EASTER SPECIAL- WOLF CONSERVATION CENTER, NEW YORK
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| Rosa's family. Photo: courtesy of the WCC. |
Easter Special W o l f C o n s e r v a t i o n C e n t e r New York
Start this interview with some "howling" tune: "Singing" wolves Alawa and Nikai at WCC
Our first years at Institut Bernat Metge interviewed the Wolf Conservation Center, New York, USA, to learn about their conservation program, as wolves are an endangered species. Our students also asked questions about a couple of wolves, R o s a and A l l e n o, which had a large family: nine pups, six males and three females that have been living at the Center.
How many wolves are killed by hunters every year?
This question is quite complex; states and countries that have regulated wolf hunting seasons record the number of wolves killed by hunters and trappers but countless wolves are poached every year. These illegal killings often are not included in state or country totals, so the number of reported wolf kills is actually much higher. A rough calculation of legal wolf kills in Alaska, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho (the only US states that allowed wolf hunting prior to 2021) resulted in approximately 1,832 wolves killed by hunters. The number does not include the hundreds of wolves killed annually by federal or state agencies to benefit the livestock industry, nor does it include the unknown numbers of wolves poached.
How many weeks after conception is an embryo inseminated?
Wolves have a gestation period of approximately 63 days. Breeding pairs mate in late winter and females give birth in the spring.
How many wolves can the Center take care of?
The WCC currently has 39 wolves that live onsite – 3 ambassador gray wolves, 21 endangered Mexican gray wolves, and 15 critically endangered red wolves. The largest population we’ve ever had was over 50 wolves.
When are the pups fertile?
A wolf has reached adult size by about one year of age and will able to reproduce during their second breeding season. In most instances though, they will not breed that early as only the dominant male and female typically have breeding rights within a pack; it is unlikely a wolf would be in that position at such a young age.
How old was Rosa when she met Alleno?
Rosa was introduced to Alleno in 2017 when she was 9 years old.
Where were they from? Were they rescued?
Most of the wolves that currently live at the Wolf Conservation Center were either born here or came to live here as part of Species Survival Programs (SSPs). Any facility that provides a home to red wolves or Mexican gray wolves must be a participant in these recovery programs, so wolves can be moved at any time amongst those facilities. Our three ambassador wolves were born in captivity and came to live at the WCC when they were a few weeks old. They now serve as representatives for wild wolves.
Does the pups diet vary a lot from the one a human child has?
In many ways, they’re quite similar! When wolf pups and human children are newborn, they survive on their parents’ milk (or milk formula for some human children). As wolf pups get older they will begin to wean, which is the start of a gradual introduction of meat into their diets while still consuming their mother’s milk. For human children, the weaning process may involve an introduction to different pureed foods and eventually solids. Once weaned, wolves will primarily consume meat, while humans will consume a wide variety of food types.
Is it legal to own a wolf in the United States? Which are the conditions an owner should fulfill?
It is not legal in the U.S. to own a wolf as a pet. Some states allow the ownership of wolf-dog hybrids with proper permitting, but legality and requirements vary from state to state. The Wolf Conservation Center does not condone the keeping of wolves or wolf-hybrids as pets.
Do wolves obey humans if they have been raised by them?
Though wolves that are raised by humans may be more tolerant of their presence, the process of socialization does not negate the fact that they are wild animals and ultimately might behave as such.
What kind of exercise do wolves do in the Wolf Conservation Center?
Wolves maintain their flexibility through daily stretching and roaming around their spacious enclosures; following scents, finding sleeping spots in the sun, or simply taking a walk. Our wolves reside with their families, which provides numerous playmates for games of tag and play wrestling that keep them active.
Where do you release the wolves that you have raised? How old are they on average?
Wolves in the SSP program are released back into areas of their native original home ranges - Red wolves are only released into the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge in North Carolina while Mexican gray wolves are released into Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of Mexico. Four wolves from the WCC have been released into the wild; their ages ranged from a few weeks to 3 years, 5 years, and 7 years old. More information about these wolves can be found here: https://nywolf.org/call-of-the-wild-wolf-conservation-center-wolves-released-to-the-wild/
Due to the Covid 19 situation, what can a volunteer do?
Unfortunately, much of our onsite volunteering is on pause during the Covid-19 pandemic. A select few of our volunteers assist with animal care and wolf food transportation while the rest of our team helps immensely with the spread of advocacy and correct information regarding wolves via social media.
Thank you Wolf Conservation Center for your contribution!
