The six month old male, Cody, and the five month old female, Shalimar, will soon make their final transition into their permanent habitat before the holidays arrive in the mountains.

Although commonly called gray wolf by name, Cody is almost black, and Shalimar is cream color. The gray wolf can also be white, black or any combination of mottled colors. Asheville’s pups were born in Montana at a wildlife facility and came to live at the Nature Center since the gray wolf population at the center has decreased to one elderly wolf as its wolf mates have grown old and deceased.

Once full grown, Cody will weigh out at about 90 pounds, while Shalimar will reach up to 70 pounds and can expect to achieve an average lifespan of 16 years. The gray wolf is native to western North Carolina although they were wiped out in the late 1800s. At one time the gray wolf ranged throughout the northern hemisphere but is now restricted to Canada, Alaska, Montana, Wisconsin, Michigan and North and South Dakota. The gray wolf is also known by the common names of timber wolf and tundra wolf.

The Nature Center’s mission is to educate the public not only about the flora and fauna currently found in Western North Carolina, but also those formerly found in the area but are no longer present. Once people learn why these species are gone it may foster an interest in conservation for the environment and native species of plants and animals. The Nature Center serves 27 counties in western North Carolina and each year welcomes 100,000 visitors through its doors.

For information on becoming a Wild Partner of the Wolves, contact Sarah Oram, Friends of the Nature Center at 828-298-5600 ext. 308 or friends@wildwnc.org.

Photos courtesy of  Paul M. Howey.

The Nature Center is open daily, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Admission is $7 for adults, $6 for seniors, $3 for ages 3-15, and children ages two and under are free. For information, contact the Nature Center at 828-298-5600 or www.wildwnc.org.