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I just thought I'd try asking some 'expert opinion' on some wolves I saw about a week ago.

So.. we went to the Cotswolds for the weekend. On the Saturday, we went to Cotswold Wildlife Park. Not zoo. It's not a Zoo.. no way. It's a wildlife park. There is a difference, believe me. Anyway, they have some wolves that are new to the park. Their enclosure is below a wooden platform and is an average size but will be enlarged once they settle in.

When I went to look at them they were just pacing up and down each side of the enclosure. There were three and they were just trotting up and down, meeting in the middle. They looked pretty focused and stopped to glance up at me before continuing.

Do you think they were marking their territory or just stressed/depressed?

Relating the behavior to our cats, I'd say it's mostlikely boredom... which is the biggest problem when keeping animals of an active predatory lifestyle in a park or zoo. It looks pretty much like they desire occupation (which is how we solve that problem with our tigers, lions, leopards and pumas), as they can't hunt game.

I'd say it was bordem. For some reason or another I did a LOT of reserch of wolves in 4th and 5th grade and that doesn't sound like they were marking their territory and were most likely just bored. I think the park should put in a few deer and stuff for the wolves to hunt to keep a bit of the bordem at bay, otherwise it may acculy shorten their lives if they are understress and bored.

Ah.. I see. I only thought they were marking their territory because some woman next to me was telling her daughter this.. hmm.. I feel bad now.

I guess that they can't really put live deer in their for them to hunt though.. I mean, with little kids watching and all. I feel really sorry for those wolves.. do you think they'll get used to it once their enclosure is expanded?

Seriously, no - that's the way they have to live there. We solve that problem by training our cats (actually, only those who love doing it) for shows, and allowing them a lot of contact with those who have to care for them.