International Wolf Center

International Wolf Center The International Wolf Center uses science-based education to teach and inspire the world about wolves, their ecology, and the wolf-human relationship.
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PLEASE remember to be respectful to others, or your comments will be removed. We welcome an open discussion about wolves and wildlands. Mission: The International Wolf Center uses science-based education to teach and inspire the world about wolves, their ecology, and the wolf-human relationship. Vision: The International Wolf Center envisions a world where wolves and humans coexist within healthy

ecosystems. Humans respect, understand, and value wolves, allowing their populations to exist at ecologically functional levels over broad expanses of their native range.

🐺 In this photo, ambassador wolf Cedar is investigating an enrichment item! This log is stuffed with meat, feathers, and...
05/29/2026

🐺 In this photo, ambassador wolf Cedar is investigating an enrichment item! This log is stuffed with meat, feathers, and various scents. Enrichment opportunities are offered daily to promote a range of species-specific behaviors, as well as to provide enhanced mental and physical stimulation.

🌟Come see an enrichment in person at our Ely visitor center! We currently provide enrichments daily at 12pm and 4pm CT.

For anyone who appreciates a bit of history, this is the original sign for the International Wolf Center, painted by Ely...
05/28/2026

For anyone who appreciates a bit of history, this is the original sign for the International Wolf Center, painted by Ely artist Joe Baltich in 1986! 🐺🎨

In 1985, the “Wolves and Humans” exhibit by Dr. L. David Mech toured 19 cities, educating over 2.5 million visitors about wolves. Inspired by its success, the Committee for an International Wolf Center was formed, finding its perfect location in Ely, Minnesota—nestled in the heart of the largest gray wolf population in the contiguous U.S.

A temporary facility opened in 1989 to house the Center's first ambassador wolves. This was followed by the IWC’s permanent facility in 1993, which featured the award-winning 1985 exhibit. In 2019, this exhibit was updated to "Discover Wolves!", offering an immersive exploration of wolf ecology, research, and human perspectives. Visitors can engage with this educational experience and observe the ambassador wolves as they demonstrate the social behaviors and complex pack dynamics of wolves.

The Center offers educational programs and outdoor experiences attracting participants worldwide. It also reaches a global audience through its website, magazine, virtual learning, and webcams. Learn more at WOLF.ORG.

🐺 Wolves shed out their winter undercoat every spring! Their soft, downy underlayer comes out in cottony tufts, while th...
05/27/2026

🐺 Wolves shed out their winter undercoat every spring! Their soft, downy underlayer comes out in cottony tufts, while they keep their coarser guard hairs. This process happens quickly to ensure they can stay cool in the heat of the summer! 🌡️☀️

Photo 📸: ambassador wolf Rieka still sporting her winter coat

05/26/2026

🎉 In case you missed Rieka's birthday webinar, enjoy this short video of her birthday enrichment!

Our ambassador wolf birthday fundraiser ends on May 31st. If the ambassadors have ever made your day, brought a smile to your face, or made you reach out to share an image or a video, please consider a show of support at WOLF.ORG 🐺

🌲 Minnesota is home to a diverse amount of wildlife and iconic species. Now, a group of the state’s wildlife centers are...
05/25/2026

🌲 Minnesota is home to a diverse amount of wildlife and iconic species. Now, a group of the state’s wildlife centers are joining together to promote wildlife education and ecotourism across the state to Minnesota residents and out-of-state visitors with a program called Minnesota Wildlife Passport to Adventure.

Set to launch on June 1, the Minnesota Wildlife Passport to Adventure is a collaboration of the International Owl Center, International Wolf Center, National Eagle Center, National Loon Center, and North American Bear Center. The purpose is to raise awareness of the other centers at each location and encourage visitors to make plans to visit all of them through a special passport program.

Stay tuned! Passports will be available at each center for $4.99 beginning June 1st, 2026!

Happy 5th Birthday to ambassador wolf Rieka! 🎉
05/23/2026

Happy 5th Birthday to ambassador wolf Rieka! 🎉

🔆 Summer hours are HERE! Stop by our Ely visitor center any day from 9am-5pm this summer. Photo 📸: Ambassador wolves Ca...
05/22/2026

🔆 Summer hours are HERE! Stop by our Ely visitor center any day from 9am-5pm this summer.

Photo 📸: Ambassador wolves Caz, Cedar, and Rowan

⭐️ FACT or S**T? Ambassador wolf Rieka is one generation away from wild wolf populations 🐺. ⭐️ Answer: FACT! Rieka's lin...
05/21/2026

⭐️ FACT or S**T? Ambassador wolf Rieka is one generation away from wild wolf populations 🐺.

⭐️ Answer: FACT! Rieka's lineage can be traced back one generation to wild-born wolves in British Columbia, Canada. Her parents were abandoned as pups in the wild and raised in captivity.

Check out our Fact or S**t Trivia page for more!

https://wolf.org/wolf-info/basic-wolf-info/fact-or-scat/

🌱 Spring has arrived! For our wolf care team, this season means plenty of spring cleaning and enclosure maintenance. We...
05/20/2026

🌱 Spring has arrived! For our wolf care team, this season means plenty of spring cleaning and enclosure maintenance. We bring in a large supply of sand to use throughout spring and summer to fill holes, soften the tops of dens, and offer excellent environmental enrichment for the entire pack!

Photo 📸: Ambassador wolves Rowan, Blackstone, and Caz

Address

1396 Highway 169
Ely, MN
55731

Opening Hours

Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 2pm

Telephone

+12183654695

Website

https://linktr.ee/intlwolfcenter

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