Homegrown: Wolf Trip

The information below is for the Buchanan – Linn County Conservation Bus trip to the International Wolf Center in September.  REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS JULY 27. 

  For additional information contact: Gail Barels – Linn County Conservation Naturalist- Gail.Barels@linncounty.org; 319-892-6488

Sondra Cabell – Buchanan County Naturalist – fontanapark@iowatelecom.net; 319-636-2617

The following is by Gail Barels:

Wolves have always fascinated me. Is it because they are at the top of the food chain? Or am I intrigued because they are elusive and excellent hunters. Or maybe it is because their social organization is very much like an extended family with the “entire village” raising the young.

Whatever the reason, I have read books, scientific journal articles and pretty much anything else I could get my hands about this top predator. Lately, the internet has made my search for more information easier. One of my main sources for information and recent research is the International Wolf Center in Ely, MN. Their excellent web site brings web cams of live wolves, wolf research information from all over the world and also education program ideas to my computer screen.

This is one reason why Linn and Buchanan County Conservation Boards are again offering a Discover Wolves Bus Tour September 28 – October 1 this fall (registration deadline: July 27). We will visit the International Wolf Center and view the captive pack from the interpretive center. I am always fascinated when we attend the wolf feeding on our first night there. Observing the pack behavior at feeding time is fascinating. Even more exciting is going into the Superior National Forest after nightfall and howling to the wolves in hopes that they will return howls to us. My most jealous moment at the center: one of the captive wolves jumped up on a rock and was nose to nose through the glass with one of the kids on our trip. I don't think he will ever forget that moment. I won't.

This year there is an added attraction for me. Wolf pups. The Center is introducing two young pups to the adult wolves in their enclosure. During our fall trip, the pups will already be in the enclosure with the adults who will have adopted them and already be schooling them in wolf pack behavior.

Earlier this summer a friend and I stopped at the Wolf Center for a couple of Pup 101 programs. The two young pups, Boltz the male was 90 days old and Luna the female was 82 days old, and they were brought into the center so they could adjust to the presence of people and center visitors could meet them. Wolf Center staff explained their training and behavior. Luna had already had leg surgery due to a broken bone brought on by low calcium in her bones at birth.

This was my first experience of observing wolf pups. Yes, they behave a lot like dog puppies with a few exceptions. If you would like to see these pups at 6.5 month-old, please join us on our bus tour.

The bus tour is timed to also see the fall colors of Northern Minnesota. We will travel along the north shore of Lake Superior and through the Superior National Forest. On our way north we will stop at the Minnesota History Center in St Paul to view the exhibit on Minnesota's Greatest Generation: the Depression, the War, the Boom. We will also tour the Great Lakes Aquarium and spend the night in Duluth, MN. If we hit the fall season just right, the tree colors at Gooseberry Falls State Park will be gorgeous. We will then spend two nights in Ely, MN while participating in programs at the International Wolf Center and the North American Bear Center.

This bus tour has always been a favorite for those who take part in the various bus tours our two counties sponsor. Families are welcome, parents you will need to determine if your children can undertake the 12 hour trip each direction. To register, please see our website to download the trip brochure (linncountyparks.com) or call Gail at 892-6485. The registration deadline is July 27 so please don't wait or you will miss the trip of a lifetime.  Call for a brochure, or get it off the web at:

http://www.buchanancountyparks.com/attachments/File/2012_Discover_Wolves_Bus_Tour.pdf