Phyllis Price (wolf nanny) writes: What a wonderful, wonderful week this has been to have had the opportunity to share in the lives and socialization of two Arctic wolf puppies. Resting in the dirt beside them as they slept in order to rub their ears, look at their teeth and gums, and work with their feet will help ensure that trusted humans will always be able to provide total health care and general handling as needed for their welfare as adults. The pups will soon be introduced into the adult pack where they will, indeed, take their places as ambassador wolves for their brethren. Our job as wolf nannies will be over – a never-to-be-forgotten experience.
Nancy Gibson, naturalist and International Wolf Center Board Member cared for the Arctic Wolf Pups from the time they were 10 days old until they moved to the Center in Ely at approximately 2 months old. She will continue to write updates on the arctic pups development. These rare Arctic wolf pups were born in captivity on May 8 and will become permanent residents of the International Wolf Center in Ely, Minnesota in July. The two males each weighed a pound at birth and have already almost tripled their weight. The red-collared pup weighed 2 1/2 pounds and the blue-collared one weighed 2 3/4 pounds at ten days of age. Their eyes are just beginning to open and soon their blue eyes will be noticeable. They are eating 2 ounces of a special formula primarily made up of fresh goat's milk every four hours. They can't hear yet, but their sense of smell is good. The two pups are also quite vocal with small rumblings known as "comfort" noises. The red-collared pup made his first attempt at howling at 11 days of age and he remains the most vocal of the two pups.
Nancy Gibson, naturalist and International Wolf Center Board Member cared for the Arctic Wolf Pups from the time they were 10 days old until they moved to the Center in Ely at approximately 2 months old. She will continue to write updates on the arctic pups development. These rare Arctic wolf pups were born in captivity on May 8 and will become permanent residents of the International Wolf Center in Ely, Minnesota in July. The two males each weighed a pound at birth and have already almost tripled their weight. The red-collared pup weighed 2 1/2 pounds and the blue-collared one weighed 2 3/4 pounds at ten days of age. Their eyes are just beginning to open and soon their blue eyes will be noticeable. They are eating 2 ounces of a special formula primarily made up of fresh goat's milk every four hours. They can't hear yet, but their sense of smell is good. The two pups are also quite vocal with small rumblings known as "comfort" noises. The red-collared pup made his first attempt at howling at 11 days of age and he remains the most vocal of the two pups.
Nancy Gibson writes: The two male pups had their first vet visit on May 22. They looked quite "vigorous" according to the vet. Their weights have increased to 3.5 pounds for the red-collared pup and 3.8 pounds for the blue-collared wolf. Their collars had to be loosened one notch to accomodate their rapid growth. The diet has increased to 15 ounces of formula per day. Their eyes fully opened on May 20 at 12 days of age and they cut their front teeth that same day. The other sharp puppy teeth have emerged since then. Vocalizations have increased substantially the last two days, however their hearing has not developed yet.
Written by Pups at One Year program participant: Patty & Kate Kierski This week Shadow continued to show seriousness in his role as alpha male. He showed a high tail often when encountering Malik and watched over Grizzer and Maya in a protective way. Throughout the Pups at One Year program, he often bark-howled with a tucked tail, which showed his high level of stress with strangers in the wolf yard. Lori (the curator) was usually able to calm him with distractions after these encounters. Maya & Grizzer showed some interest when Shadow was bark-howling and sometimes whined or howled along.
Morning vitamins, Lucas very growly to everyone, kept Shadow in holding pen for extra meatballs and to give Lucas time to back off." Curator's note: It appeared that there were a few weeks of testing of Lucas's status as alpha male. Shadow initially began the interaction, but seems to avoid contact now; he is often observed sleeping apart from the pack. Lucas has been in a state of proving his status and he continues it daily. Warmer weather may calm things, but as of now, Minnesota is facing cold, snow and a slow start to spring. It does appear that Lucas and Mackenzie are strong alphas and will remain that way, but they will be 9 years old on April 24th. This is old for a wild wolf and for a captive wolf; a 9 year old generally starts to show signs of weakness. Testing of the alpha's status is a natural response of maturing wolves and is likely connected to Lakota's removal from the pack. Lakota was omega and without Lakota to take on that role, the alphas may be focusing on Shadow. Shadow, reluctant to take on the omega may be attempting to gain rank.
When Shadow wants to inititate a chase or interact with his pack mates, he has an excitement level that is worth viewing. In this week's photo, Shadow lunges into a chase of Grizzer as the two romp on the hillside. This scene was actually inititated by Grizzer and Shadow took the opportunity to have a bit of fun with it.
When Shadow wants to inititate a chase or interact with his pack mates, he has an excitement level that is worth viewing. In this week's photo, Shadow lunges into a chase of Grizzer as the two romp on the hillside. This scene was actually inititated by Grizzer and Shadow took the opportunity to have a bit of fun with it.
The following is an email response I recently sent to one of the wolf log viewers, in a three part series: The pups are doing what genetic selection and survival in the wild has perpetuated, even in captive wolves, these are behavioral instincts. Wolves have an instinct to be high ranking because in the wild, low ranking wolves may be the first to die. Some wolves have a natural personality to be lower ranking and never move up into higher ranking positions. Lakota is a very submissive personality, so it is natural for her to be lower ranking wolf in this pack and she has been since she was a pup; that is who she is. But, Lakota has the same instincts to push for dominance as the pups have. In 1999, Lakota attempted to take over Mackenzie's rank after Kiana died (Mackenzie and Lakota's littermate). Mackenzie was very bonded to Kiana and Lakota took advantage of Mackenzie during the 6-week period when she appeared to be suffering separation anxiety from Kiana's death, so we know Lakota has it in her (we also saw Lakota inflict bite wounds on Mackenzie in October when Mackenzie was going through a rough time.)
Part II discussion… All of this interaction is natural wolf behavior. In the wild, wolves need to cooperate, work together in a pack to hunt efficiently. If there wasn't a clear order of who is in charge (rank order), chances are they would be less successful in hunting prey and would ultimately not survive. So this rank order behavior in captivity has a strong instinct motivated by survival in the wild. Wolves don't act in the same terms as human emotion, fairness or kindness are terms relative to humans. Wolves are motivated by instinct and behavioral traits, some are born alphas, and some are born omegas. The pack dynamics that occurs is not stagnant. If one of the yearlings becomes vulnerable, they may loose rank, it is difficult to predict and is subject to change. The wolves physical and psychological care is the top priority for the International Wolf Center and we hope visitor's to the Center learn a greater understanding of wild wolf behavior from the lessons of Lakota, Mackenzie, Lucas, Shadow and Malik. We don't view Shadow and Malik as unkind; they are merely acting like wolves, the same way that we didn't view Lakota as unkind when she was going after Mackenzie. I know it is difficult to view this from the wolves' perspectives rather than humans but these pack members are the ambassador's to the wild wolves and they are showing us a glimpse of wild wolf behavior.
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.