Monday, September 3, 2012

International Wolf Center


Wolf Close Up
Earlier this summer I spent a week up north photographing. I ended up staying a night in Ely, MN which is where the International Wolf Center is located. It had been years since Michelle and I had last visited the center so I decided to drop in to take some pictures. The International Wolf Center was founded in 1985 by a group of biologists. The purpose behind the organization is to advance the survival of wolf populations by teaching about wolves, their relationship to wild lands, and the human role in their future.
Luna the Wolf Pup
The 17,000 square-foot center building was built in 1993. From inside the center their are viewing windows into the 1.25 acre wolf enclosure. When I was at the center in July it was just Aiden and Denali in the main enclosure, the top photo is either Aiden or Denali. At that point the two new pups, Boltz and Luna, were not quite old enough to join the adults. They did bring them into a fenced in area inside the center so that we could get a peek, the bottom photo is of Luna. Since then Boltz and Luna have joined the Exhibit Pack. There are also a couple of secondary enclosure dens for retired wolves such as Grizzer, Malik, and Shadow.   Since I had a great time and since the International Wolf Center is such an important organization I decided to become a member and support this wonderful cause. If you would like more info on the International Wolf Center you can visit their website HERE!


8 comments:

Sylvia K said...

Beautiful wolves and terrific captures! Thank you for the information regarding the International Wolf Center! Have a great week!

Helen said...

Great pictures. Wondering if you visited the Black Bear center while in Ely?

amanda said...

We visited the Wolf Center 15 years ago on our honeymoon. :)
The alpha female at that time was named Mackenzie.
We have many trail cam photos on our property this summer of a wolf, we believe to be a young male.

Fun60 said...

An interesting post. There are many discussions here about reintroducing wolves back into the wild.

Spare Parts and Pics said...

An incredible animal, and kind of boggles my mind when I think about all our various dog breeds coming from this species!

carol l mckenna said...

You always have the best photos ~ I love the falcon photo and I love wolves and am familiar with the organization ~ Excellent photos ~ love them! ~ (A Creative Harbor) USA

Chris Twyman and Angela said...

wow seems a mundane comment,when these images just leave us speachless.

Carissa Winter, Web Specialist said...

The top image is of Aidan. He has Lupus and has the faded nose.