Shadow – What Comes Next

We are very aware of the impact Malik’s loss may have on Shadow.  Nancy Gibson, the Center’s co-founder and board member who bottle fed Shadow and Malik, has been here since Monday spending time with Shadow to help him through any separation anxiety.  We know his howling has increased and he has been very quick to howl when staff leave the enclosure (quicker than usual).  We are seeing an improvement every day and his play is back in his step.  Several people have asked if Grizzer can join Shadow.  We have to take this day by day.  We know we won’t do anything while we have all of this snow and ice.  The reunion will likely include some excited running and chasing and we can’t afford a 14 or 10 year old to slip and injury a disc.   We also know that colder weather and winter conditions make for heightened behavior which is why we will definitely wait.  We also have to make sure that Shadow is in a good physical and psychological frame of mind to deal with a younger and stronger pack member.    This type of reintroduction is done carefully and in stages with all wolf care staff’s perspectives discussed.  We also know that Shadow has some stronger relationships with certain wolf care staff than others, so we will favor Shadow’s relationships to make him as confident as possible in the upcoming weeks and if and when we decided to reunite the former packmates.