Sorry for the delay, a power outage seemed to take out the internet connection on Friday night and it continued through the weekend. So, the wolf logs will be all the same this week as we have already moved into a new week and 2 snowstorms have resulted in another foot of snow to clear from the wolf yard, the gates, the fences and den sites. It’s been a calm week. We are trying four different techniques to keep the pack in a lower stress environment. We continue to feed the Exhibit pack small amount of chicken Monday through Friday with a deer carcass or beaver on Saturday nights. We also are using Dog Appeasing Pheromone spray in straw beds daily, making sure there is always fresh straw available. We have added a supplement to their daily meds called Anxitane® (L-Theanine) Chewable Tablets, a green tea derivative, donated by the manufacturer that promotes this product as an all natural product to reduce stress related responses to environmental issues. The 4th issue relates to wolf care interaction, we make sure Grizzer gets the attention first as the dominant male of the pack. The retired wolves have had a good week, despite a renewed spot on Malik’s cheek, they are active, play bowing, eating both chicken and deer legs, and overall, not acting like wolves approaching eleven years of age.
As much as Maya was social last week, we see the same intensity with growling this week. She and Grizzer have had a few intense jaw sparring moments, and Grizzer is not tolerating much of these hormonal swings. Don't let Maya's smaller body size fool you, she can take on anyone one of these male wolves in the Exhibit Pack, and at times, she takes on more than one. This hormonal influence should last a few more weeks, and by mid-February, we expect to see the calmer side of Maya.
Maya has been much calmer in the last week, and while we have no way of knowing without cortisol tests, we can only assume that her stress levels are lower. We know that when she's stressed, it can be a noisy exhibit with her posturing and growling towards Aidan, but it's been very quiet lately, and that's a good sign. This could be the effect of one of our four management tools which includes the D.A.P spray, fresh straw beds daily for a comfortable place to rest, chicken on a daily basis and the Anixtane supplement. At this point, we will continue all four until spring.
Maya's been a bit of a challenge lately, becoming a bit possessive of wolf care staff. It's always critical that the dominant wolves get attention first, it generally keeps things calm. The snow depths are increasing weekly, it seems we have two choices this winter, sub-zero or warm and snowing. For Maya's short legs, the snow depths are getting a bit much, but wolves are known for creating trail systems and there is a well worn path around the perimeter of the enclosure. But, if Maya goes of the path, she sinks to her chin.
This is a continuation of the logs starting with Aidan, Denali, Grizzer and now Maya. Maya is good at her role as the dominant female. She has an intensity like no other. We know Maya's dominance can be heightened while she and Grizzer patrolled the upper enclosure, and if she can't get to what is agitating her, she will redirect. It's the way she's hardwired, and it doesn't make her an aggressive animal. In fact, after I stopped the altercation, she allowed me to fully inspect her coat, and while sensitive to a bite on her leg and paw, she was very gentle in that Vet inspection. There are times when wolves do what wolves do, that's why we say "Wolves live by social rules that have evolved with survival in the wild." Placement in captivity doesn't change that and while people may question why there's a need for a hierarchy in captivity where food resources are plentiful and life is easy, one can't expect an animal to not be influenced by their genetics.
Maya continues to be behaviorally stimulated by something. Her intensity of dominance as waned a bit, but she is presenting herself to Aidan, and very vocal. She still sleeps with Grizzer, but she has the right to socially align with any wolf in the enclosure, and she may use that right.
The Wolf Logs for the week will contain the same text for each wolf. The curator was at a conference during the week, and time is limited for Friday duties. The pack did well in the Curator's absence, it is important that wolf care is not dependent upon one individual, but a multitude of individuals that can meet the wolves' basic needs. There are 16 people associated with the wolf care program and all have their own strengths and skills that help manage the packs. Aidan continues to be confident and Grizzer is still showing some anxiety when Aidan puts his tail in a T-2 posture and follows him. There will be a Vermilion Community College Ethology class beginning some observations, and we hope to have some good data to share by the end of April.
While her littermates play, Maya seems to want to explore her new snow covered surroundings. She was seen investigating snow piles by sticking her nose into the pile and snorting, causing snowflakes to fly around her. She has also been seen climbing on all the rocks in the exhibit, where she sits and seems to enjoy the view. Although her explorations haven't gotten her into any real trouble yet, wolf care is keeping an amused eye on her.
Wolf care staff have really noticed a pattern of behavior with Maya. No doubt, everyone recognizes that she's the lowest ranking wolf in this pack, but she seems to have a way to avoid conflict. When she does get grief from any of the other wolves, she rolls right over and gives in immediately, without conflict. Usually the wolf that started the interaction doesn't have anything else to do, but go on to someone else. When Maya is feeding on the carcass, she seems to position herself on the other end of the carcass away from Nyssa and her constant growls, snaps and lunges that go with Nyssa's dinner manners. When wolf care staff greet, Maya still patiently waits until the ruckus of Grizzer is over then appears out of nowhere to get contact on the rock. She's there one minute and gone the next without fanfare. Grizzer on the other hand, one always knows when he's coming or going.
Maya gets a break from Denali as well, and her response is to rest and relax. This makes for a good response from Aidan as well, who sleeps in the den with Maya on a nightly basis.
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.