Meds to all. The Canine Canteen water heaters are working well this winter, ice free even below zero. During the feeding program, the arctics are placed in the pack holding area so staff can wheel in the food without dealing with the wolves. Earlier this fall, Malik had a negative experience near the holding pen, and seemed anxious and reluctant to enter the pens. They both willingly went into and out of the holding pen tonight for staff member, Jen Westlund. Both wolves seemed interested in food, it's the first cold night of winter with temperatures below zero at the 6:30 pm feeding.
" The pups are coming into the auditorium four times daily for Meet the Pack Presentations. The Nannies are the motivational force behind the puppies scheduled appearance at the programs, and they are finding this task to be harder than it looks. The challenge to socializing the pups is the creativity necessary to keep their lives in captivity and more specifically, their program routines, as stimulating as possible. The pups are extremely intelligent and curious. When they get bored, they get restless want to move on to something new, they don't care if they still have 10 minutes left to an educational program or a scheduled appearance. During the first week of pup programs, the Nannies have tried the following items to positively condition the puppies to the routine and to keep them stimulated throughout their busy schedule: Venison Steak/Pronghorn Steak Hamburger Deer Hide (which provided their first scats with deer hair) A Kong (chew-toy) filled with meat Cow Hooves Bird feathers Ice cubes in the water Birch Logs A tray of dirt More Birch Logs Balsam Boughs Rawhide chews Pigs ears Pine Cones A piece of deer hide on a leash (to lead the puppies back to the pen) A Moose leg Of all the items listed, the most stimulating to the pups would have to be the Moose leg, unfortunately, too much of a good thing may be trouble. The pups exhibit guarding behavior of the moose leg and don't want to leave the building without it, but at this time, they can't quite lift it. This week, we plan on using a deer leg to give the puppies a chance to carry their rewards back to their enclosure with them."
Arctic wolves were fed; Malik very good in holding pen; Shadow hesitant to enter, but entered after Malik did a play-bow. Malik controlled and defended the deer carcass for about one hour from Shadow then left after an hour.
Arctics a little jumpy with staff today, especially Malik. Lucas observed in aggressive dominance over Shadow, with Shadow responding with snarls, snapping and growling back to Lucas. During this time, Malik then jumped on Lucas's back aggressively grabbing Lucas. Curator Lori Schmidt distracted Malik and the aggression stopped. Staff has been encouraged to watch interactions closely for the next several days to determine if this tension between the males increases. Lucas is certainly showing signs of age and is quite stiff when getting up. This may trigger the Arctics to test his alpha status."
Malik and Shadow excited again when Jen Westlund and Nancy Jo Tubbs entered the enclosure. They settled down when all got attention. Lucas was very dominant over Shadow. Shadow and Malik stood on rocks over fence-line when staff went in with Mackenzie and Lakota. This irritates Mackenzie and can cause her to fence fight or chew at the wood barriers. (Completing the new retirement enclosure and getting the wolves away from a shared fence-line is a top priority. – fundraising continues for this project) MacKenzie's left eye is a bit milky in appearance.
We thought the arctics would have settled the top ranking order in the pack, but they continue to posture and dominante each other without much sign of a resolution. Malik seems to keep pushing the issue and Shadow seems to keep proving his point.
Cooler evening created a more active wolf exhibit tonight. There have been more observations of Shadow and Malik dominating Lakota lately, but usually Mackenzie or Lucas begin dominating them and stop the interaction. While some people want to believe that the Alpha's are protecting Lakota, it's more likely that they are attempting to prevent Shadow and Malik from gaining status.
Malik still favoring left hind leg, but tolerant of a physical exam. Other wolves seem to be indifferent to his limp. Good interactions between wolves and handlers today. Mackenzie still grabs Lakota's tail and drags her off the rock when handlers are close to the rock. Lakota, generally retreats to den without further incident.
Arctic's put in holding area to give full attention to Lucas and Mackenzie. Good interactions with Mackenzie and Lucas. Before the Arctic's were removed, Shadow dove at Mackenzie's hindquarter's, Lucas intervened, snarling for several minutes at both Shadow and Malik. All well once Arctic's were in holding pen. Nancy Jo Tubbs saw a ridge in the roof of Mackenzie's mouth. Curator Lori Schmidt will investigate"
Started pond pump today, Malik and Shadow began digging at pump box. Staff was instructed to watch for signs of them showing interest in the leaf net or filter through the door to the pump housing. Most of the pump housing is covered in rocks so the wolves can't move them, but there is a doorway where water circulates to the pump, and if the wolves lay down and stretch their leg, they can reach the leaf net, designed to catch leaves before they reach the pump. It's always a challenge to out-think the wolves and guess what they are likely to bother. Now that Malik and Shadow have entered their second year, I hope the term Terrible Two's doesn't apply to wolves.
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.