Malik has been actively participating in Grizzer take downs with the pups. At this point, it's not too serious, but as winter approaches, Grizzer needs to become more assertive with the pups and be less vulnerable to Malik. A recent behavioral observation group noted that Malik does use Shadow when tensions increase, and often stands next to him if Grizzer tries to redirect aggression. On Friday, all three adult males were together watching the parking lot. The Center's front entrance is under construction, so visitors are entering the office door. This causes the wolves a bit of anxiety as it is different from normal procedure. Wolf care staff will be installing some woven fencing to provide more cover, and hopefully discourage people from walking up to the fence past the roped off area.
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Since the wolf roles of dominance hierarchy tend to be gender specific, Maya doesn't get involved with much of the males rank order issues. She is there to watch, and does interact when the pack is interacting with Grizzer, since he's her littermate. But, Maya generally spends her day, calm and peaceful, until the pups come into her realm. She is still actively dominating them, but has been observed in a submissive roll over with Aidan.
Shadow is doing an excellent job defending this pack. Last week, a wild wolf was observed in the parking lot, headed for the back of the enclosure, and Shadow did a considerable amount of howling and posturing. Then, after the entrance was changed and the visitors to the Center started coming in the office door, he has presented himself on the hillside facing the door, and stays there (on Friday, he didn't move during an entire 5 hour observation period). The other males even join him in this watch. In other interactions, he is strong to dominate and the pups follow his lead well. He and Maya still pair bond and when there's howling bouts, the two of them are usually on the rock together.
The pups are 6 months old today. We didn't get a weight on them since we woke up to 2 inches of snow and ice on the ground and the scale needs a clean, level place for the legs. We will not likely weigh them again until spring. So, the update for the week relates to the stimulus provided to the pack.<br> Every Wednesday, we give some supplemental food to the pack. Even though the pups are fed on a daily basis, an extra feeding during the week is a good distraction and adds calories as the wolves prepare for winter. This past week, we had a bison hide donated from a hunt in the western US. The pups were very excited about the head, and it made for some great behaviors for several days. Aidan was not as aggressive as Denali or Grizzer when possessing the carcass, but he did a lot of food begging behavior towards the entire pack. Aidan uses a very soft muzzle bite to encourage interaction from one of the other pack members. He was quite relaxed as Maya did a ride up behavior on him, and made him submit (see Maya’s log video). In Aidan’s video, you will see him in a submissive posture, rolling over for Grizzer as they approach the bison head.
Mackenzie was enjoying her daily brushing. For a wolf is important to shed in summer, and a little help from the staff is always welcomed. Specially with this hot humid weather. She spent the rest of the day inside the den box or underneath the shade.
MacKenzie continues to watch over the Exhibit pack, and she can often be observed pacing back and forth along the fence. She still rules the retired wolf pen, and enjoys the vantage point from her straw bed in the corner of the enclosure. She continues to do well.
The pups are 6 months old today. We didn't get a weight on them since we woke up to 2 inches of snow and ice on the ground and the scale needs a clean, level place for the legs. We will not likely weigh them again until spring. So, the update for the week relates to the stimulus provided to the pack.<br> Denali has become quite aggressive with food possessions. He is not as likely to be dominated by the pack either, which may be giving him more confidence. In this week’s video clip, you will see Denali do a slightly harder muzzle bite on Shadow as Shadow approaches the bison head. Of course, Shadow is extremely tolerant of the pups when they respond this way. Denali has no problem taking on Grizzer over food, in fact; he’s probably modeling Grizzer’s behavior. Denali managed to get an entire bison leg away from Maya, not an easy feat.
Grizzer has some great food threat displays and lip postures, as shown in his photo this week. What’s interesting about this photo is that Grizzer is defending the bison head from one of the other wolves, while standing over Aidan, not bothered at all by Aidan’s presence or Denali approaching from the side. The pups aren’t the only ones who receive Grizzer’s food possession threats; Maya is likely to get dominated as well, as shown in the video this week.
As much as Aidan aligns with Shadow, Denali aligns with Grizzer, which can have its’ problems, as Grizzer has taught Denali a few bad habits, like pre-feeding destruction, but so far, we are managing it. The pups are still fed on a daily basis except for Sunday after the large carcass is fed, and Wednesday, when we try to give the pups a deer leg or beaver. Last week, we fed a deer leg and Grizzer got it, then we fed another and Maya got it, but Denali doesn’t give up, he food beg to Maya until she gave up and let Denali eat. Aidan needs a few extra feedings as he is not as bold as Denali. Aidan and Denali were 5 months old on Saturday, September 27th.
There was another work crew this weekend, adding upper overhanging wire on the new enclosure fence, and adding panels to increase the fence heights of the existing enclosure. This required Lakota to stay in the pack holding area all day, as VCC student volunteers worked in her enclosure. She did well, lying in the straw in the holding area, occasionally getting up to watch the students. After the work was done, she spent quite a while sniffing where everyone had been. I really want to reiterate how important the Workin’ for Wolves program was this fall. The work completed by this weekend program, truly made a difference in Lakota’s life. The additional space and stimulus of the new area keeps her alert and active. In addition to the daily wolf yard and lab visits, she is very mobile. One of the wolf care staff brought her a grouse on Friday; she was excited to carry it around the enclosures, running the fence line with the Exhibit Pack, and later took it to the back of her enclosure and plucked it. This kind of stimulus will keep her young.
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