In this week’s video, Shadow continues to assert dominance over Grizzer. These postures are very noisy, but very ritualized in behavior. The expression of dominance on a daily basis makes it clear to the pack that’s leading the pack. Again, this wolf behavior is critical to a social pack animal that makes it’s living hunting prey and needs a packs support.
Shadow's photo this week again shows him possessing and carrying a deer leg. He has had many more observations of feeding behavior when we feed deer legs or a torso, but something about competition with Malik makes him display some obsessive behavior. At this age, he can display whatever behavior he wants. We are very tolerant of old age quirks, and we modify our management plans accordingly. Shadow did eat 8 lb of chicken on Thursday morning, and while we haven't weighed him since the winter set in, he looks like he's filling out.
Shadow has had a lot of howling bouts lately. On Thursday staff said Shadow howled so much that he was wobbly when he jumped off the den. Other than the howling, staff have had good interactions with Shadow. He continues to display the most intense social greetings of any wolf on site.
Shadow hasn't had much news to report, he's still particular about who and how his food is delivered, and he tolerates Malik's posturing, but his generally in good spirits. We are observing constant marking behavior when new straw is delivered, but it's not the marking behavior that's the issue, it's the scrape that follows. Shadow manages to scrape most of the straw back off the den within minutes of the delivery. He has wolf care staff fairly trained to pick it up multiple times a day.
Shadow continues to interact with the pups more frequently than Malik. It seems Shadow has taken on the role as caregiver and it is becoming more clear that Shadow is likely asserting himself as the alpha male of the pack. The pups also seem to pay more attention to Shadow than Malik which is another indication of Shadow's dominant role. Like Malik, Shadow also left the beaver carcass alone so the pups could feed. As fall approaches and the Curator goes back to full-time employment at the college, wolf logs will be posted only once a week.
Today shadow spent most of his day dominating Malik. He started in the morning feeding and then any time he could chase him, he did so. He even allow the puppies to join the dominance. Specially Grizzer, who chased Malik, whenever Shadow was with him.
During the feeding, shadow allowed all the puppies to eat first. He was watching over Malik and let no one disturbed them. He only tried once or twice to take the deer into the wooden area, but the puppies where pulling in the other direction, so he let it down. There was a moment when the five of them were eating together, but then Nyssa reacted and push away the arctics. Shadow then went with Malik and watch the puppies feeding for about 20 mins before going into the back of the enclosure.
Shadow seems to be feeling better, now that we have the ear mite issue treated. Staff have commented on how much his social contact has increased. The Exhibit is calmest when Shadow feels good.
Shadow has truly changed his personality since the pup introduction. He used to be very timid around strangers and somewhat stand-offish with some of the wolf care handlers, even bark-howling at people he didn't know. Lately, he's been very accepting of all of the behind the scenes visitors and program participants and has willingly accepted two new handlers into the wolf pen. Jen Westlund's partner, Matt Fetterer and Lori Schmidt's partner, Jim Ziburski. Shadow is very social with them both and is the first on the rock to greet. The pups like them as well. It is important to the long-term management of the wolf care program that there are several handlers that can deliver care to the wolves throughout the year. This is a great sign from Shadow who appears to be the most dominant member of the pack.
Shadow's logs note the increased social behavior towards staff and his contentment with the pups and their interactions. Shadow is clearly the dominant force in this exhibit.
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