All relaxed and fine. Ointment on all, Malik and Shadow received extra quiet time in the holding pens. Brushing and greetings from staff were well received today.
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Shadow and Malik observed scratching ground after urinating and defecating. This was the first time this marking behavior was observed.
Pups are laying on straw bed on hillside, traditionally used by Mackenzie. Lucas and Lakota are together on the straw bed by the greeting rock. Mackenzie later shares the hillside bed with the pups."
Noticed frequent urination, increased water consumption, and frequent squatting without urine flow on both MacKenzie and Lakota; attempts were made to collect a urine sample, but not an easy task on wolves. Both females were sensitive to the touch, and aggressively growled when attempts were made to inspect lower stomach, genital area. Since both have a history of bladder infections, both females were started on SMZ/TMP for treatment. A seven day dose was prescribed by the veterinarian. This may be a reoccurring issue with older females that have a leaky bladder. The next complete physical exam that requires chemical immobilization will have some detailed tests on hormone levels of these older females.
Meds to all, Shadow continues to hesitate when going into the pack holding area, but comes as soon as the vitamin/meatball bowl appears. This is important for the wolves to willingly go into a smaller holding pen for veterinary treatment and facilities maintenance. Sometime during the past winter, Shadow may have had a negative experience with the enclosure, causing this hesitation. When working with wolves, staff must always be mindful of negative conditioning.
Staff brought two of the new pups to the fence to meet Shadow and Malik; Shadow and Malik were very interested in the pups, whining and showing very submissive behaviors. After a few minutes with the pups, Shadow regurgitated a small amount of food; later in the pack holding area, both Malik and Shadow began expanding a dug hole that had been previously dug in the pack holding area.
Meds to all, all look very good. During the day, staff noticed Malik and Shadow becoming very vocal when the retired pack became active (noticed the increased activity of the retired wolves on an internal monitor – with no human presence near the fence) All wolves howled around four or five times, no further digging in the retirement enclosure.
Malik and Shadow are weighed once again. Both continue to gain muscle and body strength. Four pounds were gained per wolf since July 1st. MALIK Weight: 19.5 lbs. Length: 39" (tip of nose to end of tail) Canine length: 1/2" SHADOW Exact same stats as Malik ! Nancy Weiss writes: (first Pup Nanny for the summer) "The pups beauty is striking. Muzzles are already lengthening and their noses are large. Their eyes are round, curious and fringed with delicate lashes. Their faces are exotic and elegant. Their feet, my gosh, are already huge. Their oversized feet and long muzzles combined give them a winsome, cartoonish appearance. Malik noticed a butterfly today (7/8/00). They're both paying more attention to living things, objects, other humans and of course, the adult wolves."
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."
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