We're witnessing continued confidence in Aidan, and decreased confidence in Grizzer. Maya seems to be indifferent to Aidan's behavioral change, which may be encouraging Aidan's behavior. When the weather warmed, the pack was extremely calm and sleeping in close proximity to one another, but as the wind chill returned today, Aidan appears to be using a following technique on Grizzer.
The Wolf Logs for the week will contain the same text for each wolf. The curator was at a conference during the week, and time is limited for Friday duties. The pack did well in the Curator's absence, it is important that wolf care is not dependent upon one individual, but a multitude of individuals that can meet the wolves' basic needs. There are 16 people associated with the wolf care program and all have their own strengths and skills that help manage the packs. Aidan continues to be confident and Grizzer is still showing some anxiety when Aidan puts his tail in a T-2 posture and follows him. There will be a Vermilion Community College Ethology class beginning some observations, and we hope to have some good data to share by the end of April.
The Wolf Logs for the week will contain the same text for each wolf. The curator was at a conference during the week, and time is limited for Friday duties. The pack did well in the Curator's absence, it is important that wolf care is not dependent upon one individual, but a multitude of individuals that can meet the wolves' basic needs. There are 16 people associated with the wolf care program and all have their own strengths and skills that help manage the packs. Aidan continues to be confident and Grizzer is still showing some anxiety when Aidan puts his tail in a T-2 posture and follows him. There will be a Vermilion Community College Ethology class beginning some observations, and we hope to have some good data to share by the end of April.
Denali's coat is very sleek, with long reddish guard hairs. He is developing well and is as tall as Maya. His ability to guard food is tremendous and he has the courage to take on any wolf except Shadow. Denali and Grizzer continue to be social companions, although Grizzer spends time with both pups.
Lucas seems to be the Retired Wolf with the most signs of aging. He's often stiff when he gets up and seeks the comfort of the straw beds in the denboxes. Since Lakota's dug up a few yards of dirt in front of the denbox, he can now climb on top of the box and lay down. For those of you that remember Lucas in the exhibit, he liked to sit on the Webcam rock and scan the enclosure. Since he's been in retirement, his hips wouldn't support a jump to the top of the box, so Lakota's little excavation project helped Lucas get a piece of his old life back. Lucas and MacKenzie are both on Cosequin supplements for their hips. Lakota is a agile as ever and doesn't appear to need any supplements, although they're all on a Senior vitamin daily. Lucas has always been good about keeping his face out of MacKenzie and Lakota's dominance displays. He still masters the behavior of backing into them with his hind end, usually breaking up the scuffle.
MacKenzie has had a great month. She has had no additional cases of eye irritiation and has been showing no sensitivity to light. I do notice her lying in the sun more often, something she was reluctant to do this summer. It's always a pleasure to greet MacKenzie, she's very social to the handlers. As I write this, I can see her in the retired pack, still laying in the sun on her straw bed. Her favorite day is when wolf care staff deliver new straw.
Grizzer is doing well. His ear infection seems to have subsided with the cold weather, although he still enjoys having his ears cleaned. He's been very playful with the cooler weather. He's been observed grabbing Nyssa by the tail in a few chase scenes. Grizz's bulk keeps him from running too fast. His skeletal structure is much bigger than the other pups indicating the potential for a large male adult frame. It's a good thing he has such a gentle personality. He still trys to sit on wolf care staff as he did when he was a smaller pup, but he doesn't fit very well.
Lucas is doing well, again as I write this, I can see he and Lakota playing a little game of chase in the retired exhibit. Lucas is a bit slower, and tends to wait for Lakota to circle around the den boxes. He then tackles her before she can turn around. Lucas is still using Lakota's dirt piles in front of the den box to climb on the top of the box. He was always prone to sitting on the webrock in the main exhibit, so it's nice to see him back on top in the Retired Exhibit. Again, the view from my office window: Lakota just started a howl, and Lucas started to stalk her and did a play bow enticing Lakota to chase him. They're now wagging tails, and running in and out of the den boxes. Lucas and Lakota both in one box makes for close quarters. Last night was the first hard frost here, the wolves seem to know when winter (what seems to be their favorite season) is approaching.
Malik spent part of today's wolf check caching a leftover beaver carcass. During the summer, appetites are lower often resulting in food left over after the feeding program. Wolf care staff moved the beaver to the upper wooded area of the enclosure to reduce the fly potential, and Malik cached it.
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