Shadow got the chase back to his invite chase behavior. In previous Youtube video clips, Shadow and Malik would do a quick play bow, spring up at each other, which is usually the start of a behavior we call "Invite Chase". But, the chase piece has been missing. Originally we thought it was because of their age, but after Malik's latest antics, we don't think that was the issue. During wolf care on Thursday, Shadow got his chase back. We watched the similar playbow behaviors, but this time, Shadow took off in a full race around the enclosure, followed by Malik. They didn't act like wolves approaching 13, more like young pups. We think the lack of chase may have been an indication of a overall period when Shadow wasn't feeling well, but he seems to be feeling fine now.
Shadow is really back to feeling good. We can tell by his alert behavior, the clarity of his eyes, the intensity of his greetings with staff and the chin rest behaviors. It's good to see Shadow back to his regular behavior, he really does have a calming influence on all the wolves.
It's always hard to watch Shadow on the off days. He's been such a dynamic leader for so many years that his submissive moments towards Malik are more pronounced. As I've said before, we have a great deal of concern for Shadow under any type of immobilization drugs, so a decision to drug him for a complete medical exam and bloodwork has to be weighed carefully, especially in cold temperatures. He's still eating OK and he is the most active wolf to greet the staff, so at this point, I will continue to document his on and off days, try to correlate to any parameter such as weather, food consumption, scat condition, water consumption and behavioral interactions to see if we can identify a pattern. Since this situation seems to have occurred 3 or 4 times this winter, we hope to see some patterns to the symptoms.
Since the pups were first introduced to the Exhibit Pack through the fence, Shadow has had many behavioral responses. He has used direct eye contact and growled to wolf care staff holding the pups; this is an indication of possessive behavior, and threatening behavior. He has also bark-howled at unfamiliar people in the wolf yard. This is an alarm or warning vocalization telling someone to get out of the territory, in this case, the wolf yard. He has a high pitch whine nearly matching Maya in intensity when the pups arrive. He is salivating when the pups are present, including excessive licking toward the pups and at the corner of his mouth. This may be an indication of a hormonal response. He is very social with wolves and wolf care staff alike that enter the enclosure, this makes wolf care very relaxed, as the dominant male, Shadow’s behavior and energy can impact how the rest of the pack interacts. Shadow and Maya are critical in this pup introduction.
As we wrote last week, Shadow was very subdued, not interacting with the pack in his normal fashion. We had discussions with the Vet about any possible physical issues that we could be testing, and it was decided, at the age of ten, maybe he needs something stronger than nutritional joint supplements. We started him on a dose of anti-inflammatory medication, and his behavior improved. At his age, he may have some arthritic or spinal pain that was just not making him feel like interacting. We will continue to treat him and hope for continued improvements. There is far more stress to the life of a pack leader than to the other pack members, of course, you might want to get Aidan's opinion about that.
Shadow is feeling better, affirming that we have achieved the right medical treatment for his aging bones. He is healthy, comfortable, and very much an important part of this pack. Last Monday, we saw a great webcam photo of Aidan resting on the den, with his head touching Shadow. If I can locate the photo, I will post it. Shadow is important to the pack, but at this point, we would say Shadow is most important to Aidan.
While we know that Shadow's retirement is inevitable, he seems to be more of a pack leader than we've seen in the previous year. This is most noticeable with Denali, who didn't receive much dominance from Shadow during his first year of life, but he has learned to drop his head and flatten his ears during the second year of life. This is good news since we were very concerned about Shadow's physical condition earlier this winter, it reinforces our medical treatment decisions. It's always nice to see that something is working.
Shadow still has some preferences for wolf care staff, and is very mindful of staff interacting with Malik. Sometime between Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning's wolf check, Shadow seems to have had a scuffle with someone, leaving a scar under his right eye. There seems to be no other indication of tension in the pack, but it's these subtle signs that we monitor to ensure that he is still doing well as a pack leader.
One thing you may notice on the logs this week, is that Shadow is in all of the photos except Denali's (and of course, Malik). Shadow is feeling very good and has such a strong bond with the pack. The YouTube video this week shows Shadow rolling on his back, in a very relaxed posture despite the presence of the other wolves. We are very happy about this, and while retirement and companionship for Malik is in Shadow's future, we see the important role he plays to the pack dynamics of the Exhibit Pack.
Sorry, the logs will be the same for all wolves today. Spring is a busy time with a winter full of straw, bones and raven droppings creating a busy workload for wolf care staff. The pack is doing well, general observations show Aidan getting bolder and definitely spending social time with the pack, mostly Shadow. A recent cold spell has created a situation where Maya became more intense and Shadow showed more status to Grizzer, but these are short-lived situations. Spring is here and the days will continue to get warm, even though we had below zero wind chills yesterday. Denali made a sprinkler hose out of one of our good garden hoses. While the curator was spraying the rocks trying to clean the white streaks left all over the rocks from the ravens, the pack was occupied with the beaver, and all was going well. Grizzer came over and pulled on the hose, but quickly stopped. Denali watched this and decided he should try the hose, but being a younger undisciplined youth, he didn't stop as quickly as Grizzer and proceeded to tug and tug until he bit through the hose. Staff moved Grizzer and Denali into holding and continued working. There is far more to do in the enclosure, but after this week's experience, Grizzer and Denali will a challenge.
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