As the spring progresses here, Denali has become more testing of individual staff. This isn't uncommon behavior for a juvenile male, but something we are addressing. Grizzer had the same behavioral traits and managed to calm down when he was an adult, we are actively working on behavioral cues that trigger this response. One thing we noticed is that staff need to be mindful of turning their back on Denali, he likes to jump from behind, and there are some serious food possession issues. When Denali is hungry, there is no amount of conditioning that he retains.
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Grizzer has been following Denali's lead in testing, which is a handful for staff. When Denali attempts to jump, we have noticed Grizzer watching and sometimes attempting to join Denali on this unwanted behavior. Staff are expected to be able to identify behavioral signs that suggest the energy level in the pack is getting excitable. Fortunately, Grizzer is quick to calm down.
The wolf logs will all be the same today, due to weather priorities… Yes, the weather plays a big part in what we do in wolf care and defines the hazards of the job. Today, we have freezing rain, which creates a hazard for wolf care staff and wolves alike. Staff are very vulnerable in slippery conditions, if a wolf jumps on us, and we fall, this can easily turn in to test. For the wolves, the icy conditions can mean a joint injury. Our job today is to keep the pack calm, and check everyone’s physical condition thoroughly. The wolves are using the dens and there is straw placed under the eaves to get out of the rain. In the videos this week, you will see the pond frozen from snowmelt conditions. Aidan does a stiff leg jump to crack the ice, and Denali comes up with an ice chunk to investigate. Shadow continues to show his leadership as he dominates Grizzer, but Grizzer is showing very submissive postures and is seeking Shadow’s dominance. Grizzer still socially interacts with the pups; Malik still follows Grizzer around looking for any opportunity to get a grab bite on Grizzer. Maya is still stalking and making Aidan nervous, but not as problematic as a month ago. All in all, the pack is well; the only other risk that we are dealing with today is the weight of the ice on tree branches that is starting to make branches break.
The wolf logs will all be the same today, due to weather priorities… Yes, the weather plays a big part in what we do in wolf care and defines the hazards of the job. Today, we have freezing rain, which creates a hazard for wolf care staff and wolves alike. Staff are very vulnerable in slippery conditions, if a wolf jumps on us, and we fall, this can easily turn in to test. For the wolves, the icy conditions can mean a joint injury. Our job today is to keep the pack calm, and check everyone’s physical condition thoroughly. The wolves are using the dens and there is straw placed under the eaves to get out of the rain. In the videos this week, you will see the pond frozen from snowmelt conditions. Aidan does a stiff leg jump to crack the ice, and Denali comes up with an ice chunk to investigate. Shadow continues to show his leadership as he dominates Grizzer, but Grizzer is showing very submissive postures and is seeking Shadow’s dominance. Grizzer still socially interacts with the pups; Malik still follows Grizzer around looking for any opportunity to get a grab bite on Grizzer. Maya is still stalking and making Aidan nervous, but not as problematic as a month ago. All in all, the pack is well; the only other risk that we are dealing with today is the weight of the ice on tree branches that is starting to make branches break.
Shadow has fared the winter well, and we can probably say that he maintains his status as the dominant wolf. We see no signs of testing of his status and he is socially interactive with all the wolves in the Exhibit. Vermilion Community College's Wolf Ethology course is currently conducting observations, with the objective of evaluating frequency of wolf interactions and sleeping associations among individuals. We hope to have their data results by May, 10th, 2009.
Aidan and Denali are one year old today. It is always difficult to believe that an entire year has gone by since the pups first night in the lab. As you can see by Aidan's weight, he is well on his way to maturity. His body structure is deceiving, as he is still inches smaller than Denali, but he's very compact and muscular. Of course, he gets a lot of exercise running from Maya. Both pups were still eager to stand on the scale to get peanut butter, but all the other wolves were eager for the treats as well, so it was not an easy task getting weights. Aidan is getting more comfortable with the transition of new staff back into the enclosure, we are starting to identify some trigger points to help anticipate anxious behavior.
Yes, you read the weight correctly.. 121.25 lbs of fairly calm wolf.. I say fairly calm, because recently Grizzer has started a bit of the old testing behavior towards the curator. It was probably some redirected aggression from external stress around the enclosure. A film crew was on site, which never pleases Grizzer, then a wild wolf has been sighted several times by the retired enclosure. Add a 50 foot tall crane, and even the calmest wolf needs to look for a stress outlet.
Maya has been more relaxed, and has even been observed in social play behavior with Aidan, but she still draws the line with too much pup enthusiasm. Of course, we need to call them yearlings now, as they are one year old today. Maya gained about a pound from last July's weights, and is coming into the summer in prime condition.
Vermilion Community College students assisted with the straw removal, pond cleaning and trenching of the den site, in an effort to help drain an excessive amount of spring snow melt. The students did an excellent job in rainy, cool conditions, while the wolves stayed in retirement eating 3 beaver, and frequently checking on the progress. Upon returning to the enclosure, the pack did a lot of scent rolling in areas where pond water was bailed from the upper pond. Aidan spent a fair amount of time checking the den and the trench project. His video this shows his continual attempt at getting acceptance from Shadow. If we had to predict the strongest, most intense social bond, it would have to be Aidan to Shadow.
Vermilion Community College students assisted with the straw removal, pond cleaning and trenching of the den site, in an effort to help drain an excessive amount of spring snow melt. The students did an excellent job in rainy, cool conditions, while the wolves stayed in retirement eating 3 beaver, and frequently checking on the progress. Upon returning to the enclosure, the pack did a lot of scent rolling in areas where pond water was bailed from the upper pond. Grizzer is most stimulated by the cedar wood chips that are placed in the enclosure after the straw removal. The Cedar is a natural bug repellent, and it does stimulate the wolves to scent roll. Both den sites are covered with the chips, and this is a favorite resting spot for Grizzer. Grizzer's video this week still shows a bit of following behavior toward Malik.
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