On October 30th through November 3rd, several classes from the Edina South View Middle School were studying at the Center. As part of this program, the pups are fed 4 times during the week. Two feedings featured deer legs, two feedings featured beaver. The pups have learned to grab the deer legs and run, making for a relatively uninteresting program, but the beaver are too large for the pups to carry. Even with a sore leg, Malik actively guarded the beaver from the rest of the pack. Due to this large quantity of food this week, there will be no pack feeding on Saturday night.
The isolation of pups in small holding kennel for daily feedings has been successful. The pups are becoming conditioned to the routine and run to the gate when a handler approaches the kennel. The adult wolves attempt to enter the kennel with the pups, but fortunately, the pups are small enough where they can squeeze under a 1/2 opened gate and the adults can't. The hope is that the time the pups become too big to fit under a half open door, the adults will be familiar with the routine of pups-only isolation. There have been no negative affects associated with the pups removal and subsequent return to the main enclosure. Feeding and socialization time for the pups can last anywhere from 5 minutes to an hour with no significant interaction from the adults. During these first few weeks of the introduction, Malik seems most interested in returning to the pack, whereas Shadow would rather stay with the human handlers in the holding pen. Pup food consumption ranges from 1-2 lbs. of meat per feeding and the pups are fed twice a day. Malik and Shadow eat equally as well and food is split into two bowls to ensure sufficient amount for both.
Pups at One Year participants were asked to describe each wolf and their behavior that they observed during their weekend at the Center. Malik was described as being indifferent and opportunistic, laying in waiting. We seem to believe that when Malik gets increased confidence he seems to take a few moments to test Shadow. He was viewed doing just that, Malik saw his moment and in high tail proceeded to do a ride up on Shadow.
Malik had a good winter; He gets 2 cosequin and 1 vitamin daily. I'm not sure if we can prove the effectiveness of Cosequin, but we haven't observed Malik limping in months. He still pushes Shadow's buttons and can growl with an intensity that makes everyone take notice, but at this time, it's all show. Usually by now, the hormone cycles from the Testosterone of winter to the Prolactin of summer. So far, the wolves seem to be influenced by testosterone and estrogen. It gets pretty noisy around here some days.
Vitamins to all wolves, Ivermectin given today for heartworm treatment. Good use of holding pens to isolate individual wolves for their HeartGuard tablets. Thanks to Veterinarian Dr. Jim Allen, from the Oak Knoll Veterinary Hospital for donating the HeartGuard.
Nancy Gibson and Dave Mech were on site to visit the wolves. The pups really enjoy seeing Nancy who bottle fed them and began their early socialization for the first 8 weeks of their lives. Mackenzie's eye is still reddish, Lori Schmidt will begin treatment tomorrow.
In preparation for the fall enclosure construction (pond, waterfall, den, rock work and landscaping) we designed a test trial of some anti anxiety medication called Clomiprimine. Malik and Shadow were intensively socialized and seem to be able to tolerate any actions within the enclosure without any negative behavior. Mackenzie, Lucas and Lakota have a more difficult time, and have been observed pacing, and even fence biting when mechanical equipment is in the enclosure. Our veterinarian is seeking a way to calm the adult wolves during the upcoming construction. The wolves will be given a few days of medication, then will be exposed to some routine maintenance in their enclosure. All of the wolves will be locked in the pack holding area that the Arctic's used as a day pen last summer.
Warmer weather has increased sand flies, applied ointment on all wolves. Malik and Shadow were still feeding on remaining carcass. Mackenzie aggressive dominance toward Shadow, Shadow displayed very intense resistance to the dominance. He was observed snapping, lunging and biting at Mackenzie's face, Mackenzie continues to follow Shadow.
Medical exams began at 10 am and were completed by 2 pm. Everything went extremely well. The main tasks during the exam included: – Complete blood chemistry – Extensive physical examination – Dentition examination – Body weights and measurements – Determination of the pigmentation loss in Lucas's nose, lips and pads – Shadow and Malik were neutered Everything went extremely well, we even had enough time to get hip x-rays on Lucas and Mackenzie, as their hips seem to be more troublesome with age. A detailed analysis of the exam will be presented in the Fall issue of International Wolf Magazine. The weights of the pack are as follows: Alpha Male – Lucas 93.2 lbs Alpha Female – Mackenzie 95.2 lbs Omega Female – Lakota 92.0 lbs Yearling Male – Malik 86.5 lbs Yearling Male – Shadow 87.3 lbs
Good greetings from all, Malik grabbed LS hair tie. LS used holding pen to draw the wolves in and LS retrieved the hair tie from Shadow as he entered the gate. Took digital photos of Lucas's pigmentation change on his nose, mouth and pads. Lucas was very tolerant of LS handling and opening his mouth for examination and photos. Mackenzie rolled over in complete submission to Jen Westlund for the first time."
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