As I stated in Grizzer's logs, Malik and Grizzer got in a dominance scuffle over a small quantity of meat. It's not uncommon for wolves to scuffle over small amounts, their stomach's have receptors that naturally expand the stomach when they consume any meat. This is a physiology of feast and famine gorging behavior, which is why we always feed on a once a week schedule, allowing them enough meat to eat until they are satiated, then go for several days processing that meat until the next meal arrives. If we fed small quantities every day, we would have daily scuffles over meat. Malik had a bite over the eye that didn't cause an open wound, just some swelling. His attitude wasn't affected, he Saturday running around the exhibit with a high tail pushing Grizzer. Grizzer didn't respond.
The wolf logs will all be the same today, due to weather priorities… Yes, the weather plays a big part in what we do in wolf care and defines the hazards of the job. Today, we have freezing rain, which creates a hazard for wolf care staff and wolves alike. Staff are very vulnerable in slippery conditions, if a wolf jumps on us, and we fall, this can easily turn in to test. For the wolves, the icy conditions can mean a joint injury. Our job today is to keep the pack calm, and check everyone’s physical condition thoroughly. The wolves are using the dens and there is straw placed under the eaves to get out of the rain. In the videos this week, you will see the pond frozen from snowmelt conditions. Aidan does a stiff leg jump to crack the ice, and Denali comes up with an ice chunk to investigate. Shadow continues to show his leadership as he dominates Grizzer, but Grizzer is showing very submissive postures and is seeking Shadow’s dominance. Grizzer still socially interacts with the pups; Malik still follows Grizzer around looking for any opportunity to get a grab bite on Grizzer. Maya is still stalking and making Aidan nervous, but not as problematic as a month ago. All in all, the pack is well; the only other risk that we are dealing with today is the weight of the ice on tree branches that is starting to make branches break.
Malik continues to have some very high anxiety growling towards just about every wolf in the pack, but the rest of the pack seems to be ignoring his nervous behavior, with the exception of a few following bouts by Grizzer, Malik hasn't had much focus lately. This change has resulted in Malik being more relaxed, resting on the snowbank with the pups, and overall, being more relaxed. It's hard to decipher if the anxiety that Malik experiences is a result of the pack focusing on him, or if his anxious displays is why the pack focuses on him. Our job in wolf care is to not intervene in the social structure, but to create an environment with limited external stress and distractions that might contribute to anxiety.
The logs will all be the same this week due to some other obligations of the Curator. Malik has adjusted well to the new privacy fence erected on the fence line facing the Exhibit Pack. He still has an area to view the pack between the fences at the main entrance gate, but by having the 100 foot wall protected, it gives him more security. There was a lot of debate about the wood privacy fence among staff. We weren’t certain that he would have more anxiety if he could hear the pack, but not see them. We also had to determine if his anxiety was about getting back in with the pack, rather than not being the focus of the pack. If he wanted to get back in with them, he would likely become more excited at the lack of visual connection. If he was insecure about them seeing him, and wanted to be protected from them, then he would likely relax. The fact that he was sleeping comfortably in his den within 15 minutes of the fence completion is probably indicative of an attitude that he wanted protection from the pack. He is very relaxed, and as I write this (we have a security camera on him so he is always visible in the lab), he is very relaxed, watching ravens on his food caches. Many people have asked when we will put a webcam on his enclosure, at this time, we don’t want to make any changes to his environment, and want to give him time to adjust. The webcam boxes are large and bulky, necessary to keep the cameras heated in winter, but a bit intrusive for a wolf that is getting used to his life and enclosure. He will be filmed for the weekly YouTube video, and when he is ready, there will be a camera. The main pack is very calm, Maya and Aidan still have some issues, actually, Maya is just dominant, she has no issue. Shadow is extremely social with all pack members, and Denali likes to wrestle, eat and foreleg stab at things. Grizzer is extremely calm, and the removal of the stress between he and Malik has done wonders for him, and the pack tension overall.
The wolves are all doing well, and the wolf care staff certainly are appreciative of all the support from members and viewers of the wolf logs. As always, the wolf care staff will be doing wolf care throughout the holidays and people can rest assured that the wolves and wolf care will always main our first priority at the International Wolf Center. Have a great holiday season, and check out the Youtube video, it shows the pack in good spirits, especially Grizzer and Denali who have become great pals. Malik is joining in on pack howls, and has adjusted well to life in retirement.
Malik had a few holiday treats, beef and chicken, which he really enjoyed. He ate a large quantity, then cached the rest for later. He has been howling with the pack, the surveillance cameras recorded a daytime and nighttime howl. It doesn't seem mournful, just a rally with the social group. He still enjoys the staff time, but has been calmer with staff than when he was first retired, where his exuberance was a bit much sometimes.
The Arctics have started to shed, Malik more than Shadow. Because of the heat and their age, we are using sprinkler hoses on a daily basis. Both Malik and Shadow like to walk under the hoses to get the cool mist. We are also seeing more fly issues with these two wolves. It may be because of location, their enclosure is slightly lower than the other wolves. Malik is very keen on the smell of fly ointment and won't approach if staff have it in their hand. We usually end up spraying something on the fence, then when he is scent rolling, we try to spray some ointment on his head.
Malik's greetings are increasing with the Wolf Curator, and has been far more tolerant of brushing his undercoat than in previous summers. The heat doesn't seem to bother him as much as Shadow, and we frequently see him in the pond. The vegetation has really grown in the Retired Area and it gives some great shade and cool soil.
Malik had a great session today with one of the staff. Each wolf seems to have their favorite handler, and Malik worked with his today. He was brushed and received a healthy dose of fly ointment. This has been a challenge since they were young pups. The smell of fly ointment sends them the other way, or just out of arms reach.
Shadow and Malik had an exciting time visiting with Board Member Nancy Gibson who bottle fed them as pups. It's great to see this level of excitement when greeting. They've had a rough time lately with the biting flies. Of all the wolves on site, Malik offers the greatest challenge to apply any type of repellent either cream or spray. Tolerance of this type of treatment comes from repetitive exposure to the handling technique when they're young. We don't use the actual chemical ointment on pups, but we do use vaseline on the ears and a spray bottle of water.
The International Wolf Center advances the survival of wolf populations by teaching about wolves, their relationship to wildlands and the human role in their future.