Wolf Park
27 MAY 2008
When Michael first asked if I would like to visit "Wolf Park" I must admit that I was pretty impartial.
And then I discovered that it was not "just a name"....They have real, life, actual wolves at Wolf Park.
Who'd a thunk it!?
LOL !!! I know, gross isn't it? These are apparently pretty big sellers at the gift shop (though I have yet to determine exactly why). While we were on the tour we noticed that the wolves like to scratch themselves along the wire fence which results in a great deal of fur being left behind.
If anyone knows what I am supposed to do with this vial now (or has a suggestion) PLEASE let me know.
I am thinking the junk drawer has an open spot. :-)
Before we meet some of the wolves though I would like to introduce you to the 3 red foxes (Basil, Devon and Ember).
While we were waiting before the tour I got a few whiffs of what I believed to be skunk. I later found out that red foxes emit a musky smell (somewhat like skunks in fact).
They are also nocturnal (which explains the look of annoyance they have).
The tour guide also said that an average life span for a red fox is 1 to 3 years.... The white fox, Basil, is 13!!! Incredible.
I am not sure how well you can see the two above but Devon is the black fox on the left and Ember is the one on the right.Basil (below) is the white fox I spoke of earlier.
Yeppers.... still killing time before the tour starts.....
And what is a wolf park without coyotes?!Without coyotes there wouldn't be wolves.... well, not really but coyotes are all to frequently mistaken for Wolves.
The tour guide said that out of all the calls they have EVER received from individuals alerting them to the fact that there is a "wolf" in their yard it has only been an actual wolf ONCE. How crazy is that?
They currently have two coyotes:Willow (female) and Twister (male).
While I certainly would not mistake them for wolves I was quite impressed by how "healthy" they are in comparison to the skinny, scraggly coyotes we sometimes catch a glimpse of in Arizona.
Yes, my first glimpse of one of the wolves.
I believe this one's name is Renki.
I think he is absolutely beautiful. They all are really.
I also learned that when black wolves get older their fur turns silver.....
Hmmmmmm..... sounds like a certain pug I know. :-)
Oh, and before I forget....For more information (and a lot better pictures) please visit the website below:
Trust me... you will be glad you did... it is very informative. :-)
We were lucky enough to be present just before feeding time.All of a sudden there was a stench in the air and then a truck drove by with a bunch of deer legs sticking out the top. I no longer had any questions regarding what that stink may be.
The tour guide said that a good portion of their food comes from the side of the road.
People are always calling to alert them to recent "kills" and they will then drive on out and pick it up. I can imagine that the city is probably thankful for the "help."
When we approached this wolf all we could hear was a bunch of burping sounds. The tour guide said that sometimes the intestines don't always agree with them and I don't doubt it one bit. She burped the entire time he was talking and nibbled gently on that tasty stomach. I had a serious case of the giggles waiting to escape but I managed to keep my composure. Phew!
Overview of Wolf Park
Wolf Park is a nonprofit education and research facility which was established in 1972 by Dr. Erich Klinghammer. Along with research and seminars on wolf behavior, particularly reproductive and inter-pack social behavior, Wolf Park provides interpretive programs to school groups throughout the year by prearrangement. We are also open to the general public from May through November and Saturday evening for Howl Nights. The park is home to several packs of gray wolves, plus foxes and bison. We are incorporated under the North American Wildlife Park Foundation, Inc. which is located in the small town of Battle Ground, Indiana.
No comments:
Post a Comment