Denali has so much energy and with Aidan being a bit more reserved, he doesn't seem to have a release for this energy. All of that changed when we fed a large deer carcass and the wolves ate the deer and left the hide. Denali has been head-shaking, dragging, tossing and plucking this deer hide for over a week. He is very animated in his actions and has a playbow/prance/hop behavior when he approaches the hide.
The November weather has been much warmer than usual, creating a scenario of extra food cached throughout the enclosure. In the first time since the pups were introduced, we canceled the Saturday evening feeding program. At the time of these log postings, there are still 3 or 4 beaver caches in the enclosure. Denali has been very good at caching and defending his caches. He has even started some marking behavior, a sign of maturity. He did a partial raise leg urination and attempted to scrape the ground afterward. He also did a significant amount of scent rolling and then marked on a beaver spot. All of his behaviors were captured on video for the weekly Youtube.
Denali is feeling very confident with his testing and posturing for rank. He doesn't like to be disciplined by any pack member or staff. We have been watching other signs of his advancement in rank, one in particular is marking behavior. Typically in the wild, only the dominant pair raise leg urinate (RLU) in an effort to signal that their territory is occupied, and as a pair bonding behavior. In captivity, the likelihood of RLU behavior of a subordinate is greater, as in the case of Grizzer. We have been watching Denali for any indication that he might start RLU behavior, but so far, he does a standing urination, although he does scrape the ground afterward as a way of dissipating his scent.
Denali has been very interactive with the fresh snow, and increasing maturity. He has been observed in wrestling behavior, not only with Aidan, but with Grizzer and Maya as well. He still shows submissive posture towards Shadow, but has been more inclined to do a face-off with Maya. This involves facing her, with his tail high in the air, trying to make himself as tall as possible. Of course, it doesn't intimidate Maya, what she lacks in size, she makes up for in attitude.
Denali has a good time testing any other wolf that is near him. He is famous for a foreleg stab, where he takes his front leg and thrusts it at another wolf to get attention or invite chase. In this week's Youtube video, he spends a lot of time testing Grizzer who is trying to defend a beaver cache. The whole time Denali is testing, his tail is wagging vigorously, a sign that at least he's enjoying himself.
Karen Pajari spent 3 days observing the pack after Malik’s retirement and provided the following observations. On the night of Malik’s retirement, Denali displayed the most whining at the fence line toward retirement, and he appears to be responding to the change in dynamics by increasing his testing of Grizzer. He was observed in several jaw sparring events with Grizzer, with both of them riding up on their back legs to use the full force of the front legs. Denali trots around the yard freely with a confident T2 tail posture. His behavior and attitude seems active, alert, calm, and feisty – his tail is up and his ears are pricked. This month’s Podcast will review the USDA incident report concerning the aggressive incident that prompted Malik’s retirement and the subsequent management challenges
Denali has mastered the foreleg stab, and the Youtube video this week shows that it is applicable in all situations, to all wolves. Every wolf has a personality, and Denali's is sure one of curiosity, testing and overall activity. He certainly has the attention of all the pack members, but he does show boundaries, especially to Maya when she's defending food.
I hope everyone has a healthy and happy New Year. The wolves are all doing well and are having a calm winter. We have not experienced temperatures in the sub zero range, which usually drives a bit of wolf aggression. We would like to announce that the Pup Care Program Applications are online at www.wolf,org. Select the Programs Tab, click on Educational Programs and you will find the applications under the Seminars title. We are adamant that special training and an understanding of wolf behavior is critical before interacting with wolf pups. This program is only available to individuals who have been previously involved in the pup care program or who have participated in the Planning for Pups prerequisite seminars offered during the summer of 2011 or 2007. Applications will be accepted until February 1st, and teams will be assembled and notified by March 15th.
Denali had some interesting behavior captured on the surveillance logs this week. He was shown doing a ride-up behavior, pinning Aidan to the ground with some excitement. Aidan was showing some submissive behavior, but later returned to some assertive following behavior. Denali is pretty easy going, and will take any opportunities he can. He seems to have settled into a resting pattern, usually taking the top of the slate den.
Denali is definitely maturing into an adult. In previous months, he would be hesitant to join in the pack chases, but in the last few weeks, he's right in the mix, showing no intimidation. He has been increasing his testing of Grizzer, which increases Shadow's dominance over Grizzer as well. It will be interesting to see the rank order outcome of this winter.
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