This is a photo of the tree that split in the Retired Enclosure
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Did enclosure check, noticed wild wolf tracks on back side of outer perimeter fence, this could explain the long bouts of howling heard from the captive wolves early in the morning. MacKenzie sure looks like she's defending her territory.
The pups were given a taste test this morning to determine food preference. They were given the options of ground beef, beaver, venison, and bone dust. The pups showed a strong preference for beaver meat and so staff put a beaver carcass in the pen for the pups to eat. Initially they all took their time in getting down to the carcass. Grizz stayed on the carcass longer than his littermates, but all pups fed on the carcass throughout the course of the day. Grizz decided cool off from the hot day by taking a swim in the pond. While he was swimming he was also chasing his tail and having a good time. Grizz has really taken very well to the pond and he is seen much more frequently in the pond than the other four ambassador wolves. As fall approaches and the Curator goes back to full-time employment at the college, wolf logs will be posted only once a week.
Shadow continues to interact with the pups more frequently than Malik. It seems Shadow has taken on the role as caregiver and it is becoming more clear that Shadow is likely asserting himself as the alpha male of the pack. The pups also seem to pay more attention to Shadow than Malik which is another indication of Shadow's dominant role. Like Malik, Shadow also left the beaver carcass alone so the pups could feed. As fall approaches and the Curator goes back to full-time employment at the college, wolf logs will be posted only once a week.
Today was the first time the pups were fed as part of the pack with the Artic wolves. Malik and Shadow started eating first, but when Grizzer exhibited food begging behavior the Artic wolves backed off to let the pups eat. Grizzer chewed on the deer carcass for quite awhile before running off to play.
Today during the first feeding, Nyssa showed again signs of dominance toward her packmates, Grizzer and Maya. Malik and Shadow were not excempted. Nyssa claimed property of the carcass and snap and snarled at everyone who tried to come closer to the deer, including Shadow. He let her eat in peace, but on some times, he tried to get some food.
Today shadow spent most of his day dominating Malik. He started in the morning feeding and then any time he could chase him, he did so. He even allow the puppies to join the dominance. Specially Grizzer, who chased Malik, whenever Shadow was with him.
MacKenzie has been doing very well. There's been no signs of reddness or irritation since the medical exams and while it's too early to tell, there appears to be signs of improvement in her right eye. Here coat is developing well for the upcoming winter season. For 12 year old wolves, they still have a very silky, glossy pelage.
MacKenzie is doing well. She continues to have some lipid deposits in her right eye, but so far, the eye drops seem to help. All of the retired wolves are scheduled for a medical exam in October (when cooler temperatures will make the exam easier on the wolves). Veterinarians are planning a more complete examination and possible treatments to reduce the advancement of these deposits. Staff have noticed her sensitivity to quick movements and she generally stays out of the sun (and the view of the webcam) and retreats to the shaded part of the enclosure. Last week, she defended a cache of venison in the far corner of the pen, keeping wolves and humans to the front of the pen.
Malik recently killed a chipmunk in the enclosure and brought it over to the puppy gate. He didn't eat it, but proceeded to scent roll on the carcass. Maya became very stimulated with this behavior and intently watched Malik. Malik seems to be more interested in play behavior with the pups, and shows less whining behavior toward the pups than Shadow. He is often at the chainlink fence, rubbing his body against the fence while the pups run along with him on the other side of the chainlink. Malik will attempt to put a paw through the gate to touch the pups while they are on their way to the daily programs.
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