On December 1, I spent 5 hours in a wolf pack enclosure. It was an unusually warm and sunny day for the beginning of December in the Midwest. The wolves were nearly done growing their winter coats, so the almost 70 degree weather made them a little sluggish, but still active enough to get great photos of.
Saturday we made another visit to Wolf Park for their annual Pumpkin Party. The wolves got pumpkins filled with Spam and other delicious treats.
The bison got treats, too, and we got to view them closer than we have before. THEY HAVE HUGE FACES THAT I WANT TO TOUCH, and they are terrifyingly beautiful.
More importantly, our visit also included time with our new friend Kelly and her two fascinating and super snuggly kids, Ruby & Henry. Within seconds of meeting Henry, I found him with his head against my arm, and in minutes, after his mom asked him to sit, he was on my lap. Ruby held my husband’s hand nearly the entire time we were at the park.
We made followed up our first journey to Wolf Park on a chilly, rainy Friday morning. We first met with our adopted wolf, Tristan, and his daughter/roommate, Ayla. Ayla was far more interested in interacting with us, stepping up onto a wooden platform, giving us paw and kisses on our face. She’d proudly grab a dangling piece of deer, parade it around and take a few bites.
We visited Chetan last; he tends to love being touched and somewhat snuggled. He is 15-years old, his bladder is a little leaky, and he walks a little clumsily, but he holds a very special place in my heart. He is wild, but tame, and cautiously reminds me of our own little 10 lb. wolf.
For Valentine’s Day this year, my husband got us a meet and greet with wolves. We trekked out to Wolf Park in Battle Ground, Indiana, for an incredible morning with incredibly misunderstood animals. Wolves are one of the top predators who, due to loss of land, have turned to hunting livestock and coming uncomfortably close to human habitat. At one point, grey wolves were hunted so severely that they earned a spot on the endangered species list.
After being briefed on wolf etiquette and safety precautions our guide, Pat, took us for a tour around the park to see not only wolves, but 2 coyotes, 2 foxes, and 10 bison. In the spring, Wolf Park welcomed 6 new pups, born to wolfmom Dharma. We spent a great deal of time watching the now 15 week old pups have playtime with their grandma, Erin.
We first visited with Tristan, a male, and Ayla, a female. Both wolves greeted us at the airlock of the enclosure and followed us to a wooden stoop, where we sat as guests in their home. After a few minutes, Ayla approached us. I held out my hands so she could access whether or not I was worthy to touch her, and after shoving her wet nose into my hands I felt it was ok to give her a little scratch under her muzzle. I brought my face close to hers and she gave me several eager kisses on my cheeks and nose.
Next we visited with Chetan, at 17-year old male with ash white fur and an exceptionally gentle demeanor. He came out from his den, and we crouched down so he could take us in. He was very fond of my husband, spending lots of time getting rubs and scratches, and giving him tons of kisses on his face. He greeted me with kisses too, and let me scratch his side and underneath his muzzle. He was definitely my favorite.
The meet and greet included adoptions; we chose Tristan and Chetan. I hope that sooner than later we can return to visit our new furry friends.
tinyseabeast photography 