Nyssa has had her fair share of Maya's dominance, especially since Maya came into heat. She seems to take it quite well, and if Grizzer's willing to help, Nyssa seems to do a good job of giving a bit of dominance back to Maya. Nyssa shows no signs of coming into heat, and has settled into the role of lower ranking female.
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Shadow's been demonstrating some great behaviors this winter. As the wolf care staff, with the great assistance of Ann Rasberry, have completed the IWC ethogram, Shadow's been demonstrating most of the behaviors. This week's photo show's an intense stare from Shadow to Malik.
Shadow is taking his role as the pack leader very seriously. He seems to have established his dominance over Mallik, and Grizzer gives him no grief. The females have their own issues, and Shadow seems to be favoring Maya during their disputes. It will be interesting to see if the female role is established this winter and if Shadow has anything to do with it.
Staff been having a few issues with Nyssa. She's a snappy little female and I don't mean how she dresses. She has a habit of snapping when she gets excited. Usually, the snaps are directed to dead air space, but every once and a while, that space is close to a human's chin. Nyssa has also become adept at jumping from rock to rock and has even taken a few leaps onto the staff's back. She may be small, but that doesn't mean she isn't noticeable.
I hope you all had a great holiday season. The wolves weathered the holiday well considering the December 26th – 9 am wolf check was -34 degrees below zero. On New Year's day, nearly 10 inches of snow fell creating a great diversion for the wolves (the pups love fresh snow) and many hours of work for the curator. Enjoy the winter photos…
Grizzer is doing extremely well, and is really gaining muscle mass. He's as tall as the arctics and has proven to be a bit of a handful for some of the handlers. He has a good relationship with the Curator and seems to be kept under control when she's present. Level 1 handler, Jim Ziburski caught a northern while ice fishing and saved if for Grizzer. It's one of Grizzer's favorite treats to get a frozen fish.
MacKenzie's eye seems to be doing extremely well since the medical exam. She continues to be the dominant force in the pack, pinning Lakota when Lakota gets a bit excited. MacKenzie has claimed the far corner of the pen as her straw bed and cache spot. Of all the wolves on site, she tends to be the most expressive in eye contact, facial and body postures. In this week's photo, MacKenzie let's out a yawn showing the jaw spread of an adult wolf. It's no wonder they have the abililty to grasp on to an adult Moose.
Shadow had his favorite exhibit maintenance project completed: staw on top of the den. His favorite spot to watch the parking lot and the exhibit window. Of course, now we received nearly a foot of snow and the straw has to be dug up again, but that's what wolf care staff are for (in Shadow's mind anyway). The wolves seem to have a new spirit with a fresh blanket of snow, especially the arctics.
Lakota is back to her old, playful self. With two doses of antibiotic a day, she seems to be more active and has resumed being the joker of the retired pack. She has been observed spending her time either gnawing on a tasty bone or frozen beef block or playing a game of chase with Lucas around the pen. If anyone is interested in donating to Lakota's vet care bill, please feel free to submit a check to the International Wolf Center 1396 Hwy 169, Ely, MN 55731. Put "Lakota's Vet Bill" on the envelope address as well as on the memo line of the check. Thanks, the retired wolves appreciate your help…So does the Curator.
Of all the wolves in the exhibit pack, Nyssa seems to be enjoying the snow the most. She has been observed in the last week rolling on her back in snow piles, jumping up, play bowing to whichever wolf seems to be nearest and running at breakneck speed toward the den. Her enjoyment of snow usually causes her to have interesting white patterns on her fur, much to the amusement of the Wolf Center visitors.
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