Wolf Park is a nonprofit education and
research facility established in 1972 by
Dr. Erich Klinghammer. This wonderful
park is located only two miles North of
a tiny town called Battle Ground, Indiana,
just twelve miles North of Lafayette,
Indiana. Wolf Park is home to captive,
socialized gray wolves, red foxes,
coyote, and bison. These animals serve
as ambassadors, helping Wolf Park to
educate people about wolves and their
place in the environment. The park
provides interpretive programs to
school groups throughout the year and
is open to the public May – November.
There are also featured tours, handling demonstrations, seminars, guided photography sessions, Howl Nights, an adopt-a-wolf program and the unique wolf-bison demonstration. The wolf-bison demonstration is one-of-a-kind that teaches how wolves test their prey and how the bison defend themselves and their calves by chasing the wolves away. No animal is ever injured in this demonstration. Howl Night is another evening of its own. This gives the visitors a chance to actually howl with the wolves.
Wolf Park is home to many wolves living in multiple packs. The main pack usually has five to seven wolves, while others live in smaller groupings in the retirement area. Some years pups are born, and are integrated into the main pack in August.
The Adopt-A-Wolf Program enables wolf lovers to make more substantial contributions for the maintenance of the wolves. More than one person or group will support a particular wolf, and the wolf can be of the sponsor’s choice. Sponsors receive quarterly updates of the wolf’s activities and important events in its life. The sponsor also receives photos and some shed wool from their wolf during the spring shedding season. When sponsors visit the Park, with advance notice, arrangements can be made for them to go inside the enclosures with their wolf, or with a proxy animal if their wolf should be reticent to approach them.
Before sponsors visit their wolf, they can go through a training program to
learn what NOT TO DO around their adopted wolf. One must be at least
eighteen years old, able bodied, dressed properly and willing and able to
follow instructions to meet a wolf. Wolf Park’s primary concern is safety, for
both visitors and wolves. First-time sponsors will be shown a series of
education materials—including video and a slide show describing
wolf/human interactions, and have a one-on-one question-and-answer
session with a staff member before their first visit with a wolf.
Perry Jordan, lead singer and guitarist of the band Heartsfield, became a
wolf sponsor for the first time this year. His wolf, Renke, pictured above, is
one of many animals available for adoption in the program. Perry was very
informative on educating me on this special cause. “The course teaches
you more about the wolf and their environment.” Perry explains, “The people who work at the park are wonderful. They know every character trait about each individual animal living there. When visiting my adopted wolf, they made me tuck my hair beneath my cap and empty my pockets. The wolves like to pick pockets! The overall experience was very educational. It is inspiring to become face to face and witness the beauty and wisdom of such a fascinating creature of nature.”
Help support wolves by becoming a Wolf Sponsor. Through personal updates and extensive biographies, wolf sponsors will get to know “their” wolf on a personal level. The sponsorship program provides a unique opportunity to come to know one of the complex social animals as individuals and to learn more about their lives. The personal bond between a live wolf and his/her sponsors forms a bridge of concern for wolves in the wild.
On behalf of the wolves in the wild and in captivity, Wolf Park appreciates the continued support through their Adopt-A-Wolf program. For a list of adoptable wolves and other animals at Wolf Park check out their Family Photo Album page on their web site at www.wolfpark.org. Adopt-A-Wolf members receive the benefits of free admission to the park for one year for their family and receive their newsletter Wolf Park News as it is published, along with their updates and photos.
For more information on Wolf Park, go to: www.wolfpark.org
Article Source: www.wolfpark.org
ADOPT-A-WOLF
PROGRAM
New Wolf Sponsor Perry Jordan of Heartsfield receives a
wolf smooch while visiting his adopted wolf, Renke.
