The following was written by Pups at One Year program participants: Paul and Chris Batiste Her amber eyes pierced your heart and her playful fiesty presence will never be forgotten.
Written by Diane Glenny: I remember Nyssa best sleeping between two rocks unde the nanny cam or in the den with Grizzer. It was a privilege to know her and help her to enjoy her short life. I believe that she is happy and will always be with the pack in spirit.
Nyssa is doing well. She's still the master of the carcass and can intimidate just about any wolf with a direct gaze, barred teeth and a bit of a lunge. In this week's photo, Grizzer is showing submissive posture and doesn't want to get in Nyssa's way, even though he has about 25 lbs on her.
Nyssa is doing well, even though early pup behavior showed her to be more dominant, she's seemed to accept the role of omega. She still dominantes a carcass like no other wolf, proving the fact that possession and the ability to guard something can be as equally important as status. Nyssa has her playful moments, especially doing the snowplow in the newly fallen snow.
Of all the wolves on site, Nyssa is probably the most thrilled about spring approaching and the decrease in hormonal activity in the enclosure. She's taken the omega (bottom ranking) position well, of course Maya's constant reminders had something to do with that. She has learned to avoid starting play chases which focused the attention on her. She is still capable of dominanting a deer carcass from all of her packmates, even if she is an omega. Possession of a carcass in captivity is not always about rank order. Of all the packmates, her play companion is most often Grizzer. In this week's photos, Grizzer's leg is the object of Nyssa's attention.
Nyssa is settling into pack life after her first experience with the intensity of female aggression during the winter season. She dealt with some of the dominance attention by remaining a bit separate from the pack and not drawing attention to herself. But, now as things calm down, she's back to a bit of play behavior and is observed bedding down with the pack mates.
Nyssa is a window watcher… Off all the wolves in the Exhibit pack, she is the one most likely to at the window watching visitors (yes, more than Grizzer who just looks for staff). In this week's photos, Nyssa responds to noise from the Children's room at the Exhibit.
Nyssa is doing well, she's still spending time in her own straw beds, but she is interacting more with the other wolves. She is still first on the deer carcass and very intent on defending it.
Nyssa has been a different pup to work with. When she was a pup, she was very dominant and a bit independent. As she was introduced to the pen, she got along well with the arctics, but remained a bit independent. As her and Maya work to settle the female rank order, it may be that independence that is keeping her from winning the top role. Maya seems to more socially interactive with the arctics, especially Shadow. Nyssa will interact, but she doesn't seek out contact with them, and sometimes is a aloof with staff. Even though her personality type may be more dominant, Maya has gained the support of the other pack members and may become the top female in the pack.
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