Maya was investigating the pond rocks today. Yesterday during the “What’s for dinner program visitors had the opportunity so see her actively defend a deer leg from the rest of the pack, just to loose it to Grizzer. She was also pouncing into the pond trying to chase Grizzer and Shadow who were inside the pond playing.
So sorry for the delay in the wolf logs. Preparation for the Wolf Symposium in Colorado Springs has taken a bit of my time. In addition, protocols and contingency plans during my absence need to be written to ensure that every possible wolf emergency is covered. International Wolf Center members and former nannies, Brian and Ellen Dietz will be driving up from Illinois to spend the weekend at the Center assisting with any pack issues that may arise. I am most grateful for their offer to help keep an eye on the pack. I plan to feed a large deer carcass to both packs on Thursday night prior to my departure. A full wolf is usually a sleepy wolf. Dr Chip Hanson and wolf care staff Matt Fetterer and Jim Ziburski will be monitoring the pack as well.
Written by 'Wolves at Two Years" program participants Betty Magnuson and Jennifer Ell. The program participants cleaned the pond before the center opened while the wolves were locked in holding pen. After the release to the main enclosure, Maya was especially curious while the ponds was refilling. In the afternoon, she rested on the edge of the pond with her back paw and tail in the water.
Groan has been grabbing Nubee's neck and shaking it. She continues to dominate Grizz & Nubee. Groan continues to exhibit her explorative nature during programs, looking to get out of the pup pen and explore.
Groan is 33 days old today. She has an excellent response to the educational program inside the building. All pups were very keyed in to the Beaver feet provided by staff. As usual, Groan took possession of her stuffed dog toy and paraded around the pen.
With the addition of fish oil to Maya's daily regimen of vitamins, her coat seems to be improving. Staff have also been giving the wolves "fishcicles" (translation=frozen fish filets), which Maya seems to thoroughly enjoy. The wolves get a variety of food treats, both as enrichment and incentives, particularly when one of them is reluctant to go into the holding pen during feeding or enclosure maintenance times. During a recent Workin' For Wolves program, treats were placed in various parts of the enclosure for the wolves to find when released from the holding pen. Maya tends to be the best at finding the items, even when they are well-hidden.
One of Maya's activities includes a game of chase through the den. It usually involves Grizzer. She's very skilled at stalking, pouncing and jumping onto Grizzer when he exits the den. To those folks who participated in the Working for Wolves weekend last October and constructed the landscaping wall behind the den, you work was a success. The den wall is holding up well, the red pine logs stayed in place, and it's done a wonderful job of keeping snow out of the den. The wolves enjoy climbing on the structure as well.
Maya has grown a winter coat, she looks like Grizzer from the back. I hope that's no indication of the intensity of the winter that both yearlings have more hair than last winter. Maya continues to demonstrate predatory behavior toward any migrating birds that enter the enclosure, most get away. Maya also seems to be holding status as the only female. Rarely do the other wolves dominante her. She does start a few Grizzer play bouts where she's the receiving end of the full force of Grizzer.
Maya and Grizzer were very energetic this week, and enjoyed several bouts of tug-of-war and chase with their pack mates. Shadow never seems to be far away from Maya, especially when Malik is around. This week's photo shows Maya and Shadow in a parallel walk behavior, with Malik looking on.
Maya had a period of time where she was a bit shy of staff. We're not sure the cause, but she was reluctant to approach and she would be very timid if staff touched her head. Wolves can be very impacted by negative conditioning, possibly a fly ointment treatment may have caused her to shy away. The biting flies have died down, so daily fly treatment is no longer necessary. It's always important when working with wolves to be aware of the animals response to every encounter.
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.