Axel is a one month old Arctic wolf that has joined the IWC family. During the past week, his coat has lightened and his ears have become erect. He continues to interact with his brother, with some initial dominance characteristics-chin rests, standing over, and vocalizations. He alternates between being the initiator and on the receiving end. His walking, stalking, and pouncing skills are beginning to advance, and he is constantly climbing up on objects and attempting jumps to other platforms. He tends to use the den box more often for naps while his brother seeks solace behind some of the other objects in their area. He has a healthy appetite and has started lapping water from a bowl. He socializes well with the staff, and is intrigued by the howling of the Ambassador pack that takes place outside. Axel consistently chews on birch bark, trees, and hooves in their area.

-Chad Sell, Pup Care Participant

To anyone who follows our wolf care program, you may recognize two familiar objects in this photo (other than the pups).  The first is the stuffed moose which was first purchased during the summer of 2000 for Shadow and Malik, the second is the wood den box built by Bob Mucha during the summer of 2008 for Aidan and Denali.  We’ve been down this road before and know what pups like.  At this age, they have limited ability to regulate their body temperatures so they seek each other (and the stuffed toys) out for warmth.  Pups also like confined spaces, similar to dens of their birth. Providing these physical as well as psychological comforts helps the pups adapt to their new environment.  Axel was nicknamed for Axel Heiberg Island, Nunavut, Canada’s second northernmost island, located in the High Arctic approximately 1,200 km from the North Pole.  To learn more about arctic wolves, check out this link:

http://www.arctic.noaa.gov/essay_mech.html