NJ Wolf Sanctuary Allows Visitors
To View Endangered Animals
Nestled in the hills of Warren County NJ, there is a peaceful preserve where visitors can get a glimpse of incredibly beautiful creatures the likes of which have not roamed wild in New Jersey for over a century. The Lakota Wolf Preserve is home to nearly two dozen wolves who live in four distinct packs of Timber, Tundra, British Columbian, and Arctic wolves (as well as three foxes, two bobcats and an lynx) and conducts unique tours of the facility that allow visitors to learn about the behavior of wolves. Our family was thrilled to be able to visit the preserve last summer and it was amazing.
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A tour of the Lakota Wolf Preserve begins with a half mile hike or shuttle bus ride from the parking area up to the preserve (it was really HOT the day we visited, so we opted to ride). Once you arrive in the observation area of the preserve, you’ll be surrounded by four packs of wolves who live in spacious, well-secured compounds in a natural habitat.
Lakota Wolf Preserve tours are conducted by owners Jim Stein and Becky Mace, who care for all the animals – a 24/7/365 task. As you learn of the labor involved in providing for the needs of the Lakota wolves and the depth of knowledge that Jim and Becky possess about them, it becomes obvious just how much they care for these beautiful creatures. During the 90 minute tour, Jim and Becky take time to answer visitors’ questions and teach them all about the social behavior of wolves, their eating habits (the Lakota wolves eat 30,000 pounds of meat a year!), their interaction with man, and many other interesting facts (wolves can run 35 miles per hour for up to 12 miles!).
It’s an amazing experience to be able to see the wolves play together and hear them howl.
Since we last visited, Lakota has welcomed a young fox and lynx and bobcat kittens, Sierra and Logan. Sierra and Logan join an older bobcat, Bobby. We can’t wait to go back and visit the new arrivals!
Lakota Wolf Preserve is located at 89 Mount Pleasant Road in Columbia NJ. Wolf Watch Tours at Lakota Wolf Preserve are scheduled events and take place at 10:30am and 4:00pm daily except for Mondays (call ahead in winter to be sure there’s not a weather closing). There are no “drop in” tours. The cost of a Wolf Watch Tour is $15 for adults and $7 for kids up to 11 years old (cash or check only). Appointments are required for weekday tours; no appointments are necessary for weekend tours. Learn more about Lakota Wolf Preserve here or call (908) 496-9244.
Featured Photo Credit: RickyNJ via Flickr
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