Fed Lakota one pound of beef and placed a beaver carcass near the den hole. Staff isolated the yearlings from 9am – 2pm so Lakota could eat in peace. All wolves very calm. The yearlings show reduced intensity toward Lakota when released from the pack holding area, but Lakota is still intimidated from the last dominance struggle (see 12-27-01 log). While her physical wounds have healed, she may need significant time to overcome her anxiety about the yearlings. Normal tensions in the pack may calm after the winter season or when the yearlings reach sexual maturity, but the use of Chlomipramine has certainly made the yearlings less obsessed with asserting rank order. Lakota just needs time to overcome her anxiety. Until she feels relaxed and freely moves throughout the enclosure, wolf care staff will continue to address her needs while she spends time in the upper wooded portion of the enclosure.
Fed a Beaver to Lakota, isolated the yearlings for several hours, so Lakota could eat undisturbed. Observed Lakota chasing ravens off the remaining carcass; this is the first real play behavior observed in Lakota since New year's day when she followed the alpha's in pursuit of the yearlings. All wolves seem healthy, and are experiencing their first real cold weather this winter. Temperatures are predicted to be 20 below zero by the end of the week. Wolf care staff continually maintain several straw beds for all wolves, although the coats on the wolves are very thick and they don't seem to notice the cold. Straw was placed in Lakota's den hole; the tunnel extends at least 5 feet underground to a 4×5 crawl space. With the placement of the new straw, Lakota had packed down a very comfortable bed deep in the tunnel.
Part I of a several part discussion summarizing current pack dynamics: Lakota continues to do well staying near the den hole in the upper enclosure, but is reluctant to come to the front of the exhibit when Shadow and Malik are active. Malik and Shadow are drawn into the pack holding area daily for Chlomipramine and Vitamins. Several days a week, we extend their daily stay in holding to allow Lakota freedom of movement throughout the enclosure. Since they were raised in the pack holding area, they seem very comfortable with their time away from the pack. Also, the Chlomipramine use on the yearlings has decreased their obsession with Lakota and the pack behavioral dynamics are much more relaxed than earlier in December. With the yearlings less obsessed over dominating Lakota, they seem to be involved in more pack play behavior with the alphas, Mackenzie and Lucas.
Part 2. Keeping the omega isolated or restricted during the winter months (hormonally driven breeding season even for spayed or neutered animals) is not an uncommon thing. Last winter Lakota used the lower den in the front of the exhibit and wasn't allowed to go to the top of the hill. This winter, she chose the upper den and now is restricted in coming down the hill. In reviewing the logs from the spring of 2001, we saw much more relaxed behavior toward the omega as the spring approached. We anticipate this occurring again in the spring of 2002. Lakota is fed and watered in the upper enclosure and interacts well with the alpha's when she has the opportunity.
Part 3. One issue the wolf care staff needs to be aware of is the issue of rank order of wolves and greeting appropriate to rank order. In other words, greet the alpha's first, then the lower ranking wolves. If staff pays a lot of attention to the omega in front of higher ranking wolves, they can cause the higher ranking wolves to redirect aggression to the lower ranking wolves. When staff interacts with Lakota, they should be conscientious of what the yearlings observe. It's best to interact with her in the wooded portion of the upper enclosure or behind some of the rocks in the enclosure. If too much attention is paid to the omega while the yearlings are in the pack holding area, they will chase after her and drive her back up the hill. Since the Chlomipramine, these chases have been short-lived, but are greatly influenced by staff actions.
Daily routine of feeding Chlomipramine to yearlings, Vitamins to all wolves, Cosequin to Mackenzie (identified in log as CVC) continues. Vermilion students Damon Haan and Mark Baker assist with CVC. Damon and Mark watch Malik, Shadow and Lucas in pack holding area while Jen Westlund goes to top of hill to give Lakota her vitamins and do a daily physical check. After the yearlings and Lucas went back into the pen, they did not go see Lakota, but stayed near Mark and Damon.
Lakota ate one pound of beef in a warm broth since temperatures were well below zero today. CVC to all. When the yearlings were released from the pack holding area, Lakota stayed down for several seconds watching them until Malik began a slow stalking behavior toward her, then she went up. Dynamics seem quite relaxed today with several play bouts between Malik, Shadow, Lucas and Mackenzie. Lakota is observed in a play bow from the top of the pen, but not getting involved in the full pack play.
CVC to all. When Malik and Shadow were held off, Lakota was very reluctant to come down. Surveyors were outside the pen, laying out the dimensions for the new garage to be built this spring. Since these wolves are generally viewed from inside the building, presence by strangers outside the enclosure fence can be intimidating. Lakota refused food and nervously watched the surveyors. Curator, Lori Schmidt, placed a deer rib cage and front leg at the top of the hill for Lakota. Staff will feed Lakota her vitamins later, when things are quieter outside of the enclosure.
CVC to all fed Lakota fresh venison today. Mackenzie is becoming more active in taking food from Lakota, so she may go into the pack holding area with Lucas and the yearlings. Curator, Lori Schmidt, has been reluctant to isolate Mackenzie, since she is a bit more intimidated with the holding area than the other wolves. As the alpha, staff needs to avoid putting Mackenzie in an intimidating position that the yearlings may perceive as a weakness. So far, Lori has been able to provide Lakota enough food without to much problem.
Lakota gets mobbed by other wolves when she received attention from wolf care staff, Lakota forced to retreat to the den site, SD follows Lakota into den and continues aggressive dominance."
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