Out & About January 2017

The wolves There are currently 10 wolves at the UKWCT. In 2006 the trust took on three Canadian wolves, Mosi, Mai and Mika, who were all born at Dartmoor Wildlife Park and abandoned by their mother not long after they were born. They arrived in Beenham at just six days old, but sadly Mika died shortly afterwards. Torak arrived a few days later from the Anglian Wolf Society and is related to some of the trust’s earlier wolves through his father and to Mosi and Mai through his grandfather. In 2010, as can happen in the wild, there was a dominance fight between sisters Mosi and Mai and they were split up. Torak and Mosi continue to live as a pair in one enclosure while Mai now lives with Motomo. He was brought to the trust that year to keep Mai company and the pair had a litter of cubs. Born on May, 2011, Nuka, Tala and Tundra have become the main ambassadors of the UKWCT, having been hand-reared there since birth. The Beenham Pack live together in another enclosure. The fourth and final enclosure houses the Arctic Pack – Massak, Pukak and Sikko. The three wolves were born in captivity at Parc Safari, near Quebec, The UK Wolf Conservation Trust (UKWCT)

Pictures: top, Tala, Francesca MacIlroy; middle, Nuka and Mai, Mike Collins; bottom, Massak and Pukaka, Calum O’Flaherty

There are a number of ways to get involved with the UKWolf Conservation Trust. You can become a Walking Member, a Junior Member or even Adopt a Wolf. The trust is open to the public every Wednesday, from 11am until 4pm, with feeding time at 2pm. Tickets are available on the gate at a cost of £8 for adults and £5 for children up to the age of 12 years – under-3s are free. Special events take place throughout the year, include the exciting Howl Nights. These take place one Friday each month Get involved Canada, amid a fierce snowstorm and were virtually hypothermic when they were rescued. Their names are all reflective of the treacherous conditions they were born in. The trust gave them a home in May 2011, when they became the first Arctic wolves in the UK.

– but not on a full moon. Starting at 7pm, you will learn why wolves howl, as well as hearing them in spine-tingling action. Next year’s Howl Nights are on January 13, February 10, March 24, April 7, May 12, June 2, September 8 and October 6. On Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2017 – which coincides with the wolf breeding season – children will be given the opportunity to make heart-shaped treats for the wolves, before hiding them in the

enclosure (the wolves are taken out before any children are let in). They can then watch the wolves find and eat the treats. Young enthusiasts will also enjoy the Easter Eggstravaganza, on Tuesday, April 11, 2017. This time the treats will be hidden inside colourful eggs. Details on all of these events are available on the trust’s website: www.ukwct.org.uk

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