The Behavioral Team completed the observations today, it appears that the introducion was a success. Of all the pups, Grizzer seems most relaxed in the main exhibit, frequenting the pond and spending time staring at little kids in the window. He did a mimicking head bob to a small boy at the window today. The boy bobbed his head, Grizzer bobbed his head. This went on for only a few seconds, but it was entertaining.
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During the first pack feeding, Maya did extremely well. She approached the carcass and started eating, even when Malik and Shadow were pulling from it. She defended her food from his packmate Grizzer, but was very carefull in approaching Nyssa. After chewing on the carcass, she went back to upper part of the enclosure to rest. Here you can see a diamond shape shade on Maya's back than can help differenciate her from Grizzer.
During the feeding, Malik was the second wolf in reach the carcass, after Shadow. He was chewing on it when the pups came and claimed the deer for themselves. Malik backed up and let the puppies eat for a long time. After that, he was walking all over the deer, trying to find a place to sneak and get a piece of deer, when he finally got a place, Nyssa snarled at him and Malik growled back making Nyssa to submit. After that he left the puppies eat and went with Shadow to watch from a distance. He is being showing lots of progress with the puppies, he is playing more and becoming more tolerant of their plays.
During the feeding, shadow allowed all the puppies to eat first. He was watching over Malik and let no one disturbed them. He only tried once or twice to take the deer into the wooden area, but the puppies where pulling in the other direction, so he let it down. There was a moment when the five of them were eating together, but then Nyssa reacted and push away the arctics. Shadow then went with Malik and watch the puppies feeding for about 20 mins before going into the back of the enclosure.
MacKenzie is doing great. She's also been very active with the cooler weather and enjoys the increased feedings that fall and winter bring. The retired pack still looks sleek with a summer coat, but staff notice a daily change to the pelage as the winter coat grows in quickly.
Shadow seems to be feeling better, now that we have the ear mite issue treated. Staff have commented on how much his social contact has increased. The Exhibit is calmest when Shadow feels good.
Lakota continues to be very active and spry in the mornings. She have been very enthusiastic with facial greetings wehn greeting staff in the mornings. She has been observed this week actively submitting to MacKenzie, who has maintained her alpha status into her old age.
Malik had a rough time during the afternoon. Shadow was dominating him most of the time, making him tucked his tail and show some teeth. But what he never expected was that Grizzer took advantage of this and started riding him up. Malik growled at Grizzer several times, but he would just come back and try again. Shadow was dominating Malik for quite a time, he even pin him to the ground and then all the puppies were climbing on him. Malik then ran to the wood part of the enclosure and stood there for almost half an hour.
Nyssa didn't like being mobbed by Grizzer and Maya this morning. Once her puppy mates were distracted, she took off on a run for the woods. She came back later to help Grizzer mob Maya while she was caching some food. Maya went into the pond to get away from Nyssa, since Nyssa is not much of a swimmer. Nyssa figured out that Maya was going to come on the other end, so she ran on the edge of the pond up to the middle rock. When Maya arrived, Nyssa was waiting for her.
Sorry for the delay in postings, the Curator is back teaching at the college and is getting back into the routine of 2 jobs. The pups are doing very well in the Exhibit pack. While weights have not been taken, their appearance shows definite signs of growth. Grizzer looks like he has the potential to be a big male. His size sometimes affects his ability to climb on or stay on rocks. He was first to loose is pup teeth and has permanent teeth have been erupting over the past week.
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