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The new arrivals were brought in to expand the size of the Zoo’s wolf pack as its females get older. Because wolves are pack animals with a complex social structure, introductions were a carefully managed process. By slowly integrating the juveniles into the pack, Zoo staff was able to offer the juveniles the security they need without upsetting the hierarchy the adults had already established.
All three wolves are brothers from the same litter, and they can be distinguished from the females by their heavier build and slightly darker color (their coats have hints of reddish-brown, while the two adults are very light grey).
Through online donations at toledozoo.org/wolf, along with telephone and in-person donations, the Zoo invites the public to donate toward the wolves’ care and wild wolf conservation while helping to vote on their names. Each $5 donation allows the donor to vote for three names (one for each wolf) from the Zoo’s list; multiple donations are allowed. The list of names is:
_Loki (Low-key)– mischievous shape-shifting god of Norse mythology;
_Odin (Oh-din) – mythological Norse god known for wisdom, wit and war;
_Hopi (Hope-ee)– Native American tribe name associated with peace, reverence and respect;
_Kanza (Kahn-zeh)– Native American tribe name associated with the south wind and water;
_Tundra (Tun-dreh) – from the Russian or Finnish word for a cold, treeless plain; &
_Lobo (Low-boh) – from the Spanish word for wolf
Although wolves have endured a fierce reputation in human history and fairy tales, in reality they are shy, intelligent animals that mate for life and live in packs, caring for the pups together. These athletes can run as fast as 35 miles per hour and are well adapted to cold climates, with a keen sense of smell, double layers of fur and snowshoe-like paws.
The new wolf pack is scheduled to be on exhibit daily ‘til 4 p.m., though the animals’ well-being or weather changes may require briefly moving them off exhibit.
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