Grizzer continues to be very hungry prior to feedings. On Sunday, he was pawing at the gate, like usual, only Aidan was right below the gate. Aidan initially became spooked, then came back to submit to Grizzer. Grizzer then submitted to Aidan, and they both rolled around on the ground for a few minutes. In Grizzer's video this week, he makes short order of the beaver carcass.
Yes, we have weights on all the adults. Curator, Lori Schmidt and Pup Care Staff, Joyce Riveroll purchased a large floor scale and are now able to weigh all the adults. We will continue to monitor weight on a monthly basis. The Exhibit Pack has a weekly enclosure enrichment program, that is a bit different than last year. Last year, we would lock the wolves off in the pack holding area and hide bacon or other meat products in the rocks. This year, the pups are in the pack holding area, so the wolves aren't draw off the Exhibit. Therefore, we can't walk into the enclosure with bacon in our hands. So, we are floating ice cubes with venison brats in the pond, and stocking the pond with minnows to help control the algae. Grizzer dives for the ice cubes, and looks for the minnows, but he also searches the rocks where we put food items last year, even though we haven't done that since last August.
Grizzer is the biggest surprise of the whole introduction. Initially, we were very concerned about the subordinate males seeing the pups as an opportunity to gain some status. While that may be Malik's behavior, Grizzer has become more of a pup observer and social companion. He is often found lying with the pups, rolling over for them and grooming them. The Behavioral Observation Team even observed Denali laying on Grizzer's stomach. This is great behavior to observe, and a real positive sign that the pack will be socially cohesive.
The following logs were written by Nannies, Vicki Bomberger and Lynne Haines: <br> Grizzer, as all the ambassador wolves, has been very active during the cool weather. There were several chases all around the enclosure with all four wolves. Much of the chase interaction was with his sister Maya. Grizzer jumped over Maya during a chase prior to the Sunday evening feeding. Grizzer was quite anxious for the feeding to begin and several times bit, jumped and pulled at the gate where the food is brought in. After the carcass was brought in, none of the wolves showed extreme interest in the food, although Maya was intent on dragging the carcass towards the pup pen. Grizzer was initially chased off the carcass by Maya and Malik.
Grizzer continues to be obsessed with feeding programs, or at least the anticipation of being fed. In previous summers, the feedings on a hot summer day would result in beaver lying in the sun for several days waiting for wolf care staff to remove them when they become covered with flies. This summer, the wolves are displaying nearly complete consumption of everthing brought into the enclosure, and Grizzer paws at the gate, making the whole wall shake, as well as the webcam. It is the day after the feeding and his stomach is as full and round as a wolf can possibly be.
Grizzer continues to have a great appetite and some anxiety before feeding. On Friday night, there was a special program with board members and alpha members. The group met in the auditorium for a lecture from Wolf Biologists Dave Mech and Jim Hammill. Grizzer mistook the auditorium gathering for a feeding night and became very agitated that the group never fed him. A 10 lb frozen beef log solved the problem.
Grizzer has been extremely hungry since the prolactin hormone kicked in, but as he sheds his winter coat, we see a lean body type. All that food must be going somewhere, but even at his 115 lb fame, he doesn't show it. The wolves are getting weekly enclosure enrichment programs, ice blocks in the pond stuffed with beaver tails, deer tails and venison bratwurst.
Written by Working for Wolves participants Carolyn Owen and Karen Owen: Grizzer was observed being very social and interactive with all pack members. Grizzer continues to be food focused as was observed Sunday morning at the "What's for Dinner" program. As staff prepared for the feeding, Grizzer was active at the fence line and focused on the upcoming meal.
It appears that Grizzer is testing Shadow. The signs are subtle, with a paw up on Shadow’s face, a ride up, and some direct eye stares, but staff have noticed, and more importantly to dynamics, it appears Denali has noticed. The following is a scenario of events that demonstrate some issues in rank order. About 5:15 pm on Thursday, April 29th, Maya pulled Aidan’s rear leg, and physically pinned him, why, who knows, but Aidan submitted. While that happened, Grizzer immediately ran to Shadow, often when there’s some dominance, wolves that are testing may try to take advantage of another wolf that’s distracted. Shadow pinned Grizzer, then he turned to face Denali who was advancing towards Shadow, then Maya left Aidan and went to Grizzer and pinned Grizzer, while Shadow pinned Denali. So, this situation will be monitored closely in the upcoming weeks. Grizzer weighed in at 124 lbs, down by 5 pounds from his September 2009 weight.
If you look at this week's photo, you will see Grizzer still submissive to Shadow, but there's a look in his eye that's a bit more intense. The behavior is an avert gaze, but it's not a passive look. Grizzer has been having the hardest time with this heat, he has more mass of body and hair to shed. He is extremely tolerant of brushing and of most handling. We did vaccinate all wolves this week, well, except Shadow, who knew we had the syringe before we entered the enclosure. Grizzer was the first to get his vaccination, in the Youtube video to be posted later today, he submitted to me while I was trying to give the shot. This is a bit problematic when trying to give a Subcutaneous injection. He did have two wolves supervising, making him a bit cautious.
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