Forget what you’ve heard about big bad wolves in children’s stories such as Little Red Riding Hood and The Three Little Pigs. Wolves can be big, but they’re certainly not bad (they’re actually afraid of humans). You can learn all about them, and see a few of these beautiful animals up close, thanks to the Wolf Conservation Center (WCC) in South Salem.
Your Visit
To visit the WCC, you must pre-register for one of their daytime, evening, or group programs. We chose to attend a recent “Pack Chat for Kids,” appropriate for younger visitors. The chat began inside a small cabin classroom where we learned about the types of wolves who live at the conservation center and about their behavior (thanks to a slideshow and some videos). Alex, the WCC educator who led our group, was informative and enthusiastic as he told us about the eight Red wolves and 10 Mexican gray wolves that are under their care.
Red and Mexican gray wolves are both endangered species. The WCC is part of a Survival Plan program for both species and have successfully welcomed pups in recent years. However, since wolves are naturally afraid of humans these are not the types you meet during your visit (though you can watch them online via webcams).
Instead, you see the Conservation Center’s Ambassador wolves – Atka, Alawa, Zephyr and Nikai. Before heading to their fenced off enclosures, our group howled at the wolves to see if they would answer. No luck just then, but we’d try again later.
Meet the Wolves
Outside of the enclosure, there are bleachers for sitting and observing the wolves as you learn more about their histories, their personalities and their eating habits.
First we met the three siblings – Alawa and Zephyr (nearly 6 years old), and Nikai (nearly 3). They are a mix of gray wolf subspecies but are primarily Canadian/Rocky Mountain gray wolf. Alawa and Zephyr were pacing near the fence as Alex spoke, knowing it was nearly time to eat. Alex threw raw chicken over the fence and the wolves jumped up to catch it (and only missed a couple of times)!
We learned that wolves only eat one to three times a week, consuming about six to 12 pounds of food each time. (The wolves at the WCC sometimes feast on venison, with people utilizing the “deer drop” at the entrance to the center for roadkill or deer killed by hunters.)
Living next to these siblings in a separate enclosure is the Conservation Center’s most famous resident, Atka. This brilliant white Arctic wolf is nearly 15 years old. He arrived at the WCC from Minnesota when he was just 8 days old and has been a big part of the center’s educational outreach. Though he’s now enjoying retirement, Atka used to go on the road, visiting areas in the Northeast and as far as Washington, D.C.
When we first saw Atka, he was resting quietly, pretty much ignoring us. But when it came time to eat, he rallied, using his enormous front paws to hold himself up on the fence as Alex fed him by hand. Those paws are something to behold.
It’s amazing how much these wolves can remind us of dogs (you may even feel like you want to pet them), but they are very much wild animals. These particular wolves have been socialized (they lived with humans for three months when young), but Alex said even though he works with them all the time, he won’t go in their enclosures. Only the humans who lived with them for those three months go in.
After Alex answered all manner of questions about the wolves (my 5-year-old son wanted to know if they eat strawberries), it was time to wrap up our visit, but not before trying one more time to hear those howls. Fortunately, WCC staff member Regan was there and made the loudest, most amazing howling sound I’ve ever heard. The wolves answered right back in a wonderful sort of symphony. Definitely a highlight of the day!
Besides the “Pack Chat for Kids,” the center offers a number of other programs such as “Evening Howls,” photo sessions, a summer wolf camp for kids, and even a program called “Sleeping with Wolves” where guests camp out near the animals. As the WCC is a private, not-for-profit environmental education organization, your visit helps to fulfill their mission to promote wolf conservation. So, don’t huff and puff. Grab your pack and go meet these magnificent creatures. It’ll be a howlin’ good time.
Andrea White is a writer and animal lover based in Edgemont. In case you were wondering, Alex said the Ambassador wolves would likely eat strawberries and that they are fans of bananas.
When You Go …
Wolf Conservation Center
*P.O. Box 421
South Salem, NY 10590
763-2373
*The Center does not list its street address because it is a private facility and is not open to drop-in visits. Visits are accommodated by registering for one of the programs listed on our Event Calendar, or by arranging a private visit.
Pre-registration is required for all onsite visits. Programs, their times and admission prices vary. Program lengths vary but are generally 1.5 hours. Dress for a field trip: sturdy shoes, suntan lotion, mosquito repellent, clothing for whatever the season demands.
