Prior to Shadow's release, Lucas and Malik were brought into the pack holding area to interact first, hoping to calm Shadow before his release. Staff also placed some distractions in the pen (raccoon urine, rabbit urine, cat food etc.) to focus the wolves on the unusual scents rather than each other (THANKS TO THE WILDLIFE SCIENCE CENTER FOR THAT TIP…) The distractions worked great, they spent time scent rolling and investigating throughout the enclosure. Mackenzie is very jumpy around Shadow and appears to be fearful of him, but she has regained full status over Lakota and Lucas and Malik have stopped tag teaming her. Mac does follow Shadow around closely, but avoids direct eye contact if he turns to face her. She appears to be avoiding a confrontation. The night of the 12th, we planned to isolate the yearlings to avoid any overnight fights, but we are concerned about heightening frustrations if they aren't allowed to work things out themselves.
As we predicted, Shadow and Malik were rather intense towards Mackenzie between the fence this morning prior to their release back in the enclosure. We will likely not isolate again unless there is another emergency. When the yearlings spend time together, they seem to re-enforce each other and are more likely to tag team. Things were calm all day, although Shadow and Mac are avoiding each other. We have decided to reduce any stimulus that resulted in a fear response from Mackenzie. We reduced any outside visits to the fence except by wolf care staff, approved students and interns. We also are back on a routine of regular wolf checks. There is a noticeable difference in Mackenzie's behavior when she gets attention from wolf care staff, she is much more confident and shows much less fear response toward Shadow.
Evening feeding program was less than exciting. All wolves disinterested in food and carcass was left untouched at 7 pm. This is due to the fact that during the isolation of the yearlings and subsequent reuniting of the pack, we decided to keep an unlimited food supply so aggression over food wouldn't contribute to an already tense situation. Now that things are calm, the feeding schedule will resume to the normal pattern of once a week carcasses. The unseasonably warm days in November also contributed to the lack of interest in new food, generally we have a lot of snow on the ground and cold weather that stimulates interest in food. Weather, behavior of wolves and amount of food available make it difficult to predict how a feeding program will progress.
Mackenzie appeared skittish and sore (stiff hips) with the recent snow (yesterday 3 inches). There was no noticeable injury, but seems to be the same response to cold last winter. Hip x-rays taken on Mackenzie in April 2001 didn't indicate any signs of dysplasia, actually Dr. Hanson said everything looks good. This could just be age related stiffness, Mackenzie, Lucas and Lakota were 8 years old in April, 2001. We will start Mac on Cosequin® which combines glucosamine HCl and chondroitin sulfate for maintaining optimal joint function. I want to thank year 2000 Wolf Nanny Dr. Carolyn Davis, who donated the Cosequin
Shadow seems to be more successful in dominance sessions and Malik seems to be on the receiving end more often. Data from the new logs shows a 4 to 1 chance that Shadow will be on top in a dominance display. This will continue to be monitored throughout the winter. Although Lakota still gets mobbed by Mackenzie and Lucas, it appears that Malik is also on the receiving end of more chase scenes this week than last week. These interactions may even require Lakota or Malik to take refuge in the den to attempt to jaw spar with the pack. The chase scenes usually last less than 5 minutes before the pack is off chasing a squirrel or finding a deer hide to play with, but the addition of the pups was bound to change the dynamics of the Center's pack of three. It's always important to remember that wolf behavior is motivated by instincts that were selected for life in the wild. One of the most important behaviors to wolf pack dynamics is the social dominance hierarchy. These behaviors are alive and well in captivity and should be recognized by those who monitor their behavior. Jen Westlund and Kim Klosterman weighed the pups while they were in the holding area for the pups feeding on October 6th. The pups weighed 62 lbs. and were a handful to weigh. Weight data may continue, but it may be dependent upon the tenacity of the wolf care staff.
Curator's note: For those interested in the progress of Lucas, his condition of Vitiligo appeared to be reoccurring with pink spots observed on his nose and pads in mid October. These spots occurred during the construction project when we were unable to maintain the vitamin supplement due to logistical problems with the secondary fence. Since the daily vitamin routine was re-initiated in late October, we have observed no advancement or further pigmentation loss. His activity level remains high and he has taken a very active dominance role over the yearlings. While there is no direct evidence that the vitamins have an impact on Lucas¹s condition, the staff have observed little pigmentation loss this winter and his activity level remains extremely high. Last year at this time, Lucas had begun to lose pigmentation in his nose, pads and lip and became very lethargic. Mackenzie¹s hips appear less stiff than last winter, again, no direct evidence, but this is the first winter we have used Cosequin. Thanks for reading the logs over the past year, please feel free to contact me directly with any questions. Curator@wolf.org
Started Shadow on 75 mg of Chlomipramine, will do a short test to observe interactions between the fence with Mackenzie to determine if this is a viable option. Lucas is again showing pigmentation loss on his nose. We are monitoring this and note similarities to last fall. A tissue biopsy of Lucas's nose taken during the April 2001 medical exams revealed a tentative diagnosis of Vitaligo. There was anecdotal evidence that daily vitamin supplements helped Lucas's condition, so we continue daily vitamins to all wolves. Mackenzie is holding her ear more upright and continues to get ear washes by wolf curator, Lori Schmidt. Shadow initiates play behavior towards wolf care staff when they visit him in the pack holding area. He show's aggressive growling toward Mackenzie through the fence, but his tail remains tucked the whole time.
Ointment on all wolves daily and vitamins to all wolves daily. Use of holding pen seems very successful, able to isolate Lakota for special needs without having trouble with the yearlings. It is important to note that the Yearlings need to be drawn off the main enclosure first by putting them in the pack holding area, then draw Lakota into the smaller holding pen. This will avoid the Arctic yearlings mobbing her from behind when she goes in. Also, Lakota needs to be the first wolf out of the holding pen, so the yearlings aren't outside of the gate waiting to mob her. Lakota is very wary of the yearlings presence and avoids being in an area that makes her vulnerable.
Much cooler today, wolves seemed more active. Didn't apply ointment because of cooler weather. Vitamins were given to all wolves (daily routine), began supplementary feeding Mackenzie, 10 lb.. of beef due to her shyness toward the viewing windows at the feeding program. Mackenzie hasn't been actively feeding at the time of the programs and by the time the program is over the yearlings have eaten most of the carcass. Lucas and Lakota seem to be able to deal with the program much better than Mackenzie. Supplemental feeding will be continued on an as needed basis."
Feeding program- Shadow, Malik and Lakota claimed carcass, Lakota fed for 20 minutes with the yearlings, then the yearlings began chasing the adults from the deer. After the public left, a beaver was fed to allow Mackenzie an opportunity to feed. Malik and Shadow claimed the beaver with Lucas. After 5 minutes, Lucas left the beaver. Lakota approached beaver, but Malik charged her displaying aggression and Lakota submitted, Malik left her to go back to the beaver. Lakota approached again and both Malik and Shadow aggressively dominated her. Lakota displayed loud whines and yelps, and after 15 seconds, Malik and Shadow went back to feed on beaver together." Mackenzie ended up eating the remaining deer carcass later that night while the yearlings were occupied with the beaver.
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