Again, we apologize for the delay in wolf logs, our intent is to post once a week, but wolf care is always the priority over every other job. These past few weeks, the facility and grounds area of wolf care has needed our attention. This season is best known as the ice season, when daytime temperatures create melting, but nighttime temperatures revert back to freezing. Conditions are slippery and hazardous, not only for the staff, but the wolves as well. Thanks to the kind donation of straw from Theresa Williams, the enclosures are getting a fresh layer of straw to increase traction. This is most problematic for the retired wolves, as any slip on the ice can affect older, more brittle bones and joints. The wolves are doing well, and are spending a significant amount of time sleeping in the sun. Lakota seems to have been up to a few other things, as she has a new canine bite on the nose. Staff seem to think the bite was from MacKenzie, but based on our interactions with Lakota, she pushes the limit with both Lucas and MacKenzie.
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Again, we apologize for the delay in wolf logs, our intent is to post once a week, but wolf care is always the priority over every other job. These past few weeks, the facility and grounds area of wolf care has needed our attention. This season is best known as the ice season, when daytime temperatures create melting, but nighttime temperatures revert back to freezing. Conditions are slippery and hazardous, not only for the staff, but the wolves as well. Thanks to the kind donation of straw from Theresa Williams, the enclosures are getting a fresh layer of straw to increase traction. This is most problematic for the retired wolves, as any slip on the ice can affect older, more brittle bones and joints. The wolves are doing well, and are spending a significant amount of time sleeping in the sun. Lakota seems to have been up to a few other things, as she has a new canine bite on the nose. Staff seem to think the bite was from MacKenzie, but based on our interactions with Lakota, she pushes the limit with both Lucas and MacKenzie.
Grizzer's been asserting his status with a bit more authority lately, and the wolves have noticed. If you check out Shadow and Maya's logs, you will see their response to his demonstration of status. Maya seems to be the most inclined to show Grizzzer his place, and she is strongly supported by Shadow. The behavior sequence photographed for the logs actually started with Grizzer doing a playbow, a behavior where one wolf crouches low on their front haunches, encouraging other wolves to chase or interact. Grizzer did manage to stimulate the other wolves to interact, not sure if the result was what he wanted. These dominance rituals may appear intense, but in the nature of the wolf communcation structure, they're just an every day communication. As quick as they are stimulated, they tend to end and the wolves go about their business of finding something else of interest. I posted two photos today, the most interesting distraction has been the melting ice in the pond, Grizzer attempted to pick up a 4 foot sheet of ice.
Sorry for the lack of logs over the past week. The curator was at a State Wildlife Society meeting. It was a great meeting and one of the most important messages from this meeting is the need to preserve contiguous tracts of habitat for species. As the human population grows and land development occurs, we need to always plan for the greenspaces that keep wildlife populations viable. Even in a captive facility, we have a need to manage for vegetation and quality habitat. This weeks photos of Grizzer and Maya prove why this is a challenge, but the Workin' for Wolves programs and the Adults at Two Years programs that are offered this summer, will aid in the endeavor of planting more trees. So, in the interest of getting photos up on the log, all the text will be the same. For each log, all wolves are healthy and during the curators absence, they were in the capable hands of wolf care staff Jen Westlund, Matt Fetterer, Jess Edberg, Andrea Lorek Strauss and Laurie Fella.
Again, we apologize for the delay in wolf logs, our intent is to post once a week, but wolf care is always the priority over every other job. These past few weeks, the facility and grounds area of wolf care has needed our attention. This season is best known as the ice season, when daytime temperatures create melting, but nighttime temperatures revert back to freezing. Conditions are slippery and hazardous, not only for the staff, but the wolves as well. Thanks to the kind donation of straw from Theresa Williams, the enclosures are getting a fresh layer of straw to increase traction. This is most problematic for the retired wolves, as any slip on the ice can affect older, more brittle bones and joints. The wolves are doing well, and are spending a significant amount of time sleeping in the sun. Lakota seems to have been up to a few other things, as she has a new canine bite on the nose. Staff seem to think the bite was from MacKenzie, but based on our interactions with Lakota, she pushes the limit with both Lucas and MacKenzie.
The only notable issue in the logs the past few weeks, was the bite wound under Lakota's left eye. Staff observe Lakota's exciteable behavior that has her racing around the enclosure, jumping on denboxes and her packmates. Lakota clearly is the only retired wolf that doesn't have joint issues. When this behavior gets a bit to much, MacKenzie and Lucas may put her down. From the scar on her face, someone said enough already, but neither MacKenzie nor Lucas showed aggression toward Lakota during the wolf checks or observation periods. The scar is healing well, but is a reminder of the day to day rank order issues inherent to even a pack of 13 year olds. When we finished wolf care today, Lakota was sleeping in the sun atop a den box, the only wolf that can actually climb on top of a box in the Retired Pack.
So sorry for the delay in the wolf logs. Preparation for the Wolf Symposium in Colorado Springs has taken a bit of my time. In addition, protocols and contingency plans during my absence need to be written to ensure that every possible wolf emergency is covered. International Wolf Center members and former nannies, Brian and Ellen Dietz will be driving up from Illinois to spend the weekend at the Center assisting with any pack issues that may arise. I am most grateful for their offer to help keep an eye on the pack. I plan to feed a large deer carcass to both packs on Thursday night prior to my departure. A full wolf is usually a sleepy wolf. Dr Chip Hanson and wolf care staff Matt Fetterer and Jim Ziburski will be monitoring the pack as well.
So sorry for the delay in the wolf logs. Preparation for the Wolf Symposium in Colorado Springs has taken a bit of my time. In addition, protocols and contingency plans during my absence need to be written to ensure that every possible wolf emergency is covered. International Wolf Center members and former nannies, Brian and Ellen Dietz will be driving up from Illinois to spend the weekend at the Center assisting with any pack issues that may arise. I am most grateful for their offer to help keep an eye on the pack. I plan to feed a large deer carcass to both packs on Thursday night prior to my departure. A full wolf is usually a sleepy wolf. Dr Chip Hanson and wolf care staff Matt Fetterer and Jim Ziburski will be monitoring the pack as well.
As winter approaches and hormone levels rise, the wolf care staff have seen an increase in the activity levels of the wolves. During wolf care in the mornings and throughout the day, wolf care staff have observed the wolves chasing each other around the enclosure at full speed. In this photo, Shadow (with a high tail) and Grizzer can be seen chasing Malik across the pond.
Grizzer has a full winter coat and appears to have put on a few pounds. He is definitely trying for status with Malik, and has Malik on the run. So far, no signs of intense dominance. Grizzer has been a bit more active towards the handlers. Last week, when Grizzer did a grab bite on the Curator, Shadow immediately came over to put him down. It pays to be friends with the dominant male. We don't think Shadow was defending the curator as much as keeping Grizzer from gaining status, regardless who he takes on.
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