It's taken some creative handling and some extra time to make sure Denali gets his fair share of social contact from Wolf Care Staff. He does enjoy contact with staff when he can get it, but getting time is dependent upon Aidan's attitude. This will be an interesting winter, and the dynamics between these two individuals will be definitely influenced by the pups.
This week’s log’s contain all the same text. Not only do I serve as the Wolf Curator for the International Wolf Center, but I also work as an instructor at Vermilion Community College. It’s been a busy day with Vermilion Natural Resource students participating in the Governor’s deer hunting pre-hunt educational activities for area elementary schools. We left for the festivities at 7 am this morning and stayed for the entire day, leaving little time for regular wolf log duties. The wolves are all doing well, we had a few mornings with temperatures near 15 degrees which seemed to stimulate activity. The roadkill deer supply is doing well thanks to a call from the Wildlife Science Center in Forest Lake that provided extra roadkill. Unfortunately, the freezer compressor failed on the same day, so thanks to generous donations from alpha members, we are back in business. Even though nighttime temperatures have been below freezing, the daytimes are relatively warm, keeping the wolves resting throughout the day.
Denali doesn't seem to like Aidan following him, but he also doesn't seem to like it when Aidan ignores him. Denali does a classic play bow, then springs into action and runs away, inviting Aidan to chase him. Aidan has difficulty keeping up, his conformation is much different than Denali. Where Denali has long lanky legs that allow him to jump high and run fast, Aidan has short legs and a not so coordinated gate. This will probably result in a lot of Denali behavior to observe this winter.
While Denali doesn't get as much hands on contact as we would like, he is getting some greetings from wolf care when we can occupy Aidan's time. Denali does spend time next to the fence with Oscar. Aidan doesn't seem to intervene between Oscar and Denali. Denali gets so excited to see Oscar that he's started to hop as he runs to the edge of the fence.
Denali has been displaying some quick half bark behaviors which are generally considered alarm or threat sounds. Wolves don't repetitively bark like a dog, a bark from a wolf means a heightened level of intensity. After a few chases and some barks, Aidan and Denali generally settle down and rest in a nearby straw bed or as the image in Denali's log shows, they find a nice sunny spot for some radiant heat. Note the posture of the wolves in a curl rest. A curl rest allows the wolves to conserve heat and may an indicator of comfort level.
There are some that feel sympathy for Denali that he's always being chased by Aidan. I think it's time to set the record straight. He's being chased by Aidan because he's frequently pouncing, bowing, rushing and overall testing Aidan. Aidan tolerates it, but at some point, enough with the pouncing. Denali is much more animated in behavior while Aidan is much more stern. It will be interesting to see how the pups form alliances with these completely different personalities.
As you read in Aidan's log, the sled dogs across the road caused a different reaction with each wolf. Denali showed very little interest, but did actively guard his food cache and ate a deer leg with a bit more vigor. Denali's personality has always been more tolerant of changes in his environment, where Aidan likes the routine of life.
Denali and Aidan have been the focus of some training with brushes as the summer season approaches and the wolves will begin to blow their undercoat. Denali was the most difficult with brush training, as he wants to grab and possess anything the handlers carry. He is doing well, and continues to improve with each session. In this week's video, and photos, you will see Denali and Aidan sharing a deer with Grizzer. There was a dominance incident between Grizzer and Malik (see their logs), that required us to increase the food consumption and encourage a calm level of satiated behavior. The cooler temperatures this week (snow several days last week), increases the wolves metabolism. Denali will go face to face with Grizzer, often trying a direct stare to get Grizzer off the food. Grizzer averts his gaze and uses his strength to drag the carcass away, but usually, the yearlings and Grizzer eat together.
Written by Workin' for Wolves participants Kathi Paulson and Steve Grenke: Even though Denali is a yearling wolf his stature portrays size and progressing maturity as seen in this weeks photo, but his actions show Denali's yearling nature and behavior traits as seen in this weeks photo for Maya. Denali seeks out opportunities to pester his packmates.
Denali is looking more lean and long since he started shedding. He has also displayed more carefree running behavior, showing his speed. He is still right in the mix of everything, and enjoys the new management of a mid-week feeding. He's been very active in the pond, searching for minnows placed in the pond to help with the algae problem. We are installing a barley straw container on Monday morning. This is a PVC tube chained to a concrete block to allow water to flow through the barley straw, which in turn traps bacteria and reduced algae growth. Our hope is that Denali doesn't decide to dive for it. We will be watching carefully all day on Monday.
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.