SEATTLE — A new pack of Mexican gray wolves has arrived at Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo, offering visitors a chance to see these critically endangered animals in the Living Northwest Trail.
The four 6-year-old male wolves, all brothers, were born at the California Wolf Center and recently made their journey to Seattle.
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Pat Owen, Animal Care Manager at the zoo, noted that the wolves are adjusting to their new environment and may initially be shy. “We kindly ask our guests to avoid howling at the wolves as it can cause stress for the animals,” Owen said.
The Mexican gray wolf, a subspecies of the gray wolf, is part of a conservation effort through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ SAFE program, which aims to protect species from extinction.
These wolves are known for their distinctive coats of buff, gray, rust, and black, often with unique facial patterns.
“We are thrilled to bring wolves back to the Living Northwest Trail for guests to enjoy and learn from,” Owen said. As conservation ambassadors, the wolves will help highlight the challenges and opportunities for species recovery. “It’s an incredible opportunity for people of all ages to connect with wolves at the zoo and learn about this remarkable species,” Owen added.
The Mexican gray wolf is the rarest and smallest subspecies of gray wolf in North America, with an estimated 286 living in the wild in Arizona and New Mexico.
Woodland Park Zoo supports wolf recovery efforts in Washington state, advocating for nonlethal means of managing wolf-livestock conflict and science-based conservation decisions.