Fed Lakota one pound of beef and placed a beaver carcass near the den hole. Staff isolated the yearlings from 9am – 2pm so Lakota could eat in peace. All wolves very calm. The yearlings show reduced intensity toward Lakota when released from the pack holding area, but Lakota is still intimidated from the last dominance struggle (see 12-27-01 log). While her physical wounds have healed, she may need significant time to overcome her anxiety about the yearlings. Normal tensions in the pack may calm after the winter season or when the yearlings reach sexual maturity, but the use of Chlomipramine has certainly made the yearlings less obsessed with asserting rank order. Lakota just needs time to overcome her anxiety. Until she feels relaxed and freely moves throughout the enclosure, wolf care staff will continue to address her needs while she spends time in the upper wooded portion of the enclosure.
Fed a Beaver to Lakota, isolated the yearlings for several hours, so Lakota could eat undisturbed. Observed Lakota chasing ravens off the remaining carcass; this is the first real play behavior observed in Lakota since New year's day when she followed the alpha's in pursuit of the yearlings. All wolves seem healthy, and are experiencing their first real cold weather this winter. Temperatures are predicted to be 20 below zero by the end of the week. Wolf care staff continually maintain several straw beds for all wolves, although the coats on the wolves are very thick and they don't seem to notice the cold. Straw was placed in Lakota's den hole; the tunnel extends at least 5 feet underground to a 4×5 crawl space. With the placement of the new straw, Lakota had packed down a very comfortable bed deep in the tunnel.
Lakota ate one pound of beef in a warm broth since temperatures were well below zero today. CVC to all. When the yearlings were released from the pack holding area, Lakota stayed down for several seconds watching them until Malik began a slow stalking behavior toward her, then she went up. Dynamics seem quite relaxed today with several play bouts between Malik, Shadow, Lucas and Mackenzie. Lakota is observed in a play bow from the top of the pen, but not getting involved in the full pack play.
Lakota gets mobbed by other wolves when she received attention from wolf care staff, Lakota forced to retreat to the den site, SD follows Lakota into den and continues aggressive dominance."
Very exhuberant greetings from all wolves. Lakota was able to approach and greet staff with no aggression from Mackenzie. Lakota's wounds are nearly healed, no sign of further aggression from the other wolves.
Lakota spent most of the day in the comfort of her den box. It was was too hot and humid for any activity, incluiding digging holes! Summer is here, and this normal behavior prevents them from being overheated.
Lakota was found to have another abscessed tooth, this time it is on her left side. The procedure for an abscess is to let it drain, treat with antibiotics and monitor her feeding and physical attitude. If the same tooth abscesses again, we may have to anesthetize her and pull the tooth. But anesthesia for a wolf at this age is far riskier than a tooth problem, unless the infection spreads. So far, the antibiotics worked on the abscessed tooth on her right side (September 2006 logs), and she has not had a reoccurrence with that tooth. Her spirits are good, she has no problem eating or chewing on bone. She is on to the pill game, so staff are grinding her pills prior to putting them in a meatball.
Although Lakota was initially responding to the antibiotic treatment for her tooth, the swelling increased significantly after the 7 day treatment was completed. Since this was the antibiotic used for the treatment of her last abscessed tooth on her right molar, the vets recommended a different antibiotic in case a resistance to the antibiotic occurred. In this week’s photo, if you look closely, you will see the swelling on her left cheek. The new antibiotic was started on Friday the 12th and by Monday morning (Jan 15th) check, there is noticeable improvement. We also saw the characteristic Lakota sprint around the enclosure on the check today, indicating that she is physically feeling better. Her video this week shows her walking calmly around the enclosure, sniffing for leftovers.
Vitamins to all, Cosequin to Mackenzie. Yearlings chase and cornered LK next to building before staff went in. Mackenzie and yearlings then begin a 2-minute conflict, where Mackenzie prevailed. Wolves seem somewhat distracted, looking outside of enclosure. Lakota stays close to the building, reluctant to approach when yearlings are in view. Lucas and Mackenzie get a lot of good attention from staff.
Walter Medwid visited exhibit, adults very happy to see him. Lakota received a lot of attention while yearlings were put in holding pen. Lakota was actually observed racing around pond, doing play bows and encouraging Mackenzie and Lucas to play. Yearlings proceed to chase Lakota back to the corner of the building when they were released. As omega, Lakota is expected to be lower ranking at all times, and her burst of play, without the yearlings present, may have been viewed as inappropriate to rank, causing the yearlings to chase her. Later that day, Malik and Shadow had Lakota cornered, with her snapping and barking at them. Food and noise-makers were used to distract the yearlings, but they were intent on making Lakota submit. They have been grabbing at Lakota's scruff of her neck attempting to get her to submit, but she is resisting.
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