Pine Grove Zoo celebrates International Wolf Day

Three of Pine Grove Zoo's newest residents had a day dedicated to them on Tuesday, Aug. 13.

The zoo celebrated International Wolf Day - a day where wolves across the world were in the spotlight. In Little Falls, Pine Grove Zoo's three gray wolves - Bryn, Lilly, and Ginny - were in the spotlight with a mid-morning presentation dedicated just to them.

Abby Weber, a zookeeper at Pine Grove Zoo, shared information about the three sisters who have occupied the zoo's wolf for a few months now.

Bryn, Lilly, and Ginny are all under a year old and were born in captivity at another zoo, Weber said. The trio came to Little Falls in June from their original zoo.

Pine Grove Zoo have had wolves in the past before Bryn, Lilly, and Ginny moved to Pine Grove. To prepare for Bryn, Lilly, and Ginny, there were modifications made to the wolf den. That included employing city workers to help in creating a new den for the animals, which was built around a culvert and features large rocks on which the wolves have been known to climb on.

There were a number of habitat needs that were considered in creating the new home for Bryn, Lilly, and Ginny. At the forefront of those needs was having enough space for three wolves, Weber said. The wolves need adequate space to be able to run open in, Weber said.

There was also a need to create shaded areas so the wolves can stay cool on those warm Minnesota summer days.

Finally, there was a need to introduce items that the young wolf pups could use in their daily play.

"That included adding things like tires and boomer balls," Weber said. The wolves' play items needed to be durable, she said.

The wolves have daily contact with zoo staff and are learning to communicate not just among the sisters, but with staff, as well.

"They use a number of different whines, growls, and grunts to communicate, she said.

As far as feeding the wolves, Bryn, Lilly, and Ginny have a menu filled with variety.

"They eat dry food and meat. They get 6 1/2 pounds of meat between the three each day," Weber said. "They also get special treats, ranging from Milk-Bone (dog treats), chicks and mice."

Then zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Labor Day. Come Sept. 3, the zoo hours will be Thursday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is a fee to enjoy the zoo.

According to the International Wolf Center in Ely, there are two widely recognized species of wolves in the world, the red and the gray - such as Pine Grove Zoo's Bryn, Lilly, and Ginny.