This is probably the coolest video we've ever posted. This woman reunites with the wild wolves she once socialized, and it's a great and loving reunion. It'll put a smile on your face. :)
Nah, It's only a display to remind one of them of who's the boss. It only sounds agressive because you don't understand what they are communicating to each other. In fact, their love for each other runs as deep as any human's. Note that there are no yelps of pain in the conversation.
I was fortunate to raise a hybrid wolf. Her mother was 1/2 Timber wolf, 1/2 Alsatian; her father was a full-blooded Timber wolf. I had her from age five weeks and offered to raise and care for her after studying imprinting and bonding of wolves via a local scholar/writer who lived with a female wolf in Georgetown, D.C.
I slept with her in my bed so that she would imprint with my scent and identify with my voice and behaviours. She was a magnificent animal, all white and larger than most German Shepherds. At the time, my two children were away at school thus she attached to me as the Alpha female and naturally determined that she was the elder or Alpha sibling.
When the children were home from school she established the pecking order and made it clear that she listened only to me. She was affectionate and responsive to both my son and daughter but they could not direct her to do anything unless, upon looking to me, I told her first.
She lived with me in my home, not in an outdoor enclosure; in direct opposition to the advice I'd been given from a "Wolf Rescue specialist" who insisted that she could not be habituated to a human environment. She was and continued to be for her lifetime. Her name was Psyche and she taught me more than any animal or human has managed to impart.
She lived with and played with my three cats and was only mildly threatening to someone who approached me without my first introducing her.
The behaviours of the wolves in the film are reminiscent of her behaviours and others that I've subsequently studied. The growling and apparent aggressive behaviour is merely a reminder of a more predominant pack member to another. The whimpering and whining that one hears in the film is not fear or a sign of distress; it's actually in indication of strong emotion; in this case, excitement and an abundance of joy at recognizing the visitor and her scent.
An earlier comment regarding the woman's behaviour and her 'open mouth' when the wolves appeared to be licking her face is an appropriate greeting. It is both a sign of affection and trust and the wolves recognized it as such, thus their clambering upon her and wish to also make the same contact.
Lastly, the two wolves who appeared to be tussling were actually working out a 'pecking order'. The Alpha, probably an older male sibling was merely reminding the one lying on her back that she needed to behave within the proper strictures of wolf society. And, society is the appropriate word. Wolves are phenomenally affectionate and devoted to their pack members and, interestingly, it's the older male "Uncles" who usually mind the cubs whilst both male and female go out for the day to hunt and to play.
This was a sentimental reminder for me of a very precious relationship and I appreciate the inclusion of this on SOTT's site. Thanks.
It is interesting how the wolves are aggressive between themselves, but not with her.