Chris Williams, Center Intern, observed Shadow in a some great defensive behavior on the deer carcass during and after this week's feeding program. This is good news since he generally avoids the program due to large crowds. Shadow's been much more social with Maya lately and overall seems to be in a great mood, with the exception of the response to the ski meet the other day (see Grizzer's log). He strongly maintains the pack leader position and has been very easy for wolf care staff to work with. He's even been assisting with Grizzer's behavioral modification lesson's when Grizzer decides to sneak up on the camera operator. Shadow is very alert to the activities of the other wolves.
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There isn't much different in Malik's world, even though he doesn't choose to show active submission, he seems to be on the bottom of the male rank order. Chases continue with Shadow taking the lead and Grizzer following close behind. There doesn't seem to be any action when they catch up with him, but Malik sure is nervous to have Shadow behind him. I don't know if Grizzer even realizes he's got status over Malik, probably because the only time Malik respects him is when Shadow is close by. The winter has been extremely calm, even though these ritualized dominance displays can be noisy and quite physical. The behavior is strongly linked to the function of survival in the wild. Packs need to have leaders and the other wolves need to follow or survival is threatened. In captivity, even with plentiful resources, this behavior is very strong.
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.
Part II – Janet Narron's tribute: I had spoken to the curator, Lori, prior to my trip, confirming photography guidelines. As part of the team, she said if I could arrive on Sunday, I would be able to see the pups in their enclosure and take pictures; they would be released into the large enclosure the following morning. I pushed myself to get there, and although disheveled and feeling a bit out of place I found myself in the pup pen with Grizzer (all feet), Maya (all shyness and ear troubles), and Nyssa (all belly). Euphoric as I was, I fumbled around taking pictures of the pups. Lori asked if I wanted my picture taken and I said sure. I was sitting on a stump and figured it would be a shot of me sitting there with wolves napping nearby. I looked up and she handed me Nyssa…my wolf for the week. … I was thrilled beyond description. That moment will never, ever leave me. Without the International Wolf Center coupled with Lori’s unbelievable patience and generosity toward yet another untrained volunteer, I never would have experienced what it feels like to hold a truly wild heart in my hands. To be able to connect with a spirit such as Nyssa’s and to feel the life pulsating through her body against my chest was quite possibly the happiest moment of my life. I would spend the next week watching Nyssa’s every move…when I could find her. Needless to say, it is very difficult to put into words, and of course the tears now flow, but I wanted to try and share a bit of my experiences, as others have shared memories of Nyssa.
Grizzer has been getting a bit of dominance from the pack lately. He's taking it pretty well, and often gets up after a bout and runs back up the hill toward the pack. The interaction generally starts with Maya and Grizzer wrestling, then the arctics get involved. Maya's very skilled at getting Grizzer down. Wolf care staff saw her dunk Grizzer's head in the pond last week.
Lakota has been doing well, she continues to be the most active wolf in retirement. Lately, she's been very focused on the activities in the Exhibit Pack. She's spent a fair amount of time watching them through the fence. When they start a game of chase, she runs up to Lucas and Mac and attempts to get them to chase her. Mac and Lucas usually ignore her, but as the weather cools, they join in.
Grizzer is growing his winter coat in and looking bigger than ever. He's been very excited, especially when the arctics are in the middle of a dominance display. He continues to be hard on the tree growth in the pen, although we are still maintaining 50% survival of the trees planted during the Pups at One Year programs. Given Grizzer's size and motivation to redirect to something, I think that survival is pretty good.
Maya had a period of time where she was a bit shy of staff. We're not sure the cause, but she was reluctant to approach and she would be very timid if staff touched her head. Wolves can be very impacted by negative conditioning, possibly a fly ointment treatment may have caused her to shy away. The biting flies have died down, so daily fly treatment is no longer necessary. It's always important when working with wolves to be aware of the animals response to every encounter.
Mackenzie had some troubles with Lakota yesterday. Lakota sucessfully stole a beaver form Mackenzie and guard it. Today, during wolf care, Lakota instigated a chase play and Mackenzie responded running after her and grabbing her scruff, but as you can see by Lakota's tail position, Mackenzie was not aggressive. Notice in the right corner of the picture, Lucas's leg as he runs around the pen.
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