What are the wolves up to?
Further photos and updates are available on the "UKWCT Friends" Facebook group.
(Please note: the group is not an official UKWCT site; opinions and views posted there may differ from those of the UKWCT.)
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2018
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It was another sunny morning, and as with last week the Arctics watched my arrival with interest. They continued watching as I unloaded some tech equipment from my car; a laptop, a monitor and several cables and adapters. The other volunteers arrived and we set about running some new cabling inside the education room... the end result being that the Arctic webcam is now online again, providing a view into our main enclosure. The link for the webcam is here, and it will update every minute, just as before.
We then prepared for the Beenhams' walk, and with more volunteers than last week we set out on a longer walk, following a similar route to the old members' walks that we used to run. The wolves ambled along to the southern part of the site, whereupon Nuka found something irresistable to roll in. With eyes half-closed, he blissfully rubbed himself in some badger poo, and carried the pungent scent with him for the rest of the walk. We carried on along the usual route, but when we reached the "log field" (where the wolves used to jump onto a large log for photos), we found our route blocked... a tree had come down, stopping us from going the usual way.
We did an about turn (which puzzled the wolves for a bit), went through a wooded area, then followed the path between the Beenham and Arctic enclosures. The wolves had a good sniff around and as we headed north to the stream a deer ran out from the hedgerow - just as happened last week. When we reached the stream, Tala and Nuka crossed a small bridge to the other side, but there's not much room over there! Nuka jumped into the water, having a great time, then somewhat clumsily climbed back up to dry land.
We stopped a couple of times on the walk to give the wolves some attention, then it was time to put them back in their enclosure and grab some lunch. Before the wolves had their food, though, we gave the Arctics some scratches through the fence, then we went in with the Beenhams. Nuka did a double-take when he saw me come in, and he followed us over to a wooden platform. All three wolves came over, with Tala and Tundra rubbing on everyone, then standing while a fuss was made of them, meanwhile Nuka flopped over for some belly rubs. Nuka was very equitable, coming up to people one at a time for rubs and scratches.
It's always a bit different when I'm giving Nuka a fuss. I saw he was keeping a close eye on me, seeing if I was paying attention (which I was). I half-expected him to play his "Jack in the box" game (where he suddenly gets up and runs away at a rapid pace), but all he did was extend a paw towards me, stretching luxuriantly. He then put more pressure on me with his paw, and shortly after launched off at a rate of knots, play-bowing with his tail up and waving, a very happy looking wolf. When he realised I wasn't, in fact, going to chase him, he wandered over to someone else for a fuss instead. The wolves then pivoted round to look towards the food shed, so we took that as our cue to leave and sorted out their food, while one of the volunteers went to saw the fallen tree in the log field.
The wolves had some dried trachea again as a treat, and this time one of the lamb tracheas landed on the platform in the Beenhams' enclosure. Nuka clearly wanted it, cruising around the edge of the platform with his eyes fixed on it. Back and forth he went, but he didn't figure out the easy way to get it (by going around the far side of the platform). In the end Tundra strolled up, leapt onto the platform and scoffed the trachea - Nuka missed out that time!
We then tidied up and headed out, having had a successful day with the wolves.
We then prepared for the Beenhams' walk, and with more volunteers than last week we set out on a longer walk, following a similar route to the old members' walks that we used to run. The wolves ambled along to the southern part of the site, whereupon Nuka found something irresistable to roll in. With eyes half-closed, he blissfully rubbed himself in some badger poo, and carried the pungent scent with him for the rest of the walk. We carried on along the usual route, but when we reached the "log field" (where the wolves used to jump onto a large log for photos), we found our route blocked... a tree had come down, stopping us from going the usual way.
We did an about turn (which puzzled the wolves for a bit), went through a wooded area, then followed the path between the Beenham and Arctic enclosures. The wolves had a good sniff around and as we headed north to the stream a deer ran out from the hedgerow - just as happened last week. When we reached the stream, Tala and Nuka crossed a small bridge to the other side, but there's not much room over there! Nuka jumped into the water, having a great time, then somewhat clumsily climbed back up to dry land.
We stopped a couple of times on the walk to give the wolves some attention, then it was time to put them back in their enclosure and grab some lunch. Before the wolves had their food, though, we gave the Arctics some scratches through the fence, then we went in with the Beenhams. Nuka did a double-take when he saw me come in, and he followed us over to a wooden platform. All three wolves came over, with Tala and Tundra rubbing on everyone, then standing while a fuss was made of them, meanwhile Nuka flopped over for some belly rubs. Nuka was very equitable, coming up to people one at a time for rubs and scratches.
It's always a bit different when I'm giving Nuka a fuss. I saw he was keeping a close eye on me, seeing if I was paying attention (which I was). I half-expected him to play his "Jack in the box" game (where he suddenly gets up and runs away at a rapid pace), but all he did was extend a paw towards me, stretching luxuriantly. He then put more pressure on me with his paw, and shortly after launched off at a rate of knots, play-bowing with his tail up and waving, a very happy looking wolf. When he realised I wasn't, in fact, going to chase him, he wandered over to someone else for a fuss instead. The wolves then pivoted round to look towards the food shed, so we took that as our cue to leave and sorted out their food, while one of the volunteers went to saw the fallen tree in the log field.
The wolves had some dried trachea again as a treat, and this time one of the lamb tracheas landed on the platform in the Beenhams' enclosure. Nuka clearly wanted it, cruising around the edge of the platform with his eyes fixed on it. Back and forth he went, but he didn't figure out the easy way to get it (by going around the far side of the platform). In the end Tundra strolled up, leapt onto the platform and scoffed the trachea - Nuka missed out that time!
We then tidied up and headed out, having had a successful day with the wolves.
Food and drink
The Arctics
Beenham Walk
A blustery Saturday gave way to a sunny Sunday morning, with the Arctics watching with interest as I arrived at the Trust.
Since the last update things have carried on much as usual, with the most visible change being that the Beenhams have now moved into our middle enclosure (the bottom one had become very muddy with the winter rain). A few trees had been toppled by the strong winds recently, but thankfully none had come down near the enclosures.
The other volunteers arrived and we got the Beenhams ready for their walk, this time around the back fields. I had Nuka, and he trotted along happily, stopping as usual for the odd fuss (and belly rub) - he really is an affable wolf. His sisters, meanwhile, were eyeing each other up, with the occasional squabble necessitating some nimble handling skills! It's unusual for them to be doing this so late in the year, it normally only happens during breeding season. As well as checking out the fallen trees, the wolves sniffed various animal trails with interest - and at one point a deer went bounding away in the distance. Nuka tracked where the deer had been, but of course it had long gone!
At the bottom of the field Nuka went in the stream, for a paddle, then all three wolves stopped for another session of belly rubs and strokes - with the sun beating down, it was a pleasant scene.
We put the wolves back in their enclosure, and on the way back to the education room gave the Arctics a fuss through the fence. We then set about our usual tasks: preparing food, and in my case sorting out some of the Trust's IT. I've found out why the webcam has stopped working and have ordered some extra cabling and adapters: with luck, it'll be working again soon.
The wolves enjoyed their usual meal of chicken and beef, with some salmon and beef/lamb trachea as treats. Nuka really wasn't sure with the salmon (the other wolves were much less cautious), and to our amusement the wolves - both the Beenhams and the Arctics - rolled on their trachea treats before eventually crunching and eating them.
We then tidied up and headed our separate ways, having had another enjoyable day with the wolves.
Since the last update things have carried on much as usual, with the most visible change being that the Beenhams have now moved into our middle enclosure (the bottom one had become very muddy with the winter rain). A few trees had been toppled by the strong winds recently, but thankfully none had come down near the enclosures.
The other volunteers arrived and we got the Beenhams ready for their walk, this time around the back fields. I had Nuka, and he trotted along happily, stopping as usual for the odd fuss (and belly rub) - he really is an affable wolf. His sisters, meanwhile, were eyeing each other up, with the occasional squabble necessitating some nimble handling skills! It's unusual for them to be doing this so late in the year, it normally only happens during breeding season. As well as checking out the fallen trees, the wolves sniffed various animal trails with interest - and at one point a deer went bounding away in the distance. Nuka tracked where the deer had been, but of course it had long gone!
At the bottom of the field Nuka went in the stream, for a paddle, then all three wolves stopped for another session of belly rubs and strokes - with the sun beating down, it was a pleasant scene.
We put the wolves back in their enclosure, and on the way back to the education room gave the Arctics a fuss through the fence. We then set about our usual tasks: preparing food, and in my case sorting out some of the Trust's IT. I've found out why the webcam has stopped working and have ordered some extra cabling and adapters: with luck, it'll be working again soon.
The wolves enjoyed their usual meal of chicken and beef, with some salmon and beef/lamb trachea as treats. Nuka really wasn't sure with the salmon (the other wolves were much less cautious), and to our amusement the wolves - both the Beenhams and the Arctics - rolled on their trachea treats before eventually crunching and eating them.
We then tidied up and headed our separate ways, having had another enjoyable day with the wolves.
The Arctics and food
The Beenhams
