12z today - High pressure (the same one we've had all week) lies to the SW, pumping returning tropical maritime air over the UK. Conditions at 12PM on Sunday: Thickness, 544dam, temperature 6C(dewpoint 3C). Wind from the WNW, 8 MPH. Today's high, 7C, last night's low 4C. (source: MetO, the 12z GFS and NOAA).

A few days ago there was a howling northeasterly and lying snow in this part of Kent. Apart from the temperature going up a few degrees the weather's been overcast for much of the time since then and so it was this morning - the day dawned to reveal sheets of grey across the sky.

It was still overcast as I arrived at the Trust although I wasn't thinking of the current weather. The prospect of significant snow in a week weighed heavily on my mind, but there wasn't much time to think about it before the Europeans started to howl - that set off the rest of the wolves.

http://www.medvale.net/wolves/05-01-30/jan30.mp3

That was quickly followed by a game of chase, with occasional pauses for Latea to receive a drubbing from Lunca. Amusingly enough Alba seems to prefer Latea at the moment, despite Lunca's best efforts to keep her sister as the underdog. It's all part of the elevated activity around the breeding season and it's fascinating to watch!

What better way to cool off after a hectic dash than to dunk yourself in a water trough?

Soon after that others started to arrive and it was time to head back to the Obs Room.

View to the North, 0855z (Beenham)

Today I headed down to Kodiak and Kenai's enclosure to help with the cleaning, with both wolves coming over to have a sniff (and in Kodiak's case, a scent mark). The two elderly wolves hadn't made much mess at all and in no time at all I was back in the Obs Room.

Kenai.

It was a handlers day today, a day off from walking the wolves with the public around. Instead there was a great deal of info imparted, with particular attention on the health & safety aspects of the Trust. Indeed, safety is the most important thing of all, especially in today's litigious society. There was also a fun test to see how much we all knew about the Trust and wolves, with questions ranging from details about the Dangerous Wild Animals Act (1976) to Kodiak, Kenai, Duma and Dakota's relationships to each other. As expected I picked up some new facts - apparently Duma and Dakota are half sisters to Kenai!

Then there was time for a new activity - role playing. No, not the sort of thing involving orcs and dragons, but a simulation of "meet and greets" with Duma and Dakota in their enclosure. It was a great experience, especially playing the role of a member of the public trying to stroke the wolf's head! (For what it's worth that's seen as being dominant and although it's a natural urge for people, especially those with dogs, it's strongly discouraged. The reason we stroke the wolves on their bellies is that it's comforting to them, reminding them of what their mother would do to them as pups.)

There was also practice at handling the wolves when they roll (as keeping the lead away from flailing paws etc is very important).

Dakota rolling in some aftershave sprayed on the grass.

To encourage the wolves to roll around, some foul smelling aftershave was used. Wolves love to put their scent over things and such a strong scent made them both roll all over the place to try and cover it up.

One thing worth mentioning was despite the temperatures being on the mild side (7C), the wind felt really cold - annoying really as it's a mild northerly rather than a "proper" northerly blast. Still, I didn't worry about the wind for too long...

It finally happened today - I was tested! Not by any humans, but rather by Duma. Thankfully using the magic word "come" and a firm (but not rough) force on the lead worked, but boy did I feel mean for doing it! By showing that I meant what I said I was exerting dominance over Duma, as had I let her get away with wandering where she shouldn't I'd have been letting her dominate me and that's not what you'd want as a handler. She knew full well that I was on the other end of the lead and was seeing what she could get away with, something that will no doubt become more common as breeding season approaches.

After that there were a few glorious minutes in the enclosure with the wolves (off the lead) milling around us all, then it was time for a debrief back in the Obs Room.

Dakota

Duma and Dakota, just before we all left the enclosure. They're watching the European wolves.

Soon after that it was time to get back on the road and head back to Kent, with temperatures around 8C.

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