Wolves tend to display repetitive behavior and are not usually tolerant to changes in their territory. MacKenzie demonstrates that well in this week’s video. Her typical routine is to pick through the best portion of the food provided, and take the food back to her straw bed in the corner of the enclosure to consume it.
Malik is doing well, and showing more signs of acceptance of the male rank order. In this week’s video, he is shown following Shadow up the hill in a relaxed body posture. He was also observed sleeping with Shadow on several different occasions.
In the interest of saving time, all wolf logs will be the same today. Most of the wolf care staff time is spent attempting to keep the wolves cool during an unusually warm stretch of weather. The temperatures over the Memorial Day weekend soared to 90 degrees with high humidity. This is problematic weather for wolves that have not completed shedding, and who's primary method of cooling is through panting. Wolves pant to evaporate heat from their system, when the humidity is high, little evaporation occurs. This is why wolves in the wild are commonly termed nocturnal animals, meaning they are active mainly at night. Here at the Center, sprinkler hoses were installed to keep the temperatures cooler. In the retired enclosure, modifcations to the hose installation were made, when MacKenzie became anxious about the hose over her head. Her vision is declining, and the hose over her head must have been too much. The hose was re-installed to follow the north fence line, which will also spread a nice layer of water over the newly planted vines. To add another summer task, biting flies hatched over the weekend, requiring the first application of fly ointment. All wolves were treated, except of course, Shadow, who heads for the hills when fly ointment appears. The arctics were started on a dose of brewer's yeast with garlic in hopes of providing some natural repellent. This gift of garlic as well as a long list of other treats and equipment was generously donated by Miss Susan Sweeney's Biology I class – period 2+3; from Pennsylvania…
In the interest of saving time, all wolf logs will be the same today. Most of the wolf care staff time is spent attempting to keep the wolves cool during an unusually warm stretch of weather. The temperatures over the Memorial Day weekend soared to 90 degrees with high humidity. This is problematic weather for wolves that have not completed shedding, and who's primary method of cooling is through panting. Wolves pant to evaporate heat from their system, when the humidity is high, little evaporation occurs. This is why wolves in the wild are commonly termed nocturnal animals, meaning they are active mainly at night. Here at the Center, sprinkler hoses were installed to keep the temperatures cooler. In the retired enclosure, modifcations to the hose installation were made, when MacKenzie became anxious about the hose over her head. Her vision is declining, and the hose over her head must have been too much. The hose was re-installed to follow the north fence line, which will also spread a nice layer of water over the newly planted vines. To add another summer task, biting flies hatched over the weekend, requiring the first application of fly ointment. All wolves were treated, except of course, Shadow, who heads for the hills when fly ointment appears. The arctics were started on a dose of brewer's yeast with garlic in hopes of providing some natural repellent. This gift of garlic as well as a long list of other treats and equipment was generously donated by Miss Susan Sweeney's Biology I class – period 2+3; from Pennsylvania…
Today, Grizz is 24 days old. The picture shows Grizz and Groan jaw sparring with one another during a dominance interaction. Prior to the 8 am feeding Grizz weighed 6.0 pounds and had gained a half pound by the 8 pm feeding, weighing 6.5 lbs. Grizz has shown interest in the camera equipment. Staff has had to distract him from biting the equipment several times.
In the interest of saving time, all wolf logs will be the same today. Most of the wolf care staff time is spent attempting to keep the wolves cool during an unusually warm stretch of weather. The temperatures over the Memorial Day weekend soared to 90 degrees with high humidity. This is problematic weather for wolves that have not completed shedding, and who's primary method of cooling is through panting. Wolves pant to evaporate heat from their system, when the humidity is high, little evaporation occurs. This is why wolves in the wild are commonly termed nocturnal animals, meaning they are active mainly at night. Here at the Center, sprinkler hoses were installed to keep the temperatures cooler. In the retired enclosure, modifcations to the hose installation were made, when MacKenzie became anxious about the hose over her head. Her vision is declining, and the hose over her head must have been too much. The hose was re-installed to follow the north fence line, which will also spread a nice layer of water over the newly planted vines. To add another summer task, biting flies hatched over the weekend, requiring the first application of fly ointment. All wolves were treated, except of course, Shadow, who heads for the hills when fly ointment appears. The arctics were started on a dose of brewer's yeast with garlic in hopes of providing some natural repellent. This gift of garlic as well as a long list of other treats and equipment was generously donated by Miss Susan Sweeney's Biology I class – period 2+3; from Pennsylvania…
Today, Grizz is 25 days old. Also note a change in measuring protocol, making Grizz appear to have gained length, when in fact he only gained a few CM. Public programs so far has been the most stressful on Grizz. During programs he paces the perimeter of the fence, whines, and his respiration and heart rate increase. Staff is currently working on new and creative methods to distract Grizz during programming. To date Grizz has been the most submissive to his handlers. There were several instances today where he submissively rolled over and allowed staff to scratch his belly. Grizz continues to maintain a voracious feeding behavior.
Today, Grizz is 23 days old. He has been biting and chewing on a birch log which is a simulation of an attack behavior seen in adult wolves. He has also been attacking many of the toys and balsam boughs found in the pen. In fact he pulled one of the balsam boughs from the fence and drug it five feet across the pen before leaving it as dead.
Today, Groan is 25 days old. When Groan was brought out to see Malik and Shadow she was little aggressive letting out a little growl. During public programming she did not appear to be stressed from the audience. During the program she was fighting with a stuffed toy. Groan frequently directs aggressive behavior towards Nubee, her younger littermate. Following three public programs Groan along with the other two pups seemed to be exhausted from the excitement and spent most of the afternoon sleeping.
Today, Nubee is 17 days old. Nubee has been walking around the pen more and often trys to dominate Grizz. She trys to pull on his tail and grab his neck. Nubee has also been trying to engage in play behaviors with both Grizz and Groan. Groan is quickly becoming more defensive. Today, Groan came up to Nubee and bit her and Nubee barked back at her.
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.