Aidan has shown some guarding behavior towards the pups. This is a good sign for the pup introduction, but could be problematic for wolf care staff that don't have a strong bond with Aidan. We discovered this last week when the pups were outside on a sunny afternoon. A level one handler approached the fence to pick up Peanut and Aidan jumped and snapped at the fence. When the Curator picked up Peanut, he had no response. During this critical time of social bonding for the pups, we will also need to have core wolf care staff increase their social contact with Aidan. We are happy to report that Aidan is starting to show signs of pigmentation regrowth on his nose. The Antibiotic/vitamin treatment will continue for another month or so.
Denali has significantly increased the amount of time he has spent with wolf care staff, even while Aidan greets. Denali doesn't show as much interest in the pups as Aidan, but is does a few playbows next to the fence. Denali has spent a fair amount of time in the pond and was very active when the upper pond was recently started.
I believe we eluded to the fact that Malik doesn't have as strong of an interest or has had as much change in behavior since the pups arrival. Malik is also influenced by the wolf care staff. There is one staff person in particular that gives Malik a lot of confidence. When Malik gets confidence, he takes opportunities. In his latest bout of testing, he decided to try to grab the Curator's boots while they were still on her feet. The pups had previously chewed the same boots, so there may have been a stimulus of smell. He was unsuccessful in his attempts, but we know Malik will look for another opportunity to possess any item, guarded or not.
Shadow has displayed some unusual behaviors over the last several days. When I went in to feed on Saturday night, he did some unusual mouth displays. They weren't aggressive like a threat display, more like a gag reflex. I checked his mouth for any obstructions and he seemed fine. On Sunday morning, after I spent time with the pups, he sniffed my clothing and did the same behavior. He seemed very subdued as well. When the 2004 litter first met Shadow and Malik, Shadow regurgitated with the stimulus of the pups. It appears that the smell of pups on my close may be stimulating the same response, but without the pups present, it may not be a full regurgitation.
One benefit for Denali is that the presence of pups has made Aidan extremely social. After a pup visit to the yard, Aidan is observed rolling on his back wrapping his front paws around Denali's neck. Of course, in the morning when wolf care come in, there's typical posturing for greeting opportunities with staff. Today is a rainy day, and Denali has chosen to sleep in the slate den, giving visitors to the center a chance to see him. Aidan has retreated to the main den, with no view to the public.
Wolf Care staff at the International Wolf Center have been aware of some instability issues with our new female pup nicknamed Peanut since her arrival. She has developed a significant medical condition involving bone density and growth that is affecting her rear legs. She is undergoing extensive veterinary exams. Until her health issues are more clearly understood and resolved, this Web cam will remain off.<br /><br /> It is important to note that throughout these exams, Peanut has remained alert and in good spirits. She jaw spars with her pup mate and feeds regularly. Her companion wolf pup, nicknamed Bolts, is developing normally and will continue to be monitored twenty four hours a day by pup care staff as part of the planned socialization program.<br /><br /> We hope to know more in the coming days, and will post information through our many media channels as soon as we are certain of Peanut’s condition. Due to the stressful nature of this situation, neither Bolts nor Peanut will attend the events in the Twin Cities this coming weekend. Other programmatic arrangements are being developed for both events at French Regional Park on Saturday, May 19, and Sunday, May 20.
We added a full-spectrum light when she is not outside to trigger the formation of Vitamin D. According to research, when vitamin D requirements cannot be met by diet due to metabolic or absorption issues, direct solar exposure is the most effective method of promoting biosynthesis of vitamin D. If solar is not available, artificial lighting may be a viable substitute. I am now trying to investigate her status and nutrition prior to her arrival on site. We have a lot of questions for the source facility and are still in the process of getting answers. We know (by comparison of Bolts growth) that the nutritional supplements and variety of diet seems to be working for him. She is on a 4-week restricted activity order from the surgeons at the University. We put up a small pen within the main kennel as well as outside so Peanut and Bolts have face to face contact. She is active, feeding well, her coat condition has improved dramatically since we first met her, and she has great spirits. Weights since the last posting <li> 5-8-12 – 9.0 lbs <li> 5-9-12 – 9.0 lbs <li> 5-10-12- 8.8 lbs <li> 5-11-12 – 9.4 (note scale change may affect weight) Day of first x rays<li> 5-12-12 – 9.2 lbs <li> 5-13-12 – 9.3 lbs <li> 5- 14-12 – 9.6 lbs <li> 5-15-12- No weight <li> 5-16-12 – 9.7 lbs U of MN Surgery date<li> No weights 5/17 <li> 5-18-12 – 10.5 lbs <li> 5-19-20 – 10.6 lbs <li>
We have observed a noticeable change in the relationship between Shadow and Malik as it relates to food possession. Malik normally guards and possess most of the food making it difficult to make sure Shadow gets his fair share. Since the pups arrival, there is less guarding of food and we even have surveillance video that shows them eating within 2 feet of each other in front of the den.
As we stated in Bolt's logs, the name the pup contest has started and we appreciate names that fit the wolves personalities. While some people may feel sorry for Peanut because she's smaller and has to keep up with a bigger packmate, but she has an attitude that is much more intense than her size. She is still developing her sense of sight and sound, but she tracks well to wolf care staff. She likes to cuddle up to staff and seeks out Bolts when she gets cold. Her visit outdoors was much more intimidating than for Bolts, but with limitations on her vision, things probably appeared overwhelming. She eats well, and is very active with a bowl of meat. Here's her weight gains for the last few days. We always want a weight gain, but do see the challenges of the influence of changes to a pups schedule. As we train new people, the pups can be less enticed to eat. Due to the concentrated effort we need for pup care, we will only post wolf logs once and week along with the weekly Youtube. <li> Weights <li> 4/24 – 6.4 lbs<li> 4/25- 6.9 lbs<li> 4/26 – 6.8 lbs<li> 4/27 – 7.1 lbs <li>
Part I: I know it is frustrating to not get regular updates on Peanut's progress. We want you to know that our efforts are focused on her, but with the surgery last Wednesday, the Fire issue on Thursday and the efforts to get the outdoor U-stream camera functioning, the logs had to wait until this midnight shift. Essentially, the issues with Peanut began early on for wolf care staff. Staff and the vets had many conversations about mobility and development as compared to Bolts. We did comparative analysis on food consumption weights and abilities to every previous litter the Center has successfully raised, but really focused on Grizzer and Nyssa as our barometers. On May 11th, Peanut and Bolts were in the auditorium for some exercise and Peanut rolled off one of the carpeted risers (I have video of Shadow and Malik and Bolts exercising in this area on Youtube this week). She didn't whine or cry out, just rolled, sat up and Bolts came over to greet her. But, staff immediately noticed that she wasn't weight bearing and brought her to the Ely clinic for x-rays. This started the process of a consult to the University of Minnesota which eventually resulted in surgery to repair a fractured femur. Did the fall cause the fracture or did she have an existing issue that made her weak and cause mobility problems? We don't know. What was most troubling and discovered during surgery, was the fact that her bones were very thin, which may have made normal pup a risk for her. Our efforts now are focused on determining the cause and determining the next course of action. We have tracked everything that goes in and comes out of this pup from the day we picked her on April 13th; Urination, Defecation, ounces of formula, kibble, meat, vitamins, high energy paste, glycoflex, calcium supplements etc.
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.