Wolf Canis lupus
Animals in our sanctuary
Arman (Male)
Arman was confiscated as a pup from a woman in Ukraine together with another wolf. The woman kept several wild animals illegally as pets, including a badger. When she took one of the wolf puppies to the vet, because the badger had bitten the puppy and broken its bone, the vet informed the local authorities. They confiscated the animals and took them to a shelter. Now they can enjoy a spacious enclosure together and learn to be real wolves again.
Malish (Male)
Malysh was confiscated as a pup from a woman in Ukraine together with another wolf. The woman kept several wild animals illegally as pets, including a badger. When she took one of the wolf puppies to the vet, because the badger had bitten the puppy and broken its bone, the vet informed the local authorities. They confiscated the animals and took them to a shelter. Now they can enjoy a spacious enclosure together and learn to be real wolves again.
Appearance:
The wolf has a body length of 1 to 1.5 meters and a shoulder height of approximately 73 cm. Its fur color varies greatly, ranging from white to black and all shades in between, depending on its habitat. Males typically weigh between 20 and 80 kg, while females range from 18 to 50 kg. Their thick fur provides protection against extreme cold.
Behavior:
Wolves live in close-knit social groups called packs, which have a clear hierarchy. The dominant pair, known as the alphas, are usually the only ones to reproduce. Packs typically consist of the parents and their offspring, who leave the group after about two years to establish their own territory. Wolves communicate through vocalizations such as howling, as well as body language and scent marking.
Diet:
Wolves are carnivores and hunt large ungulates such as deer, elk, and wild boar in packs. Individual wolves or smaller packs may target smaller prey, including rodents, hares, and birds. They are skilled hunters, capable of running long distances as well as ambushing prey with speed and agility.
Habitat:
Wolves inhabit a wide range of environments, from tundras and steppes to dense forests and mountainous regions across the Northern Hemisphere. They are highly adaptable as long as there is sufficient food. Wolf packs control large territories, which can range from 200 to as much as 2,000 km², depending on the availability of prey.
Reproduction:
The wolf's mating season occurs between January and March. The gestation period lasts between 62 and 75 days, after which the female gives birth to five or six pups in a den or cave. The pups are born blind and are entirely dependent on their mother. The entire pack helps raise and protect the young. After about two years, the young wolves reach sexual maturity and leave the pack to find their own territory.
Threats:
Wolves have few natural predators, except for humans and, in some areas, tigers. Human hunting remains the greatest threat to the species. Despite this pressure, the wolf is not considered endangered globally and is classified as "Not Threatened" by the IUCN.
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