A New Wolf Pack Arrives a the Minnesota Zoo

There’s a new wolf pack in town, and they’re already making a big impression! While many of us have been hunkering down for winter, four furry new faces have been having a howling good time in their new home on the Zoo’s Minnesota Trail.

Last year, the Zoo received word that four 16-week-old wolf pups were in urgent need of a new home. Now 9 months old, all four wolves — Flint, Fenrir, Lumi, and Hati — are flourishing as they continue to grow, explore their habitat, and connect with Zoo-goers.

“They are very interested in interacting with guests at the habitat windows,” says Zookeeper Jayme, “especially small children. Fenrir and Hati are often the first to approach the glass, eager to investigate and play, while Lumi and Flint tend to hang out just behind their siblings.”

Wolves are specially adapted to cold weather, and snowy days have quickly become a favorite for the group. When flakes begin to fall, guests can spot the pack engaging in natural behaviors like digging, rolling, and wrestling in the snow. Their vocal skills are also developing, and while they’re still learning how to howl, their nearby coyote neighbors are happy to join in their song, however imperfect it may be.

Behind the scenes, the wolves are learning important skills that will help support their long-term care. A new door in their holding area allows staff to train them to voluntarily enter a crate, which greatly reduces stress for necessary medical exams. “They are doing great with their crate training. Fenrir was even successfully crated to go to a specialist for a tooth exam,” says Zookeeper Jayme.

From medical exams and training to customized diets and enrichment, providing care for animals like wolves is time consuming — and costly. Thanks to generous donor support, the Zoo can provide the pack, and all the Zoo’s animals, with the extraordinary daily care they deserve.