Malik has been actively participating in Grizzer take downs with the pups. At this point, it's not too serious, but as winter approaches, Grizzer needs to become more assertive with the pups and be less vulnerable to Malik. A recent behavioral observation group noted that Malik does use Shadow when tensions increase, and often stands next to him if Grizzer tries to redirect aggression. On Friday, all three adult males were together watching the parking lot. The Center's front entrance is under construction, so visitors are entering the office door. This causes the wolves a bit of anxiety as it is different from normal procedure. Wolf care staff will be installing some woven fencing to provide more cover, and hopefully discourage people from walking up to the fence past the roped off area.
Malik chose to stay out of the bison head interactions, watching from the top of the hill, and doing a little bit of posturing if one of the wolves approached. It was a good distraction for the pack, and actually kept them occupied for several days. Malik seems very relaxed this fall, in comparison to previous falls. It may be that Grizzer is so occupied with the pups, that there’s not much time for rank order conflicts. It could also be related to Grizzer’s calm demeanor since the pup introduction, he is still very tolerant of the pups, and doesn’t get too excited about much.
Malik very aggressive with Shadow while staff greeted at fence. He rode up on Shadow's back twice, but calmed down after staff left. Staff went back later and they both greeted without aggression
It’s always been evident that Malik seeks out Shadow for comfort. He sleeps near him, on occasion he follows him, and if there’s dominance, he stays close to him. This type of littermate bond is why we always choose two pups for an introduction. In this week’s video, you will see Malik standing with Shadow with a variety of ear positions. His flat back ears are signs of insecurity, but he does perk his ears forward as Shadow shows interest in activity by the Center’s entrance door.
Malik is getting more relaxed entering the Retired Enclosure and immediately found a deer leg to occupy his time. He doesn’t interact with the pups as much, but was he was the first one the pups ran toward. The pups chased him back into the pack holding area; before they came back to actively submit to Shadow and Maya. Malik did rally with the pack as they ran around the Retired Enclosure. Malik continues to take advantage of Grizzer when he is down with the pups; you will see several jabs, and soft bites, until Grizzer finally gets up and chases him. Although, it is hard for Grizzer to run when Aidan is attached to his neck.
A temporary fence was constructed in the pen today, designed to keep the wolves in the back wooded portion of the main enclosure when the pond and den are constructed in front of the exhibit. The wolves were given a light sedative and did extremely well with the noise and traffic of construction and behind the scenes programs.
Malik is doing well, and while he gets some foreleg stabs or grab bites in on Grizzer, he is much more relaxed than previous winters. Malik is the barometer of this pack, when he's nervous, that means there's some underlying tension in the male rank order. It's been a refreshing change to do wolf care with the pack so relaxed, it gives us time to teach the pups some rules about greeting staff and gate manners.
If you read Grizzer's log, you may have read where we eluded to the fact that Malik is not showing any fear avoidance towards Grizzer. I would like to make it clear that we would NEVER do anything to jeopardize Malik. If we were to try any social arrangement for Grizzer, it would involve Shadow coming to Grizzer's enclosure to interact, with lots of wolf care staff on hand. We know Shadow still has control over Grizzer, we see it in the way Grizzer paws at the fence and tries to submit over by the retired enclosure. If Grizzer has lost so much confidence without Maya that he is truly subordinate to Shadow without question, then we may have some options. At this point, we are making plans to build a secondary retirement enclosure and will manage Grizzer based on our experience on what is best for him. Social contact is not always best if it affects an individuals confidence.
The wolf logs for the Exhibit Pack will contain the same text, due to extra time needed for Lakota (see Lakota's log). The Exhibit Pack is doing well, consuming a lot of food and spending quite a bit of time in and on the new den. The wolf care staff heard wild wolves howl several times on Saturday's overnight, which may explain why Shadow has been doing so many lone defensive howls lately. Aidan appears to be catching up to Denali's weight, and the pups continue to eat on a daily basis, either a carcass with the pack on Saturdays and Wednesday's or daily chicken, beef or venision during the other evenings.
Malik did an RLU in front of Shadow while Shadow showed a high tail, but no aggressive interaction between them.
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