive some joint supplements to aid with aging conditions.  Denali also has a small lump on his foreleg similar to Aidan’s growth, so we are actively treating Denali with antihistamines to keep this mass cell growth in check.  Despite Denali’s size and ability to possess just about any food that is in the enclosure, he is crafty when it comes to delivery of medication and doesn’t care to possess a meatball that smells like a pill.  He will drop, shake, nibble or lick around the pill, often consuming everything but the pill.  Staff have ingenious methods of delivery that involve chicken skins, butter, bonedust, dried venison cakes and even cream cheese to make sure he gets the resources we think he needs (even though he clearly doesn’t agree that he needs them).  Even though it’s a challenge, staff keep trying.   He does seem to be managing quite well and the frequent chases around the enclosure tell us that he is not ready for retirement just yet.  Even on our record cold of -79 below windchill in January, Denali and the Exhibit Pack showed no sign of slowing down.  We are over the winter hump and as days get longer, we will likely see dominance start to decrease.  If Denali can stay strong into the spring, he is likely going to be an Exhibit Pack member throughout the summer, delaying retirement to next fall or beyond. 

Boltz – Reactive Influence

While staff were carrying Aidan on the stretcher back into the Wolf Care Center, we noticed Boltz observing from the Exhibit fence-line.   Wolves watching activity is not uncommon, the whole pack was there watching, but body postures of the individuals was interesting.  Denali was his typical, “tail wagging, what are staff up to, maybe there’s food” self.  There doesn’t seem to be much that phases that wolf , which is why he is now the oldest pack member we have managed in the Exhibit Pack in our 30-year history of wolf care.  Grayson was whining and was later observed sleeping along the retired wolf fence-line.  This also wasn’t surprising given the strong bond that existed between Grayson and Aidan (which seems to still exist today).  Axel was trying to posture over Denali and Boltz while they were focused on the wolf yard which is common for Axel.  The most interesting observation was Boltz, who was standing at the fenceline with hackles from his neck to his back and a T-2 tail posture.  This straight back tail posture tends to be more of an intense action tail posture, unlike the arousal over the back or the down low wagging of a subordinate.  A T-2 tails seems to have more of a predatory drive.  In our interpretation, Boltz, who was directly involved in Aidan’s loss of status as a pack leader, seemed to be displaying a response posture towards Aidan.  But, the behavior didn’t end after Aidan came into the building, wolf care staff sent out the following notice about a wolf check a few hours later “…Boltz was quite proactive towards the others as far as his assertiveness. Boltz began snarling and charging at Denali and Axel. Grayson had then come over to Boltz where Boltz and Grayson went back and forth for a minute or two. After Boltz continued to try and chase Denali and Axel away, Denali went back to the pump housing and laid down. After Boltz and Grayson ended their interaction of growling, snarling and charging each other, Boltz went over to the pump housing and laid down with Denali.”   When doing wolf care, it’s always important to read behaviors and trace back events that might have influenced interactions.  Aidan’s presence in such a vulnerable position may have reinforced Boltz’s confidence that he had gained when deposing Aidan as the Exhibit Pack leader. 

Aidan – Been Here Before

If you have been following the Exhibit Pack dynamics over the last few years, you know that Aidan had some history with mass cell tumors on his left leg.  He had two previous surgeries to remove a low grade tumor and seemed to be managing well on a treatment of anti-histamines to control its’ return.  Unfortunately, the tumor came back and a second growth a bit higher on shoulder developed quite quickly prompting the Center’s wolf care team to develop and implement a surgical plan.  The photo in this log was taken on January 22nd, and you see only a slight discoloration at the site of the growth.  Approximately one week, later, the growths tripled in size and caused such aggravation that Aidan began obsessively licking them.   Increasing anti-histamines didn’t have an impact, so surgery was scheduled and executed on February 5th.  Aidan did extremely well under immobilization and after a 5-hour recovery time and despite the fact that he had options to access the heated building. he chose to rejoin his Retired Pack outdoors,     The report from the clinic is that the both masses had attached to the muscle meaning complete extraction wasn’t possible and regrowth may occur, although mass cell’s have been known to have a wide array of traits making it difficult to predict.  After Aidan’s sutures heal,  he has been prescribed some immune suppressants to possibly reduce cell growth.  Since stress can impact the immune system, staff are reviewing the signals of canine stress and making every effort possible to reduce any anxiety for Aidan.  We plan to produce a Youtube in the next few days showing some behavioral video that staff interpret when making management decisions.   

Wolf Behavior

Luna – A Posture Showing Relaxation

Luna’s expressions give a good indication of her overall attitude.  Here she is displaying a “Roll on Back” behavior.  This is definitely a “I feel good” attitude.  She has been having a good winter.  With the generous donation of cover hay from Connie and Nick LaFond, we are able to provide  deep layers of cover hay between each snowfall. This is very comforting for Luna and definitely improves her attitude.  After Aidan’s return from surgery, she did have a few moments of posturing, but Aidan took it in stride and Luna gave him his space.  Staff did note a very low throat-ed loan howl from Luna while Aidan was resting in a nearby bed of hay. It was certainly out of character for Luna who usually has high pitched rally howls, but even a short separation of a social pack mate can have an impact.

Grizzer – Watching the Action

As we reported in Aidan’s log and on facebook, Aidan was immobilized and taken to the Ely Vet Clinic for a surgery to remove two mass cell tumors on his leg.  Since Aidan’s retirement in July, Grizzer had re-establsihed his social bonds with Aidan and was very mindful of Aidan’s removal from the facility.  With surgery and recovery, Aidan was out of the Retired Pack for 5 hours and Grizzer was focused on the activities watching from the wolf yard viewing window we designed for the Retired Pack.   As Aidan recovery from surgery, he was allowed access from the wolf care center building to a shared fenceline.  Staff observed Grizzer whining and giving nose to nose greetings with Aidan through the fence before they were successfully reunited later in the day. 

Grayon- Do Wolves Really Sleep?

With the exception of some of our retirees, it is rare to find a wolf that falls into a deep sleep accompanied by snoring.  In most cases, the wolves have periods where they close their eyes, get some relief from the pack life, but even the slightest noise will see them spring into action or the the very least, an alert head and ear posture.  In this week’s photo, Grayson is taking a moment on the rock, but the ears are pricked forward and slightly turned to capture surrounding sounds.  The one exception to the rule of sound sleep might be after a major feeding.  Wolves have the capability to eat a large quantity of meat in one sitting (research estimates ~20% of their body weight).  There is no doubt that a full stomach can override the alert sensors and you may see minimal activity or interest in surroundings in either captive or wild settings. 

Axel – Stand Over

In the wolf world, communication is not restricted to howls and growls, there is a significant amount of body language that is used to express intent and in some cases, conflicting messages.  Axel’s photo is a prime example of a body posture called a Stand Over saying “I am asserting my status” and an ear posture that is Pricked and Turned Sideways that says “I’m not so sure I should be doing this”.  Axel is young,  and with youth often comes a strong drive to test those around them, but he lacks the experience to follow-through, which can create some apprehension.  Denali is on the receiving end of this behavior and as a wolf approaching 11 years of age, he’s seen youthful exuberance before and weathered it quite well. 

Denali – Uncertain Interactions or EPTS

Here is another example of our Ethogram code “EPTS” or Ears Pricked and Turned Sideways.  This body posture is interpreted as one of piqued interest, but a bit intimidated.  Of course, that is Axel with the T-1 tail posture over his back about to face-off with Denali.  Neither of these two wolves seems confident enough to deal with direct confrontations, which can equate to lack of leadership abilities.  Denali has an excuse;  At the age of 10 1/2, he is the oldest wolf we have managed in our Exhibit Pack.  All other wolves in our 30 year history of captive wolf management have been retired by 10 years of age.  Denali can be food possessive and determine who gets to share a carcass with him, but that doesn’t make him a leader.  It only makes him a target at times, by the one wolf that sits, waits and watches for opportunities and that wolf is Grayson. 

Aidan – Tolerance is Tested

It has been such a remarkable experience helping Aidan through the transition of being a deposed pack leader to finding a place in the pack dynamics of retirement.  We witnessed an incredible strength in leadership of the Exhibit Pack, and as he lost confidence in that role, we were concerned that he would lose his willingness to socially interact with the pack.  We soon found out that our concerns were unwarranted.  Not only did Aidan reunite with Grizzer and reestablish the social bond they had as Exhibit Pack mates (2008-2011), but Aidan seems to enjoy (well, tolerate) Luna’s chases, foreleg stabs and preemptive screeches as they run throughout the enclosures.  Visitors to the Retired Enclosure and many viewers of our webinar series have commented on how Aidan has regained a youthful appearance, even noting that his coat coloration seems to be more vibrant.  I guess there is truth in the adage that “one is only as old as they feel” and watching Aidan prance around retirement, he must feel like a yearling.