The pups had been visible to, but separate from, the adult wolves since the pups arrived at The International Wolf Center in Ely, MN at the end of June, 2000. On August 9, 2000, early in the morning, Shadow and Malik were introduced into the adult's enclosure and started along the path of becoming members of the pack. The pup introduction to the adults was carefully planned to avoid shifting the hierarchy dynamics of the existing pack. While the pups were in their overnight holding pen, Lakota and Lucas were each lured into separate holding areas. Then the pups' holding pen was opened to the main enclosure, and the pups ventured out to explore and greet MacKenzie. The pups ran around alternately exploring and greeting MacKenzie by licking her muzzle and smelling her. MacKenzie responded well to the pups, smelling them and following after them as they explored. After about 15 minutes, Lucas was let out of his enclosure and he joined the smelling/licking/chasing romp. The pups continued to explore the new sights and smells of the main enclosure. When Lakota was released from her pen, she investigated the pup enclosure at length before greeting the pups, apparently searching for food scraps.
Archives
As the next few hours unfolded, the interactions among the animals ranged from complete submission of the pups to the adults, to defensive snaps from the pups to the adults. The pups are learning their new subordinate role in the pack structure. At times, the pups were observed climbing over MacKenzie while she rested, muzzle mouthing each of the adults, racing through the grass in the enclosure, and getting mouthed around the torso by the adults. Dave Mech commented that it seemed like Lucas was using his mouth to attempt to pick Shadow up by the torso, a behavior he had not observed in adult males before. (Note that Lucas' mouth fit nearly all the way around Shadow's torso!) Other behavior observed included active submission/roll over behavior by Malik to all of the adults, occasional submission by Shadow to the adults. Malik dominating Shadow, Shadow snapping at Lucas with Lucas jumping away, and general romping and exploring. Shadow's snapping might be attributed to his insecurity with the adults, but it could also be related to the defense of a bone he found in the enclosure. Wolf care staff anticipated this sort of pup behavior while the young ones are establishing a place in the pack structure.
As the next few hours unfolded, the interactions among the animals ranged from complete submission of the pups to the adults, to defensive snaps from the pups to the adults. The pups are learning their new subordinate role in the pack structure. At times, the pups were observed climbing over MacKenzie while she rested, muzzle mouthing each of the adults, racing through the grass in the enclosure, and getting mouthed around the torso by the adults. Dave Mech commented that it seemed like Lucas was using his mouth to attempt to pick Shadow up by the torso, a behavior he had not observed in adult males before. (Note that Lucas' mouth fit nearly all the way around Shadow's torso!) Other behavior observed included active submission/roll over behavior by Malik to all of the adults, occasional submission by Shadow to the adults. Malik dominating Shadow, Shadow snapping at Lucas with Lucas jumping away, and general romping and exploring. Shadow's snapping might be attributed to his insecurity with the adults, but it could also be related to the defense of a bone he found in the enclosure. Wolf care staff anticipated this sort of pup behavior while the young ones are establishing a place in the pack structure.
Lakota was very playful while Curator Lori Schmidt was shoveling snow. Lakota exhibited a playbow and spent time chasing around the pen. New straw was placed in the enclosure and Lakota bedding down for the night.
Malik has had some calmer weeks, there doesn't seem to be as much focus on him as in previous months. The difference is that Denali is keeping Grizzer busy, and Shadow puts Grizzer down if he shows dominance. Unfortunately, Malik continues to enter into the mix showing some dominance towards Grizzer. Typically, this colder weather would bring more focus to the lower ranking wolves in the form of redirected aggression, but Malik is getting some relief as the male rank order and the maturing of Denali has taken a priority in pack dynamics. Of course, staff need to be watchful of the redirection from Grizzer, if there's been a lot of dominance and testing of Grizzer, he needs to have an outlet or he will redirect to Malik.
The wolf puppies made their journey to their new home at the International Wolf Center in Ely, Minnesota on June 29. They slept most of the trip minus about 20 minutes of intense playing with each other. The International Wolf Center staff vigorously greeted the pups for about half an hour with enthusiasm displayed from the humans and pups. Nancy Gibson, who raised the pups, greeted the three resident adults wolves to allow them to smell the puppies on her clothing and shoes for the first step of introducing the pups. The adults are also socialized by humans and sniffed every inch of Gibson's apparel. Step two was to bring the pups to the fenceline separating the adults and pups. The adults raced to the fenceline to inspect the pups. The pups were initially scared by the eager canine reception and crawled up on their handlers legs and curled their lips with a slight growl. That didn't deter the adults as they whined and wimpered for the pups. The alpha male, Lucas, fought off his lower ranking packmate for attention from the pups while his body bellowed a welcome whine. The initial meeting was a success. All wolves produce a nurturing hormone called prolactin during the summer to stimulate all pack members to care for the pups. The wolves were living up to their reputation as being good mothers. The pups were then placed in their new spacious enclosure adjacent to the adults with a single fence and dig out wire between them while they are fed several times daily and to finish the critical socialization process. It is important for the adults and pups to watch, smell and hear each other for the next 6-8 weeks before they are placed in the same enclosure. The following day the pups and adults were licking each other through the fenceline. The pups are in view at the Center four times a day. KARE TV followed each step and will air the segment on July 9, 2000.
The wolf puppies made their journey to their new home at the International Wolf Center in Ely, Minnesota on June 29. They slept most of the trip minus about 20 minutes of intense playing with each other. The International Wolf Center staff vigorously greeted the pups for about half an hour with enthusiasm displayed from the humans and pups. Nancy Gibson, who raised the pups, greeted the three resident adults wolves to allow them to smell the puppies on her clothing and shoes for the first step of introducing the pups. The adults are also socialized by humans and sniffed every inch of Gibson's apparel. Step two was to bring the pups to the fenceline separating the adults and pups. The adults raced to the fenceline to inspect the pups. The pups were initially scared by the eager canine reception and crawled up on their handlers legs and curled their lips with a slight growl. That didn't deter the adults as they whined and wimpered for the pups. The alpha male, Lucas, fought off his lower ranking packmate for attention from the pups while his body bellowed a welcome whine. The initial meeting was a success. All wolves produce a nurturing hormone called prolactin during the summer to stimulate all pack members to care for the pups. The wolves were living up to their reputation as being good mothers. The pups were then placed in their new spacious enclosure adjacent to the adults with a single fence and dig out wire between them while they are fed several times daily and to finish the critical socialization process. It is important for the adults and pups to watch, smell and hear each other for the next 6-8 weeks before they are placed in the same enclosure. The following day the pups and adults were licking each other through the fenceline. The pups are in view at the Center four times a day. KARE TV followed each step and will air the segment on July 9, 2000.
The pups were introduced into the exhibit pack today. The following is a summary from the Behavioral Observation Team. Behavioral Observation team members: Team 1: Carol Moore, Joyce Powers, Debra Mendrick Team 2: Claire Belle, Jeanette Howard, Kara Milnes Team 3: Jessica Reihing, Susan Toochin, Dari Quirk, Kristine Radermacher Pups are choosing to sleep near Mackenzie ( ranging from 6 inches to 5 feet distance) and sometimes Lucas. Pups appear to run to Mackenzie when fearful or when being chased by Lakota and Lucas. Generally, when the pups are restless, Mackenzie whines and approaches the pups until they lay down, at which time, she circles them and then lays down in the same general area. Several times during the observation shift, after Mackenzie demonstrated this behavior, Lucas attempted to approach and Mackenzie stood up, flattened her ears and Lucas retreated. During one of the encounters, Mackenzie curled her lip and barred her teeth at Lucas, again he retreated rather than approaching the pups.
Pups were weighed on Sunday August 13th and Shadow weighed 38 pounds with Malik weighing in a 37 pounds. Another weight will be recorded on Saturday, August 19th, which will also be the first pack feeding of a complete deer carcass. The Ely staff are all looking forward to that day and will provide detailed notes of the interactions.
Earlier in the day, 2 Turkey Vultures flew over the enclosure at tree-top level. Shadow responded with tucked tail and began pacing. Mackenzie ran to the Northeast fence-line where Shadow was pacing, quickly sniffed him, paced the same area, then charged the fence-line into the woods. The entire pack followed, with Shadow more anxious than the rest. Wolf Care staff investigated the area for evidence of human or animal activity, but didn't detect anything. Shadow later settled down and slept by the enclosure entrance gate. But later in the day, Wolf Care Staff member Peter Kramer came outside to visit the puppies and observed a wild wolf pup within 5 feet of the exterior enclosure fence (directly behind the bleachers). The presence of this pup may have been a stimulus for the anxiety by Shadow and subsequent charge by Mackenzie and the pack up the Northeast fence line.
The International Wolf Center uses science-based education to teach and inspire the world about wolves, their ecology, and the wolf-human relationship.