MacKenzie is doing well, the new feeding regime seems to satisfy her. A side effect of prednisone is an increased level of hunger. Her mobility is good, and her winter coat has filled in nicely. Winter is the preferred season for wolves and Mac Kenzie seems to really excel in the colder season.
Interpretive Center Director, Sharee Johnson, officially entered the wolf world by starting as a handler in the Retired enclosure. When a new wolf care staff member starts, they spend many hours observing through the fences before entering the enclosure. This allows them to become familiar with the procedures, handler interactions, and wolf behavior. When Sharee entered the enclosure, Lakota was very accepting, and did a full greeting. MacKenzie was a bit more hesitant, and spent some time sniffing the areas where Sharee walked through the exhibit. It will take a few weeks before MacKenzie is relaxed around someone new.
MacKenzie does enjoy the mid-week feedings, and she still caches left over food for a meal later in the day or week. This caching behavior is innate, and nannies working with the pups will keep a close eye on when this behavior emerges. MacKenzie is doing well physically, and had a great winter.
I'm sure many of you are awaiting an update on MacKenzie. Sorry for the delay, I've been spending additional time with her attempting to get a urine sample (she doesn't want to give it up and I don't want to force it) in addition to getting the Exhibit pack pond cleaned (puppies dragged a few deer in the pond this winter leaving about 20 lbs of deer hair in the drain). Anyway, MacKenzie's main symptom was a ravenous appetite while looking like she was losing weight (in addition to other subtle changes in her relationship with the other wolves). Our Vet drew some blood and initially found a high BUN count (indicative of renal problems or dehydration) We put her on a specialized diet and drew blood five days later and her blood levels were back to normal. We are still attempting to get a urine sample, but that's been a challenge on a dominant wolf. Lakota, being lower ranking, will urinate whenever someone rolls her over. MacKenzie finds it a challenge and resists handlers effforts. So, if you watch the webcam, you may see handlers following her around with a container trying to get a urine sample to test for diabetes; One thing I can say about her is that she has great bladder control for a 12 year old. We are continuing to attempt a urine sample and are still hopeful for a passive sample soon. We'd rather not immobilize her just for a sample, but wolves don't cooperate like a dog does and living outdoors means she goes whenever she feels like it, not when we ask her to. She still runs the pack regardless of what we want. I fed her on 4/21 and her eating patterns are back to normal and she was very perky. We still want a sample, but right now, her behavior and attitude is back to normal.
MacKenzie turned 12 on the 28th of April. She seems to be back to normal, but we are still baffled to what happened (or is currently happening) to her metabolism. She appears to be a bit obsessed with food, even after specialized feedings. The Vets are still testing for a variety of things, but primarily Diabetes or issues with Protein loss. Staff have noticed her social behavior has increased and she seems to be interacting with her siblings more as well as staff.
I realize the focus this week has been on the tragedy of Nyssa, but the wolf care staff continues to care for all wolves on site, including the needs of the retired pack. MacKenzie appears to be gaining weight again and is very relaxed during wolf checks. This is a good sign, as one of the main behavioral observations during her recent issues, was the obsessive focus on food resources and agitated state. I look forward to the summer season with the return of Donna Prichard and Joyce Riveroll to the Wolf Care team, and the added hours of behavioral observation these two can provide.
MacKenzie is doing very well. For some reason, her behavior has reverted back to the dominant female role that includes rolling Lakota over on her back. In previous months, MacKenzie was not as interactive with her siblings, but she must be feeling better. I'm not sure if Lakota is as thrilled about MacKenzie's behavior, but she always has her tunnel to escape to. It's nice to see MacKenzie feeling better.
Sorry for the delay in the logs, the water and sewer to the lab project starts today and the wolf care staff have been actively working on installing the stabalizing rocks for the pond rip rap project this weekend. The text this week will be the same for all wolves, the Exhibit pack remains calm with wolf care staff doing the brunt of the physical labor in their enclosure. MacKenzie and Lakota are doing great, it's hard to believe they're 14 years old when you see them pounce around the pen. We found 2 dead ravens in the enclosure yesterday, certainly their predatory and territorial defense skills are alive and well. Grizzer's testing seems to have diminished, but we anticipate some anxiety when the construction project and heavy equipment gets underway. The next set of logs will be written by the "Workin' for Wolves" participants and should be on time.
Noticed a slight opaque film over Mackenzie's right cornea, contacted Dr. Chip Hanson to discuss the situation, her activity level is good, but she seems sensitive to light in that eye. Treated initially with a topical antibiotic crème, awaiting further recommendations from the Vet.
The pups were introduced into the exhibit pack today. The following is a summary from the Behavioral Observation Team. Behavioral Observation team members: Team 1: Carol Moore, Joyce Powers, Debra Mendrick Team 2: Claire Belle, Jeanette Howard, Kara Milnes Team 3: Jessica Reihing, Susan Toochin, Dari Quirk, Kristine Radermacher Pups are choosing to sleep near Mackenzie ( ranging from 6 inches to 5 feet distance) and sometimes Lucas. Pups appear to run to Mackenzie when fearful or when being chased by Lakota and Lucas. Generally, when the pups are restless, Mackenzie whines and approaches the pups until they lay down, at which time, she circles them and then lays down in the same general area. Several times during the observation shift, after Mackenzie demonstrated this behavior, Lucas attempted to approach and Mackenzie stood up, flattened her ears and Lucas retreated. During one of the encounters, Mackenzie curled her lip and barred her teeth at Lucas, again he retreated rather than approaching the pups.
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