Best Places To See Wolves
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For permission to use or for more information about wolf photographs please write Monty Sloan of Wolf Park.
WOLVES TODAY: current situation and conflicts
Wolves used to be common throughout much of North America but today mainly live in Canada and adjoining states. About 6,000 to 8,000 wolves live in Alaska and 5,000 in the lower 48 states, mainly in Minnesota, according to the Fish and Wildlife Service.
Wolves were wiped out in most areas by ranchers worried about wolves eating livestock, legal and illegal hunters, European immigrants superstitious about werewolves and government bounties. From the 1600s up until the 1960s all levels of government have offered a bounty for each wolf killed. Many believe the elimination of the wolf led to the current abundance of deer and coyote.
Wolves have recovered thanks to the Endangered Species Act, re-introduction programs and migrants from Canada. The coywolf, a hybrid of wolf and coyote, has spread east to the coast, filling in as a predator where wolves were wiped out.
Wolf attacks on livestock are rare, but ranchers do suffer losses. Ranchers that suspect depredation by wolves are usually permitted to have the wolves killed. Defenders of Wildlife reimburses some losses. Big game hunters have also fought wolf reintroductions, worried that wolves would eat the elk, deer, moose or other animals they want to shoot.
Of three worldwide wolf species--gray wolf Canis lupus, red wolf Canis rufus and Ethiopian wolf, Canis simensis--North America has two species, red and gray. The gray wolf currently has five subspecies linked to location (Arctic, Mexican, Great Plains/buffalo, Rocky Mountain and Eastern Timber). Biologists are still sorting out the wild canid categories, which is confused by interbreeding.
The red wolf was re-introduced to North Carolina's Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, but it is breeding with coyote. Wolves were brought back to Yellowstone in 1985, leading to a more natural balance in population. The wolf was removed from the Endangered Species List in 2008. Eleven conservation groups sued, saying the wolf population is still not sustainable because it is fractured among Yellowstone, central Idaho, and northwestern Montana.
The last few remaining Mexican wolves were captured by 1980 to enter a captive breeding program at zoos across the country. Their offspring were re-introduced at Blue Range Wolf Recovery Area (BRWRA) in the Apache National Forest, but still only 52 survive in the wild as of 2008, only half the number expected. Dozens of wolves were returned to captivity for attacking livestock or illegally shot.
The Alaska Division of Wildlife Conservation allows the aerial hunting of wolves in 10% of the state for the stated purpose of allowing humans to eat more moose and deer. Conservation groups are fighting to outlaw the practice and Alaska voters have agreed twice.
Despite centuries of effort to eliminate the wolf from the North American landscape, wolves are popping up in places they haven't been seen in a long time.
For permission to use or for more information about wolf photographs please write Monty Sloan of Wolf Park.
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VIEWING TIPS
Wolves are extremely difficult to see in the wild. You have a much better chance of just trying to hear them howl at night. In the few places around the country that you might see them--Yellowstone, upper Minnesota and parts of Alaska--you will improve your chances greatly by hiring a local guide or going on a wolf tour. The Alligator River Wildlife Refuge in North Carolina offers night tours to hear their re-introduced red wolf howl. The International Wolf Center has learning vacations to all the big places around the country to see wolves in the wild.
Wolf tourism is becoming an important economic factor in the debate over wolf management. According to Defenders of Wildlife, wolves bring more than 150,000 people and $35 million to the Yellowstone area each year.
For many people a far more practical option will be to see wolves at a local refuge. Even while ranchers and hunters have killed off wild wolves, individuals around the country were carving out tiny safe havens for wolves. Chicagoans can see wolves up close at Indiana's Wolf Park or Lockport's Big Run Wolf Ranch. New Yorkers are only an hour from the New York Wolf Conservation Center and within two hours of the Lakota Wolf Preserve. These refuges vary greatly in size and mission, from small family operations set up to save an individual wolf to large research facilities, such as Minnesota's International Wolf Center or the Endangered Wolf Center outside St. Louis. Some also help wild wolves through captive breeding or wildlife rehabilitation.
BEST PLACES TO SEE WOLVES
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Midwest - See other animals in the Midwest |
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International Wolf Center - MN The International Wolf Center has daily programs. You can meet ambassador wolves, attend seminars or having a learning vacation. Reservations required. 800-ELY-WOLF (800-359-9653) 1396 Hwy 169 Ely, MN |
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Wolf Park - In Wolf behavioral biologist Erich Klinghammer founded Wolf Park in 1972 as a nonprofit to research wolves and educate the public about them. Wolf Park is open to the public during summer, including Saturday night wolf howls. 1.5 miles north on Jefferson/Harrison Street from State Road 225 Battle Ground, IN, (765) 567-2265 |
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Big Run Wolf Ranch - IL - Suburban Chicago The Big Run Wolf Ranch is a federally licensed non-profit educational facility. John and Julie Basile, a biology teacher, have rescued wolves, a black bear, a skunk and other animals from death. They now educate the public at school events or special open houses. 14857 S Farrell Rd., Lockport, IL (815) 588-0044 |
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Isle Royale - MI (on Canadian border)
Isle Royale National Park has gray wolves that are believed to have walked over an ice bridge some time after 1940. The wolves are hard to see. The wolves depend on the island's moose and both populations have been hit hard by ticks. The predator-prey relationship has been studied for 50 years. Isle Royale is only accessible by boat. Ferries come from Houghton and Copper Harbor, Michigan and Grand Portage, Minnesota. (906) 482-0984 |
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Wolf Timbers - OH Wolf Timbers is dedicated to the preservation of timber wolves through public education and research. During the summer it's open to visitors every day. They also offer night howls, photography sessions and private tours. French Hill Road/Twp. Hwy 379 Bolivar, OH 330-323-0815, toll free 866-USA-WOLF |
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Sandhill Wildlife Area - Outdoor Skills Center - WI Sandhill Outdoor Skills Center offers classes on tracking Wisconsin wolves and a chance to volunteer in the wolf census. 1715 County Highway X, Babcock, WI, (715) 884-2437 |
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Northeast - See other animals in the Northeast |
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Lakota Wolf Preserve - NJ The Lakota Wolf Preserve houses timber, tundra and arctic wolves in an area of the country where wolves are now extinct. Packs are separated into fenced areas. You can tour behind the fence or have a photography tour inside the fence. Mount Pleasant Rd., Columbia, NJ (908) 496-9244 |
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Cape Cod Coywolf Field School Jon Way, a wildlife biologist who studies and advocates for the coy-wolf, lets you tag along on expeditions for Eastern Coyote Research to watch and radio track America's new predominant canine predator. You can go for just a dusk or dawn field school or spend a few days, even staying at his house. |
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Wolf Conservational Center - NY - Westchester County The New York Wolf Conservation Center promotes the preservation of wolves through education and captive breeding and release programs. The public can visit at programs several times a week, including wolf howls. The center helps with the recovery of extremely rare Mexican Gray Wolves and Red Wolves. The 7 Buck Run, South Salem, NY (914) 763-2373 |
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Wolf Hollow - Ma Wolf Hollow allows visitors to get an upclose look a pack of pack of British Colombian timber wolves and learn about their place in nature. Presentations regularly on weekends--less in winter. 114 Essex Rd., Ipswich, MA (978) 356-0216 |
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Wolf and Wild Canine Sanctuary - VT The Wolf and Wild Canine Sanctuary is a small non-profit sanctuary for unwanted, abandoned and illegally imported wolves. The sanctuary used to take in hybrids, but now concentrates on wolves. Open for visitors, just call. 175 Bliss Road, White River Junction, VT (802) 295-5378 |
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Wolf Sanctuary of Pennsylvania
The Wolf Sanctuary of Pennsylvania houses about 40 wolves. This non-profit has been open for decades and educates the public on daytime and nighttime tours (reservations required). 465 Speedwell Forge Rd., Lititz, PA (717) 626-4617 |
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Plains -- See other animals on the Plains |
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Texas - See other animals in Texas |
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South - See other aninals Down South |
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Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge - NC The Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge is hosting the important re-introduction of the endangered red wolves to the east coast. The species was extinct in the wild as of 1980. This peninsula is ideal because could cut down on cross-breeding with coyotes. |
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Endangered Wolf Center - MO
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Bays Mountain Park - TN Bays Mountain Park rehabilitates injured wild animals and keeps the ones that wouldn't make it in the wild. Their gray wolf pack has 1.5 acres and a dedicated wolf cam. The park also takes care of otters, bobcats, raptors and snakes. 853 Bays Mountain Park Rd Kingsport, TN (423) 229-9447 |
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Western North Carolina Nature Center
The Western North Carolina Nature Center is home to a pair of rare red wolves that are part of a captive breeding program. The center also houses river otters, black bear, gray wolves and other animals that can't be released. 828-298-5600 75 Gashes Creek Rd Asheville, NC 28803 |
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Wolf Howl Animal Preserve - MS
Wolf Howl Animal Preserve is a safe haven for wolves (usually bred in other facilities) that offers private tours. 1177 State Road 355, Etta, MS (662) 534-8112 |
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Florida - See other animals in Florida |
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Seacrest Wolf Preserve - Fl The Seacrest Wolf Preserve is home to wolves and wolf-hybrids that former owners discarded. The center offers educational tours. 3449 Bonnett Pond Rd. Chipley, FL (850) 773-2897 |
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The West - See other animals out West |
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Yellowstone National Park - WY
Many packs of wolves live in Yellowstone National Park, especially around Lamar Valley. The wolves were re-introduced in 1985 after being wiped out. They are most easily seen in early morning in February, when they mate, but can be seen all year. According to Defenders of Wildlife, wolves bring more than 150,000 people and $35 million to the Yellowstone area each year. Lamar Valley is off the NE Entrance Road, which comes into the park off Route 212 in Cooke City. Many guides will help you find the animals. The nonprofit Yellowstone Institute offers classes in the field. Yellowstone National Park 307-344-7381 Yellowstone Institute 307-344-2293 |
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Gila and Apache National Forests - AZ and NM The Gila and Apache National Forests have one of the rarest animals in North America: the critically endangered Mexican gray wolf(Canus lupus baileyi). Despite decades of breeding and reintroductions on both sides of the international border, only about 40 survive in the wild. Local ranchers, who graze on federal lands at discounted rates, are the prime suspects in the 36 shootings. The Arizona Fish and Game Dept., in a really expensive effort to show these ranchers where the wolves are, posts weekly updates on the packs' locations. |
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Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center - MT - Outside Yellowstone The Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center offers a place for injured bears and wolves to live out their lives and educate the public. If you don't see the animals on your visit to Yellowstone, here's your second chance. One block south of the west entrance to Yellowstone National Park 201 South Canyon, West Yellowstone, MT (800) 257-2570 |
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Mission Wolf - CO Mission: Wolf cares for 40 wolves and wolf-hybrids that couldn't make it in the wild. They pride themselves on their priorities: "wolves first, education second and paperwork last." But they eagerly welcome visitors who hope to learn about wolves. 13388 County Road 634 • Gardner, CO 81040 |
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Wolf Education & Research Center - ID The Wolf Education & Research Center (WERC) teaches the public about gray wolves on on the Nez Perce Reservation. The center offers regular tours in the summer and special educational experiences, such as wolf tracking. 518 Joseph Ave., Winchester, ID (208) 924-6960 |
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Wolf Haven International - WA Wolf Haven rescues captive-born wolves (and foxes and wolf-hybrids) from roadside zoos, animal collectors and researchers. Wolf Haven International, 3111 Offut Lake Rd. SE, Tenino, WA (800) 448-9653 |
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Animal Ark Sanctuary - NV The Animal Ark Sanctuary takes in native and exotic animals that don't have the skills or physical ability to survive in the wild. Residents include black bears, wolves, foxes, owls and many big cats (cheetah, bobcat, tiger, lynx, leopard). 1265 Deerlodge Rd., Reno, NV (775) 970-3111 |
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Colorado Wolf & Wildlife Center
Colorado Wolf & Wildlife Center gives a home to wolves, fox, and other animals. The center wants to teach people who think they may want a wolf hybrid about the approximately 250,000 wolf-dogs that are born in the US every year, almost 80% will likely die before they reach their third birthday. Twin Rock Road, off U.S. Hwy 24, Divide, CO, (719) 687-9742 |
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Howling Acres Wolf Sanctuary - Or Howling Acres Wolf Sanctuary takes in injured wild wolves and wolves people tried to make into pets, then abandoned. The Labat family also gives daily tours to educate the public. 555 Davidson Rd., Williams, OR (541) 846-8962 |
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Wolfkeep Wildlife Sanctuary - MT Wolfkeep Wildlife Sanctuary keeps a pack of nine arctic wolves and one gray wolf. They have different activities throughout the year to teach the public about wolves and let people be near the wolves. They offer photo sessions, research opportunities, sweat lodges. 23545 Mt Highway 200 E, Bonner, MT, 406-244-5207 |
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White Wolf Sanctuary - Or The White Wolf Sanctuary allows 8-10 pure arctic wolves to roam over 40 enclosed acres. These animals are injured or abandoned and can't make it in the wild. Private tours available. Tidewater, OR (541) 528-3588 |
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Alaska - See other animals in Alaska |
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Katmai National Park - AK Katmai National Park has a large population of gray wolves, which can often be seen at Brooks Falls, which has a platform to view the 100-some grizzly bears that fish for salmon here. The wolves also fish here. Brooks Camp, about 30 miles from King Salmon, is where most visitors go and it's only accessible by boat or plane. (907) 246-3305 |
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Denali National Park - Alaska |
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California -- See other animals in California |
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Wolf Mountain Sanctuary The 30-year-old Wolf Mountain Sanctuary is where animators for Twilight: New Moon learned to get the feel of wolves. Outside San Bernadino, the Sanctuary is a sanctuary home for 17 wolves that would have been euthanized after they were used in show biz or as pets. The sanctuary lets you get close to the wolves, believing that since they were raised with humans, they need human love. A one hour tour is $20; all day is $125. (760) 248-7818 |
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Wolves-N-Wildlife - CA Wolves-N-Wildlife is an educational facility in the mountains that has gray wolves, a black bear and a siberian tiger. Tours available for school groups and private parties. 2550 S Mountain Rd. Fillmore, CA (805) 524-0781 |
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California Wolf Center
The California Wolf Center is home to several packs of gray wolves. They work on wolf conservation, research and public education. Visitors get to meet some of the wolves in a program every Saturday. The center houses a secluded pack of endangered Mexican Wolves to aid in the recovery effort. California Wolf Center, 1800 Hwy. 78, Julian, CA (760) 765-0030 |
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Hawaii --- See other animals in Hawaii |
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Canada -- See other animals in Canada |
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Northern Lights Wildlife Wolf CentrE - CANADA - British Columbia The Northern Lights Wildlife Wolf Centre has a pack of wolves that were raised in captivity and are not releasable. The wolves live in a 1.25 acre enclosure. The public can visit, see the wolves and learn about their place in the wild. 1745 Short Road, Golden, BC Canada V0A 1H1 (250) 344.6798 or toll free 1.877.377.WOLF |
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British Columbia Wildlife Park Kamloops - Canada
The BC Wildlife Park Kamloops takes in injured, orphaned and sick local wildlife. Those that can be released are at the appropriate time and place. Those who can't make it in the wild stay and teach the public. They have wolves, black and grizzly bear, lynx, cougar, birds of prey, badger, bison, reindeer and elk. 9077 Dallas Dr, Kamloops, BC, Canada (250) 573-3242 |
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Haliburton Forest Wolf Centre - Canada Ontario Haliburton Forest Wolf Centre has a huge (15 acre) enced in area for a small pack of gray wolves. Because the area is so large, it may be hard to see them, but they say your chances are pretty good. 1095 Redken Dr, RR#1 Haliburton, ON, Canada (705) 754-2198 |
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WOLF ADVENTURE - Canada - Saskatchewan
Wolf outreach /eco conservation center that Gray wolves of various subspecies including the elusive and rare Arctic wolf live in this provincially licensed park. A Wolf Adventure offers eco-adventures to foster an appreciation of nature and this highly misunderstood rarely seen wild animal. Visit by appointment to meet and photograph wolves within their enclosure or outside on a leash. Volunteers needed, even short-term. Donations for an interactive visit vary. About $20-$25 per adult. Box 37 Macdowall Saskatchewan, Canada S0K -2S0 (306) 922-4510 Duck Lake No. 463, SK, Canada |
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Latin America -- See other animals in Latin America |
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Maned Wolf of Argentina The area around Corrientes, Argentina, is on the southern edge of where the maned wolf lives. According to research, about 42% of people in the area have seen one in the last year, usually in flooded grasslands. The IUCN says about 24,000 maned wolves, which are unscientifically known as "foxes on stilts," still exist, with about 21,000 in Brazil. |
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Maned Wolf of Brazil Maned wolves mainly live in Brazil and the Canastra Nartional Park is in the center of their range. Animal tourists have spotted them there--or at least their sign. The IUCN says about 22,000 of the 24,000 maned wolves live in Brazil and classifies it as near threatened. |
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Europe - See other animals in Europe |
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Wolf Watch UK
Wolf Watch UK is a sanctuary that allows members to visit, photograph and listen to its wolves and wolf-hybrids. They do not accept visitors shorter than 5 feet. Wolf admirers started the center to take in wolves that were not doing well in zoos wildlife parks. (office only, to visit email the center at born. wolfwatchuk@lonewolfadministration.co.uk ) 102 Nelson Way |
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Feadon Farm Wildlife Centre, Cornwall, UK Feadon Farm Wildlife Centre is part of a luxury lodge, Gwel an Mor,
which takes in wildlife, especially foxes, and leads tours at night to try to see wild fox, deer and badger. They rescued a fox cub in 2010 that became a media sensation by befriending their lurcher dog.
They also have falconry demonstrations.
Portreath, Redruth, Cornwall TR16 4PE, UK 01209 842 354 |
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Saarland, Germany Werner Freund has been studyingand breeding wolves in Saarland for 30 years. You can visit his Wolfspark, right outside Merzig on days that he is open and see wolves from around the world. Directions Waldstraße, Merzig, Germany
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South of France Wolves returned naturally to France in 1992. This center gets people used to the idea and the conflicts surrounding the wolf. There are programs about what shepherds think and captive wolf packs to see. |
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Parc des Goups de Gevaudan The Parc des Goups du Gévaudan started as one journalist's dream to save wolves in the 60s. Now 130 wolves of various species from around the world live here and 100,000 people a year visit to catch a glimpse. |
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Gueret, France Several packs of European gray wolves roam acres of land. Les Loups de Chabrières was set up to educate the public about wolves and repair their image. You see them in the almost-wild from behind a giant wall with windows. |
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Abrusso, Italy Italy has Italian wolves (Canis lupus italicus) from nearly top to bottom, but just not that many of them. Majella National Park (Parco Nazionale Della Majella) is one place you might see them. |
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Romania Europe's biggest wolf population lives in Romania. About 3,000 wolves live in the Carpathian Mountains, according to the NWF. |
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Africa |
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Botswana The Moremi Game Reserve is supposed to be one of the best wildlife destinations in Africa. It's got hippo ponds, elephants, zebra, buffalo, giraffe, lion, leopard, cheetah, hyaena, jackal, impala, and red lechwe. African wild dogs are studied here. Heron rookeries and storks draw birders toGcadikwe lagoon. Its 99km north of Maun. The reserve forced locals to move their village to Kwai. Viewing best in July - Oct dry season when animals have to come close to water. |
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Ethiopia Simien Mountains National Park is one of the last holdouts of the endangered Ethiopian Wolf (which is also called Simien Fox, Simien Jackal, Loup D'Abyssinie, Lobo Etiope)
The Ethiopian government hasn't let researchers start a captive breeding program to save the species. Bonus species: Gelada Baboon, and the Walia Ibex
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South Africa Mankwe Wildlife Reserve, near Pilanesberg National Park outside Pretoria, has programs to help restore brown hyenas and Cape Griffon vultures. Responsible Travel promotes a two week volunteer vacation: "you’ll conduct wildlife surveys looking out for not just the animals themselves but for footprints, droppings and other signs as well. You will also sample predators at night, playing tape recordings of their prey to attract them and conducting spotlight transects." The center itself has a chalet to rent. Bonus species: white rhino, hyena, elephant, lion leopard
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Asia |
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Rajasthan, India Only a few thousand Indian wolves (Canis lupus pallipes) are left. Kumbalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary may be one of the best places to see them. Udaipur tourist officials claim they're easy to spot: "This sanctuary inhabits more than forty wolves in number. In the summers, one can easily find pack of wolves strolling around water sources in the sanctuary." |
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Kazakhstan Kazakhstan has the world's largest wolf population, about 90,000, despite decades of hunting them for bounties. Its biggest nature reserve is Altyn-Emel National Park |
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Australia |
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Dingo Discovery Centre Dingoes, the native Australian wolf, have much the same image problem here as wolves around the world. Plus, people just think they're baby-eating dogs. So, dog judges Lyn and Peter Watson set up the Dingo Discovery Centre, just outside Melbourne, to let people see these wild canids in action and learn about them. Call for reservations. |
