In preparation for the transition to the new log format, we will be posting a YouTube video on a weekly basis, rather than the 20 second clips linked in the weekly log posting. This format should give a better appreciation for the tone of the pack, rather than the individual wolf. There may be a 1 – 2 day delay in the YouTube video posting after the wolf log postings. Denali weighed in at 111 lbs, but he is still long and lean. Denali has increased his testing behavior towards Grizzer, especially when Grizzer is being dominated by Shadow. Denali uses his long legs to reach a paw in and foreleg stab any wolf that is in front of him.
Denali is displaying classic yearling behavior, testing every chance he gets. And, in a true form of a yearling, runs and hides behind wolf care staff if he gets in too much trouble. He has mastered the foreleg stab, which is when a wolf pushes or pokes something with a stiff front leg. Every pack member knows when Denali is in a testing mode, even Shadow has been the recipient of this over active juvenile. The difference between Denali and Aidan is that Aidan gets so much dominance from Maya that he is hesitant to test. Denali isn't getting much dominance from any of the pack, so he has no limits to his testing. Shadow is stern when Denali annoys him, but he doesn't follow through to make him submit.
It is amazing how pups change during this time termed the Transition period, before their hearing is fully developed. Noteable behaviors and physical developments that occurred today include: Ears standing erect for short periods of time, awareness of gate noise and human voices, pups very alert to the howling of the Exhibit Pack, growling and barking in their sleep, and teething, as the upper incisor teeth emerged early this morning. Wolf Pup # 1 also had a head-shake reflex, this will later be associated with predatory behavior, when hunting, wolves will vigorously shake something to kill it. At this age, this is likely a reflex, not a true behavioral response.
Written by Maxine and Dane Johnson: Denali continues to be a handful for wolf care staff. This week he has remained a relatively unopposed pup in a big wolf’s body. At his weighing, Denali was more than willing to stand on the scale; perhaps too willing to have himself weighed, and the staff struggled to get any of the other wolves onto the scale. While still playful with Grizzer, we all were able to witness Denali become more of a ranking adult in Grizzer’s eyes, as he was put in his place and pinned repeatedly throughout the weekend. Towards the end of the weekend however, he enjoyed a great treat of marshmallows, peanut butter, kibble, blueberries, ground beef, and leftover pizza. While this is a significant transitional time for both pups, Denali enjoys the benefits of his size and for the moment enjoys a comparatively unchecked life by most of his pack members.
Denali is still about food. If a beaver is fed, he makes sure he gets his own, and will defend that beaver from anybody, and we mean anybody…Shadow, Grizzer, Staff etc. Even a day after a feeding, when his stomach looks like a swollen woodtick, he will continually show interest if staff move a wheelbarrow or bring the med tray over. He is a long, lean yearling, so we're not sure where he's putting this meat, maybe in his head and paws. One note to all wolf log readers, we are experiencing some difficulty with video editing software. The curator has purchased a new computer and an upgrade of software, but it may not be arriving for a few days. Please be patient, we know the importance of the video, and will solve it before the next YouTube is due on September 1st. In the meantime, a podcast is being produced today, discussing the behavioral observations of the summer Ethology and Pups at One Year participants.
Written by Nanny Team Members Lynne Haines and Sherrel Grabler: Both pups were very hungry this morning. Denali consumed 5.3 oz. of chicken, 5 oz. of pure venison, and 8.5 oz of gruel before 7 am. During the vet’s visit, Denali experienced heightened levels of anxiety and displayed male avoidance behavior. He squirmed and urinated on Lori, during his examination and vaccinations. In a stress response he ultimately regurgitating his morning feed. Denali weighed in at 33.1 lbs. a half pound gain. During both Behind The Scenes programs, Denali remained relatively calm, alternating between sleeping and chewing on either his sibling, a deer leg or a beaver tail. When Lori Schmidt demonstrated howling with the Ambassador pack during the morning program, both pups ran, in fear response, towards their pup enclosure. Throughout the day when he was not sleeping, Denali joined Aidan in caching food, digging it up and consuming the cached food.
Written by Nanny Team Leader Kelly Godfrey: Denali was very active during the afternoon programs. He went out to cache chicken breasts, but decided to eat them instead. During the afternoon program Denali raised his hackles while he and Aidan fought over the beaver tail. He displayed food guarding behavior later in the afternoon program. While in the pup enclosure today he dug in the den, increasing the size of the already large den site.
Written by nanny team members Jennifer Ell and Betty Magnuson: Denali started out his day by digging up Aidan's cache and recaching it. A routine urine sample was taken and sent to the vet. During the 11 o'clock program, Denali was pawing at the door, and when he was let out, he lay down on the cold soil. He slept through the 1 o'clock program. The weather was warm, since Aidan was underneath the hut, Denali sought out a shadow spot to sleep in the afternoon.
The following logs were written by Behavioral Team Member, Awen Briem. <br> Aidan and Denali were introduced into the main enclosure with the ambassador pack today. Upon entering the main enclosure, the pups ran with the pack into the woods. Aidan and Denali immediately seemed more focused on their fellow pack members than on human interaction. Denali seems to be at ease approaching the adult wolves, frequently being seen with Maya, Shadow and Grizzer throughout the day. He entered in the pond multiple times, swimming the full length of the pond on at least three different occasions. Just after dark tonight, he curled up with Aidan between two tree branches and some brush.
Written by Nanny Team Leader Kelly Godfrey: While the pups were playing in the wolf yard during the evening the sirens in town began to wail. The exhibit pack howled in response. Denali had been wrestling with Aidan but stopped, ran to the fence, and joined in the pack howl. He was face-to-face with Shadow for the rest of the howl.
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