Shadow continues to display all the traits of a dominant male. He guards his pack, he keeps watch on the younger pack members, and he's ready to display his dominance if anyone attempts to test him. In this week's photo, Shadow shows high tail in response to Malik's behavior. While both their tails are in high status, Shadow seems to keep his calm. Hackles are the involuntary raising of the hair on the neck, back, rump and even tail in response to a threat, fear or intimidation. While we watch both arctics demonstrate high tail, Malik seems to respond with a hackle position more often than Shadow. This may indicate that he's more threatened, fearful or intimidated by the encounters with Shadow. It takes a lot to get Shadow's hackles up.
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There is no doubt that Maya is a dominant female, even if she's the only female. She's quick to stalk and grab Grizzer when he's attempting to be part of the male rank order and she demonstrates a great Flexed Leg Urination. A behavior done by dominant females, usually a paired marking behavior with the dominant male in the wild.
Written by Lee Williams: It was our Nanny team's turn to escourt the pups into the "Pups 101" program, and after several attempts to entice her, I had to carry a grumpy Nyssa into the building. As usual, she snarled and did her best to look menacing, but once I picked her up, she went as limp as a wet noodle in my arms. We had recently prepared treats for the lecture, which consisted of bones that had been drilled, filled with meat, and attached to lines of rope for easy retrieval from determined pup jaws. We tethered the rope ends to the little fence surrounding the enclosure, and watched as each pup ran to claim their bone. There were only two bones in thepen, and after assessing the situation, Nyssa decided rather than her usual "pounce and claim", she'd try something new. I watched as her eyes followed each rope to where it was tied to the fence. Then, with calculated precision, she went straight for the knots and started to untie them. She actually got one free and yanked it away from her surprised brother. She was such a clever girl. Her beauty, her fierce will and her intelligence will stay with me always.
Behavioral Observation Team Member Janet Narron sent this tribute to Nyssa: It's split in three sections to fit in the space allowed: One year ago this month (August), I took a journey northward to find the International Wolf Center. I was to be a part of the Behavioral Observation Team. Three magnificent wolf pups were to be assimilated into the world of Shadow and Malik, thereby creating a new family, a new pack. The week would be like nothing I had ever known. It is, to this day, my most rewarding trip. As I write this, my IWC identification badge for the week still hangs above my desk. The badges each displayed photos of our assigned wolves for the week…mine reads…Janet Narron—NYSSA. I am not a scientist, or a teacher, or a wolf biologist. I am just someone who has always been intrigued with wolves, although I knew very little about them. Perhaps I was drawn to their mesmerizing beauty or simply their ever-present air of mystery. I was so thrilled, as I drove along unfamiliar roads, to think I would have the chance to be near wolves, to watch them and to photograph them. I certainly never imagined how it would feel to hold one in my arms.
When I learned of Nyssa’s heart wrenching, premature death, I had been checking the website planning to return to take photos. I was amazed at the growth of the pups throughout the year and at how incredibly majestic Nyssa had become. I am not sure what it was I felt as I read the announcement. In shock and sobbing, I read the paragraph over and over. It is truly quite amazing how Nyssa touched so many lives in her one short year on this planet. Each of us can only hope and strive to make such a strong impact on others. I am so very grateful to the IWC for allowing me the opportunity to join Nyssa’s world for a time and the world of her family, both human and animal. Some experiences in life you just never forget. I will never forget the day I held a wolf in my arms. Thank you Nyssa…you are missed. Sincerely, Janet Narron Behavioral Team Observer 2004
Just when we thought the retired wolves were too old to bother the supplies… On Monday, the stock tank in the retired pack was cleaned and refilled with fresh water. The wolves were all sleeping so, Wolf care staff member Jen Westlund and I left the hose in the pen for a minute to go to the lab to update the wolves logs. From the window, I saw the garden hose getting pulled through the fence. Lakota had taken the hose and played a bit of tug of war with the staff before she was convinced to leave the hose and have a meatball. There were no photos of the incident, because the focus was on getting the hose back. But, a lesson was learned, wolves are curious animals, no matter what the age.
Nyssa is shedding more than any other wolf. Her undercoat is a lightish gray, so it tends to be more noticeable. Her coat may appear darker after she sheds the undercoat and is left with the darker guard hairs. She still avoids going into the pond unless she has to, versus Maya who'd like a torpedo (especially if there's a duck in the pond). Maya is the best hunter of them all.
The retired wolves were fed on Friday, May 5th, the night before the immobilization in the Exhibit Pack. This gave them full bellies and a desire to sleep through the commotion of the exam. Wolf watchers observed Lakota going through the motions of howlng with no sound coming out. Possibly a sign of old vocal chords or a full stomach that couldn't take the pressure.
Shadow had a scheduled medical exam on May 6th. His main issues was the status of an ear mite condition he had last fall. His ears appeared mite free, but there was some crusting and debris that required a thourough cleaning. True to Shadow's form, he resisted the immobilization and required several booster shots before coming into the lab. His team consisted of Lori Schmidt, Barbara Roquemore and Maria Bukovich. He weighed in at 95 lbs, equal, but hard to believe, the same weight as Nyssa.
Lucas continues to enjoy the den boxes, despite Lakota's effort to bury them in her excavated dirt pile. He's had to shift to the far box to avoid flying dirt and to get in the doorway. The wolf care staff plans to level off Lakota's pile, but she seems to be enjoying the height advantage it gives her. She can climb on the pile and climb on top of the den boxes, so for the meantime, Lucas will just have to live with the 3rd house on the right.
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