Wolf pups come to Rietvlei Zoo Farm
Rietvlei Zoo Farm has two new permanent residents, Hunter and Phantom, a pair of Canadian timber wolf pups.
ALBERTON – Rietvlei Zoo Farm has two new permanent residents, Hunter and Phantom, a pair of Canadian timber wolf pups.
The two are only seven weeks old, but are already the size of large puppies.
Timber wolves (or canis lupus occidentalis) are one of the largest subspecies of wolves, with grown males weighing between 45–61kg, according to Forwolves.org .
Fans of the medieval fantasy Game of Thrones would be forgiven for seeing a resemblance between the pair of pups and the dire wolves depicted in the series and books.
Phantom was almost named Ghost, after one of the fictional wolves. While dire wolves are extinct, timber wolves are the most widespread member of the five grey wolf subspecies in North America.
The wolves are under the care of animal handlers and conservationists Nicolene Leibenberg and John Wagenaar, who aim to improve environmental and wildlife educational efforts with the pups.
The wolves will be kept at the farm as “ambassadors” and will be open for the public to view. They will assist in educational presentations and possibly participate in photographic and film work.
Read more here:
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