Meds to all. The Canine Canteen water heaters are working well this winter, ice free even below zero. During the feeding program, the arctics are placed in the pack holding area so staff can wheel in the food without dealing with the wolves. Earlier this fall, Malik had a negative experience near the holding pen, and seemed anxious and reluctant to enter the pens. They both willingly went into and out of the holding pen tonight for staff member, Jen Westlund. Both wolves seemed interested in food, it's the first cold night of winter with temperatures below zero at the 6:30 pm feeding.
Curator's note: Often Vermilion Community College volunteers assist the wolf care staff with day-to-day duties. During the Saturday feeding programs, students help open remote gates and hold off wolves so wolf care staff can wheel in food without the wolves in the pen. For whatever reason, wolves pick and choose which students they accept outside the enclosure. They can even change their minds, once students spend some time in the program. This appears to have happened to Shadow. Student Omar Spandel has been a regular volunteer for the center helping with a variety of projects including interpretive programs in the exhibit, helping with roadkill, checking the perimeter fence for trees over the fence or snow damage and operating remote gates to move wolves between holding pens. Today, Omar posted the following log: "Today, Shadow seemed very apprehensive with me. I approached the fence this afternoon and he growled a bit. I walked the perimeter fence; all was fine until the end of the trail where the fence gets close to the trail. He growled quite intensely, and seemed pretty agitated, so I backed off and kept walking down the trail. During the feeding program, Wolf care staff member, Nancy Jo Tubbs approached the wolves first. Shadow stayed back and just stared at me. He cruised the fence once and then just watched me, so I didn't approach. I don't know what's up or what I did to bother him. We decided it was best for Nancy Jo to do the gates."
Lakota's foot seems to be better after the short treatment of Rimdayl. A vet visit is scheduled for next week; this may have been a response from over activity or from the intense cold. Wolf care staff has been adding extra straw bales to the enclosure to reduce cold exposure to compacted snow in the enclosure. The vet and the curator will determine the next course of action.
Nancy Jo Tubbs fed the wolves tonight. Larger carcass went to the retired pack, smaller carcass to the arctics. Shadow hesitated by the outer gate of the holding pen; he seems to have been negatively conditioned to the gate. Staff are reminded to be very careful when holding wolves off; it is important that the wolves feel comfortable in the pack holding area. Exhibit maintenance needs require the wolves to be off exhibit, and we want them to be comfortable when being held off.
Good interactions with all wolves. In the corner of retirement enclosure, the ground wire facing the main exhibit was significantly dug up and chewed. All wolves were checked for possible teeth/gum injuries, the only thing noticed was the tip of MacKenzie’s nose looked red and irritated. The ground wire damage could have been a result of a wolf (probably MacKenzie) caching food in frozen ground or maybe an attempt to get to the arctic wolves. This area will be monitored daily and repaired when the ground thaws.
Pups enjoy their first moose leg. Malik and Shadow were both seen tearing and scraping at the leg, just as adults would.
Lucas spent today's check investigating the smells of the new straw beds. He even spent a bit of time chewing the straw before he settled in for his morning nap.
1-23-01 "Mackenzie aggressive dominance toward both pups, because they tried to greet the handlers first. Lucas aggressive dominance toward both pups over small chunk of Beaver remaining from 1-20-00 feeding."
CVC to all. Lucas exhibited aggressive dominance toward Shadow, very intent on following Shadow and keeping him submissive. Malik went right into the holding pen, but when he heard the door sliding shut he turned around and wanted out. Staff let him go in and out several times until he relaxed.
MALIK Weight: 23.5 lbs. Length: 41" Canines: 1/2" SHADOW Weight: 23.5 lbs. Length: 41" Canines: 1/2" Malik seems a bit uncoordinated and continues to work on his mobility and balancing skills. Shadow barked at Malik for the first time. Both pups are showing increased dominance towards each other at various stages. Malik and Shadow have individually gained eight pounds since the first of July. The wolf pups enjoy slices of frozen beaver tail and deer legs as a summertime treat.
The International Wolf Center advances the survival of wolf populations by teaching about wolves, their relationship to wildlands and the human role in their future.