Overview of Wolf Park    Wolf Park is a nonprofit education and research facility which was established in 1972 by Dr. Erich Klinghammer. Along with research and seminars on wolf behavior, particularly reproductive and inter-pack social behavior, Wolf Park provides interpretive programs to school groups throughout the year by prearrangement. We are also open to the general public from May through November and Saturday evening for Howl Nights. The park is home to several packs of gray wolves, plus foxes and bison. We are incorporated under the North American Wildlife Park Foundation, Inc. which is located in the small town of Battle Ground, Indiana. E-Mail Wolf Park: wolfpark@wolfpark.org What to do at Wolf Park

   SPECIAL UPDATES!   

• Thank you Tigerwolf!    Wolf Park's web site got its start back in 1995 during the early years of the Internet thanks to the efforts of Kim, a Purdue Student and a volunteer here at the Park. She knew of a webmaster and Internet provider who was willing to post some simple information about the Park on his private machine -- the Tigerden Internet Service. This steadily grew over the years into what we have now, a very large site with HUGE bandwidth needs. We simply outgrew the bandwidth abilities of this private server and on September 22, 2004, we switched to a commercial Internet provider. However, we could not have done all we did without George's help so once again, Thank You!
• John Davis, Wolf Park's Education Coordinator, has made a special web site for kids! Check out Wolf Park Kids for details. Click HERE for Junior Volunteer meeting dates, Day Camp and Over Night Program info.
• Orca, former alpha male, continues to improve and now has his own web site domain! Check out www.orcabork.com for details.
• Wolf Park now has an On-Line giftshop!
• Monty Sloan Wolf Photography for sale on www.wolfphotography.com
• Wolf Park's Calendar of Events.Check out special events for the upcomming year!

   Park operating schedule, entrance fee and how to get to Wolf Park   

We are open May 1 to December 1 1-5 every day except Mondays. We are also open Saturday evenings at 7:30 for Howl Night programs throughout the year and Friday night at 7:30 May through November 30. As of June 1, 2005, Admissions are: $7.00 adults (14 years and older), $8.00 on Sunday. Kids 6-13 are $5.00, $6.00 on Sundays. Members and kids 5 and under FREE! Special arrangements can also be made in advance for School tours during the mornings including Monday for a minimum of $75.00 by calling (765) 567-2265 during regular business hours M-F or by e-mail. For Private Howl Night Programs, Private Wolf Bison Demonstrations and other groups and tours and programs, please contact the Wolf Park for prices.
 
To reach Wolf Park, take I65 to exit 178 which is State Route 43. Go north about 1 mile on SR43 to SR225. At this point there will be a sign directing you toward Wolf Park. Turn right on SR225 and when you reach the RR tracks in the small town of Battle Ground, just follow the tracks North about 1 1/3 miles until you reach our sign. The park is about 1/4 mile along a gravel road See our online GIF map for graphical directions to the park or check out our directions page for more information.

   Lectures, tours, and various special demonstrations   

• Special Programs!
• Daily Events: May 1 through December 1, Tuesday - Sunday 1-5pm -- Visitors can see wolves at close range living in a large 6.75 acre naturalistic enclosure and receive a lecture about wolves in general as well as specific information gathered at Wolf Park over the past 25 years. Daytime tours of the facilities include a walking tour to our "wolf retirement" section where animals who can no longer live in the main pack, as well as some wolves from zoos who needed homes now live. Wolf Park is also home to foxes and a small herd of bison which are often included in the presentations. Themes and programs may vary and not all animals may be available for viewing, however the wolves are always happy to oblige visitors with their presence.
• Howl Night -- Year-round every Saturday night, and every Friday night as well from May through November (weather permitting) -- a lecture on wolf communication, the opportunity to see some of the staff enter the enclosure and interact with the wolves of our main pack, and the chance to howl with the wolves.
• Wolf-Bison Demonstrations -- This one-of-a-kind demonstration is held each Sunday afternoon during open season, May-November (weather permitting) . Visitors have the opportunity to watch what happens when predator meets prey. Bison are the most formidable prey wolves will meet in the wild and healthy bison, like those at the park, have nothing to fear. Visitors will be able to see how wolves test their prey for weakness and how the bison defend themselves and their calves by chasing the wolves away. Although no animals are ever injured, you will be given a unique insight in how wolves hunt and how difficult it is to be a predator in the wild. The presentation begins at 1pm and is followed by the demonstration itself at 2pm.
• Saturday & Sunday afternoons -- In addition to the usual lectures and tours, staff also do handling demonstrations inside the main wolf enclosure so show how socialized wolves can more humanely be handled and given an enriched life in captivity.

   Wolf Park Educational Programs   

• School Tour Programs -- Actually open to any group, but mostly given to school students ranging from K-12 and collage students, these programs are usually held in the mornings when we are closed to the general public or are arranged before our general open season. The program, including a visit to the giftshop, lasts about two hours, but can be shortened to one hour if requested. The program focuses on wolves, but discussions of bison and foxes as well as environmental issues in general are covered. There is also the opportunity to visit the giftshop for groups who are interested.
• Off Property Programs -- John Davis, our Educational Director is now giving wolf slide shows and interpretative programs in the general area of Lafayette, Indiana.
• Internships -- Each year Wolf Park accepts a small number of interns to help with raising animals, maintaining the facilities, giving tours, etc. They pay a dormitory fee and are responsible for providing their own food. There is no other fee, as they work for the opportunity to spend time here learning about the wolves. This program requires dedication and hard work, since the Park is open daily. Most interns who are students also receive academic credit from their home institutions for time spent at Wolf Park. A minimum stay of three months is required. Follow the link above for more information.
• Ethology Practicum -- This program is open to anyone (18 and older) with an interest in animal behavior. It is a self study program which involves observation, reading, and work in the Park. Generally lasting for four weeks, the experience costs $530.00 which includes the dormitory fees. We provide living space and kitchen facilities, and they are expected to provide their own food. While practicum people are not required to work at the Park, they do many of the same things the interns do just for the fun of it. Please write or call for more information.

   Wolf Park Seminars   

• One Five Day Wolf Behavior Seminar and Several Three Day Seminars covering a number of topics are held throughout the year. -- These seminars are based on the behavior research carried out at Wolf Park since 1972. They consist of lectures, discussions, demonstrations, films, video and slide presentations, extensive observations of wolf behavior and some hands-on experience with wolves in a pack situation and, when possible, with pups. Follow the link above for more information.
• Special One Day Photo Seminars! Wolf Park offers Photography Seminars where participants will actually be allowed to enter the wolf pen to photograph the pack.

   Wolf Park Research   

Our research focuses on social behavior, reproductive behavior, some predator-prey interaction studies, and work in developing handling techniques for human-wolf interaction. By studying wolves under semi-natural conditions in captivity, information can be obtained that cannot otherwise be collected in wild studies. Wild wolves cannot be observed around the clock year-in and year-out. Furthermore, wild wolves, with very few exceptions up in the high arctic, cannot be observed very closely. In many cases, it is difficult, even impossible, to tell individuals apart.

   Wolf Park residents   

Wolf Park is home to many wolves living in multiple packs. Our main pack usually has 5-7 wolves, while others live in smaller groupings in our 'retirement area.' Some years we have pups born, and they are integrated into the main pack in August.
 
Check our Family Photo Album for descriptions and photos of the wolves, coyotes and foxes.

   Adopt-A-Wolf Sponsorship Program

The Adopt-A-Wolf Program enables wolf lovers to make more substantial contributions to the maintenance of our wolves. They can do so by donating $175.00/year to support a wolf. More than one person or group will support a particular wolf, and the wolf can be of the sponsor's choice or our recommendation, whichever you prefer. Sponsors receive quarterly updates of the wolf's activities and important events in its life. The sponsor also receives photos and some shed wool from their wolf during the spring shedding season. When sponsors visit the Park, with advance notice, (you really do need to call and make an appointment) we can also arrange for them to go inside the enclosures with their wolf, or with a proxy animal if their wolf should be reticent to approach them.
 
We now offer an optional photography session where for a fee, Monty Sloan will photograph you with your wolf (wolf willing of course). We do reserve the right to limit interaction with wolves due to safety factors of both wolves and humans, but if your wolf can not be visited, we almost always can offer an eager proxy to fill in. We offer this opportunity to maintain wolves which the public (as a sponsor) can get to know up-close and personally. Click here.

   Wolf Park Memberships   

There are various levels of Wolf Park Memberships available, all of which include our newsletter, Wolf Park News, and free admission to the Park. Follow the link above for more information and a membership registration form.

   Other Information   

• See Wolf Park from a different perspective. An aerial photo of the entire property.
• Wolf Timbers - A small wolf facility in Ohio with wolves from Wolf Park
• Animal Ark - They have a couple Wolf Park wolves too!
• Wolf Song of Alaska - A great site from our Alaskan friends.
• Wolf Hybrids - Wolf Park's position on wolves and wolf-dog hybrids kept as pets.
• Wolf FAQ - Frequently asked questions about wolves.
• Wolf Park's Link Resource Page!