Discover The 6 Exclusive Zoos With Wolves

Wolves are incredible and majestic animals that are a fascinating sight to those lucky enough to see them. Unfortunately, although wolves are common in some parts of the United States, some species and subspecies of wolves are endangered or near extinction. By visiting zoos with wolves, you can contribute to the conservation efforts aimed at helping these mysterious creatures. Here, we’ll introduce you to six exclusive zoos that house these magnificent animals.

Wolves

Wolves are very social animals and are the ancestors of the domestic dogs we love today. All wolf species evolved from a common ancestor, the gray wolf, over three million years ago. These animals are found in the wild, primarily in the northern hemisphere. They typically live in packs consisting of an alpha male and female, their offspring, and other members. Unfortunately, these highly intelligent animals are misunderstood by many due to their intense features and chilling howl.

Fun fact: Wolves can run at speeds of up to 38 miles per hour and have the stamina to run long distances in search of food. They also have an incredible sense of smell, which helps them find prey from miles away.

1. Seneca Park Zoo

Seneca Park Zoo is located in Rochester, New York. In addition to two stunning gray wolves, it is home to many other animals, including the Canada lynx and polar bear.

Seneca Park is a 20-acre zoo that houses over 90 species. This zoo is open all year long but is closed on some public holidays. It opens from 10 am to 4 pm every day. You can book your ticket online and even become a member! The tickets are extremely affordable, making the investment stress-free. 

Although Seneca Park Zoo does not have conservation programs specific to the gray wolf, it does participate in wolf-friendly projects. The zoo’s wolf-related conservation efforts include providing animal welfare, research, and education.

The best time to visit Seneca Park Zoo is between November and April. Because this period is the off-season, you will experience minimal crowds. Additionally, the admission price is cheaper during this time.

2. Toledo Zoo

The Toledo Zoo is located in Toledo, Ohio, and is home to gray wolves and over 10,000 other animals from 700 species. Some of the popular exhibits include the African Savanna, which features zebras, cheetahs, ostriches, and giraffes, and the Arctic Encounter, which showcases polar bears, seals and sea lions. Lastly, the Great Ape Exhibit houses Bornean Orangutans, and Western Lowland Gorillas!

In addition to its diverse animal collection, the Toledo Zoo offers its visitors educational programs, special events, and hands-on experiences. The zoo’s mission is to inspire others to join in conserving the natural world. It is committed to providing excellent care for its animals and creating a fun and educational experience for its visitors. The Toledo Zoo sends employees and volunteers worldwide to research animal welfare, rehabilitate animals, and join conservation programs that improve the lives of animals.

The ideal time to visit Toledo Zoo is probably in the spring and early summer when the weather is a bit cooler and the animals are much more active. It is also a good idea to check their website to find out about upcoming events.

3. Roger Williams Park Zoo

Roger Williams Park Zoo is in Providence, Rhode Island. This zoo contains more than 150 animals from all around the world. With 40 acres to explore, you will stay busy for hours. The zoo is open Thursday through Monday from 10 am to 4 pm. All non-members must purchase timed ticket online, so be sure to plan ahead!

This zoo houses three beautiful red wolves – a female, a male, and their pup. Although there are only around 20 red wolves in the wild, there are over 200 red wolves in captive breeding programs across the USA. The pup is proof that Roger Williams Park Zoo is proactive with its conservation efforts for the red wolves!

The best time to visit Roger Williams Park Zoo to avoid crowds is in January and February. Not only will there be fewer people to contend with, but the admission is half-price! If you can avoid peak holiday periods and weekends, you will most likely enjoy your time more. 

4. North Carolina Zoo

North Carolina Zoo is located in Asheboro, North Carolina. With an area of around 500 acres, it houses 1,800 animals across more than 250 species. This zoo has everything you could want, including the highly endangered red wolf. The zoo is open every day except for Thanksgiving and Christmas and is open from 9 am to 4 or 5 pm, depending on the season.

North Carolina Zoo plays a vital role in the conservation of the red wolf. The many efforts to save the species from extinction are reflected in the successful breeding programs in the zoo. The zoo has been a part of the American Red Wolf Recovery Program since 1994 and has since successfully bred 48 wolves!

The best time to visit North Carolina Zoo may be in the fall – between September and October. To beat the crowds, try to arrive right when they open. As a bonus, the animals are more active early in the day.

5. San Francisco Zoo

San Francisco Zoo is located in, you guessed it, San Francisco, California. It houses over 2,000 animals over 100 acres of land. It is open every day of the year and is home to many exotic, endangered, and rescued animals. The gates open at 10 am and close at 5 pm – you can purchase tickets online or at the ticket window.

San Francisco Zoo is home to the Mexican gray wolf, one of the smallest and rarest gray wolf subspecies. Although the zoo does not specifically direct its conservation efforts to wolves, the zoo does accept donations that are used to support the animal! These donations help connect people to wildlife and inspire people to care for nature.

The best time to visit San Francisco Zoo to avoid crowds is generally any season except summer, when the zoo experiences a peak of visitors. It is also better to avoid weekends and visit as soon as it opens to get the best experience.

6. ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park

ZooAmerica, located in Hershey, Pennsylvania, cares for a pack of three gray wolves. On hot summer days, the wolves can be well camouflaged while sunbathing; you may think they are rocks! So, keep your eyes peeled. In addition to the wolves, there are over 200 animals housed in the 11-acre park, all of which are North American natives. Some residents include the Canada lynx and the mountain lion.

ZooAmerica Wildlife Park is dedicated to the conservation of its species, wildlife, natural resources, and habitats and has set up and run many different programs to help achieve these goals.

The best season to visit the ZooAmerica wildlife park is spring and summer if you want to see newborn animals. And who doesn’t want to see newborn animals? Visiting during winter can also be interesting if you want to see animals in hibernation. To avoid crowds, try to steer clear of holidays and weekends. The zoo is open every day between 10 am and 4:30 pm – arrive early to see the animals more active! 

Summary of 6 Exclusive Zoos With Wolves

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/gnagel