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PROGRAMS
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Wolves Online
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Ambassador Wolves
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November - 2009 |
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The two newest additions to the International Wolf Center's ambassador pack, Aidan and Denali were successfully introduced to the Exhibit Pack on August 4th, 2008. Aidan and Denali, two gray wolf pups, were born on April 27, 2008 at the Wildlife Science Center in Forest Lake, Minnesota. The complete introduction took approximately 45 minutes. Under the right conditions, most wolves and wolf packs are very caring towards wolf pups, sharing feeding and pup-sitting duties and indulging in play. With the addition of the two pups to the Exhibit Pack, the Center now has, for the first time, three subspecies of the gray wolf and three age groups-the arctic wolves (Canis lupus arctos) born in 2000, Great Plains wolves (Canis lupus nubilus) born in 2004 and Rocky Mountain wolves (Canis lupus occidentalis) born in 2008. Aidan and Denali will now have weekly updates posted to reveal their individual personalities and how they are integrating into this socially dynamic pack, please check the individual logs for details.
Watch extended wolf video on the International Wolf Center's YouTube Channel.
Enjoy a close-up of wolf behavior on our four Wolf Watch Cams.
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11/16/2009
Lori Schmidt - Aidan has responded well to the anti-inflammatory medication, and while experiencing some restrictive movement based on Maya's attitude, he does manage to get daily meds at the fence, and interacts with the pack. He was laying on the slate den this morning, a sign that he is more comfortable away from the main den. Staff make a point of giving him attention, and fresh straw on the densite makes him very comfortable. The Youtube video this week shows Aidan with many tail wags and relaxation time on the den.
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| Aidan doing a timid standover Denali while Shadow watches |
| Photo: Center Staff |
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11/9/2009
Lori Schmidt - Aidan had a knee strain and was on 5 days of anti-inflammatory medication, but he is doing well today. He has been reluctant to come to the fence for meds, so staff are designing some new protocol to ensure that he gets his daily vitamins. We have also started him on Cosequin, as his joints get a lot more stress from short bursts of Maya chasing him. He spends most of his time on or in the main densite, but will rally with staff and the pack depending upon tension from Maya. In the Youtube video this week, Aidan is howling with the pack, and even with Maya near the densite.
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| Aidan at the den with a sore knee |
| Photo: Center Staff |
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11/2/2009
Lori Schmidt - Aidan's had a tough week, but seems to be starting this week in a better state. Last Monday, staff noticed that Aidan wouldn't come down for his daily meatball vitamin. He was reluctant to come any where near Maya and stayed near the den opening or on the den site. If staff waited for a while and distracted Maya, he would get his vitamin hand delivered by staff in the enclosure. This seemed to be caused by Maya's heightened anxiety. This behavior lasted all week, and even continued today, but with a shorter time for him to relax and interact. It's hard to pinpoint an incident that occurred, it's more likely an indicator of Maya's behavior than of Aidan's behavior, although, as you can see in this week's photo, he's not taking any dominance from her without a threat display.
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| Aidan threat displaying towards Maya |
| Photo: Center Staff |
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