Hot weather has been making the wolves retreat to underground holes to keep cool. Interns gave a little bit of meat to each wolf to entice them to come down for programs. Applying fly ointment daily usually keeps the bugs off so the wolves will stay in front of the observation windows, but there isn't anything we can do about the heat.
Shadow chased by Malik, with Mackenzie and Lakota joining in. Later, Shadow observed dominating both Malik and Lakota. Staff began giving daily vitamins to all the wolves. Staff seem to notice a correlation to Lucas' activity level and regular vitamin doses. While there is not physical evidence to support this correlation, the vitamins are easy to deliver and will become a daily routine for the center."
Part I of a several part discussion summarizing current pack dynamics: Lakota continues to do well staying near the den hole in the upper enclosure, but is reluctant to come to the front of the exhibit when Shadow and Malik are active. Malik and Shadow are drawn into the pack holding area daily for Chlomipramine and Vitamins. Several days a week, we extend their daily stay in holding to allow Lakota freedom of movement throughout the enclosure. Since they were raised in the pack holding area, they seem very comfortable with their time away from the pack. Also, the Chlomipramine use on the yearlings has decreased their obsession with Lakota and the pack behavioral dynamics are much more relaxed than earlier in December. With the yearlings less obsessed over dominating Lakota, they seem to be involved in more pack play behavior with the alphas, Mackenzie and Lucas.
Part 2. Keeping the omega isolated or restricted during the winter months (hormonally driven breeding season even for spayed or neutered animals) is not an uncommon thing. Last winter Lakota used the lower den in the front of the exhibit and wasn't allowed to go to the top of the hill. This winter, she chose the upper den and now is restricted in coming down the hill. In reviewing the logs from the spring of 2001, we saw much more relaxed behavior toward the omega as the spring approached. We anticipate this occurring again in the spring of 2002. Lakota is fed and watered in the upper enclosure and interacts well with the alpha's when she has the opportunity.
Part 3. One issue the wolf care staff needs to be aware of is the issue of rank order of wolves and greeting appropriate to rank order. In other words, greet the alpha's first, then the lower ranking wolves. If staff pays a lot of attention to the omega in front of higher ranking wolves, they can cause the higher ranking wolves to redirect aggression to the lower ranking wolves. When staff interacts with Lakota, they should be conscientious of what the yearlings observe. It's best to interact with her in the wooded portion of the upper enclosure or behind some of the rocks in the enclosure. If too much attention is paid to the omega while the yearlings are in the pack holding area, they will chase after her and drive her back up the hill. Since the Chlomipramine, these chases have been short-lived, but are greatly influenced by staff actions.
International Wolf Center Alpha Pack members were in Ely this weekend, studying wild wolves and bears. They also spent time with the captive wolves and were treated to a "Behind the Scenes" program and a "What's for Dinner" program dominated by the Arctic yearlings."
Student Worker Damon Haan wrote: Most of the morning Mac slept on top of the den. When she did finally start moving around 11:30 am, I could notice some stiffness in her hips, particularly her right side. Retail manager Nancy Schwartz told me that she saw Shadow nipping at Mac around 8:30 am, just near the den. Apparently, it was more or less an annoyance to Mac rather than an attempt to go after her. Lucas was the only one that greeted me initially, but as I did an enclosure check, Mac, Shadow and Malik also came to greet. Mac seemed rather wary of Shadow and Malik. Her right rear leg did look somewhat stiff, but she seemed to get around fine.
Since 5 wolves at the fence make it hard to track the delivery of vitamins and Cosequin, Malik and Shadow are generally placed in a holding pen before giving the vitamins. This ensures that each wolf gets the right dosage. Lately, when the yearlings are released, they immediately run for Lakota to remind her of her omega position. Their intensity has been increasing as winter advances and the yearlings approach sexual maturity. Even though the pack is spayed and neutered to prevent unnecessary pups, the wolves still have a hormonal surge during January and February, the natural breeding season for wolves. While dominance hierarchies and social rank order aggression is natural to a wolf pack, the confinement of captivity makes it difficult for individuals to get away from each other in an intensive display of dominance. As breeding season aggression intensifies, staff will be watchful of the dominance levels between all wolves."
After 3 days of isolation, the yearlings are allowed back into the enclosure. The re-introduction goes smoothly with Mackenzie and Lucas excitably greeting the yearlings, Lakota retreats to the corner of the building with minimal interest from the yearlings. After Mackenzie and Lucas chase the yearlings up the hill, Lakota decides to follow and runs to the top of the enclosure to chase the yearlings. Within a minute, Lakota races back down to the building followed by the other 4 wolves, she clearly has great mobility, but is not quite ready to be so far away from safety. Everything seems to be going well with limited aggression toward Lakota. Staff observe Lakota on the deer carcass several times throughout the day.
Discussed options for releasing Shadow back into the main pack. He is actually much more relaxed than would have been predicted for a lone wolf separated from the pack, so this gives us more time to discuss options. The main idea of his isolation is to give Mackenzie time to heal and reestablish her position over Lakota. Another idea was that if Shadow was isolated, the pack would create a stronger bond with Malik, thus creating a scenario where Malik would be less likely to reinforce and assist Shadow when he became aggressive toward other wolves. We (Center Veterinarian, Dr. Chip Hanson, Center Curator, Lori Schmidt, and Board Member, Dr. Larry Anderson, DMV.) discussed the use of Chlomipramine for Shadow (a chemical that slows the uptake of Seratonin in the brain, creating an animal that feel more confident in it's status and therefore, less need for challenging aggression) Chlomipramine was used successfully in keeping the wolves calm during the construction phase of the pond.
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.