The zoo has two wolves that came here in 2020, Loki and Freya. Both are very energetic wolves that can be seen running around their exhibit. If you come to zoo on a Saturday, you will definitely hear our wolves howling with the noon whistle!
Grey wolves can come in many different colors and sizes can weigh from 40-140lbs. In the wild they can eat rabbit, beaver, squirrels, moose and deer. Wolves are a natural part of the Wisconsin ecosystem and play an important role in maintaining biological diversity in the region. The wolf population has recovered in the state. Before human settlement wolf populations in Wisconsin were estimated 3000-5000 that lived in the state. By 1900 wolves were extirpated from the southern two thirds of the state and we extinct by 1960. Humans and wolves are in perceived conflict due to depredation of livestock and game animals. Wolves do not have detrimental impact on deer populations because they primarily feed on week herd members that would likely die of natural causes.
About Wolves in Wisconsin
Before human settlement, wolf populations in Wisconsin were estimated to be 3,000-5,000 animals that lived throughout the state. By 1900, wolves were extirpated from the southern two thirds of the state and were extinct by 1960. Bounties on wolf pelts were in place from 1865-1957 in the state of Wisconsin and subsequently wolves were hunted to their extinction. Humans and wolves are in perceived conflict because of depredation on livestock and game, such as deer. However, wolves switched to predating on livestock, an easy target, after their natural food supplies were decimated by explorers, trappers, and settlers. Finally, wolves do not have a detrimental impact on deer populations because they primarily feed on weak herd members that would have likely died from natural causes.
Wolves are a natural part of the Wisconsin ecosystem and play an important role in maintaining biological diversity in the region. The wolf population has recovered in the state because of protections. In 2004 the gray wolf was removed from the state threatened species list, but remains a federally endangered species. The most recent population estimate from 2018 counted 905-944 individuals a 2.2% decrease from 2016-2017. Now, we have a second chance to figure out how we can coexist with this tremendous and beautiful species.
Read more about wolves in Wisconsin from the DNR Gray Wolf Fact Sheet
Did You Know?
Once a wolf has found a mate, they usually stay together for life.
