In the press: Three wolf brothers join Seneca Park Zoo family
Victoria E. Freile
Staff writer
The newest residents of the Seneca Park Zoo — a trio of Mexican gray wolves — were introduced to the public Tuesday.
All 4 years old, the wolves are brothers and came to Rochester from the California Wolf Center in Julian, Calif., near San Diego. “¦
The Mexican wolves will be part of the zoo’s permanent collection.
“We’re very fortunate for this wonderful addition to the Seneca Park Zoo,” County Executive Maggie Brooks said at a morning news conference at the zoo, 2222 St. Paul St.
Dozens of zoo patrons stopped to meet the wolves Tuesday morning.
“I’m really excited they can bring some new animals to the zoo. Especially now with the elephants and baboons closed for the lion construction,” said Helen Sacco, 26, of Irondequoit, a zoo member for the last two years, as she touched her 15-month-old son Zachary’s nose while teaching him the sign language for wolf.
“Wolf, wolf, wolf,” she repeated for Zachary. “They are really beautiful.”
The Mexican gray wolf is the smallest member of the gray wolf subspecies and can be found mainly in the American southwest. Mexican gray wolves are considered an endangered species with fewer than 50 Mexican gray wolves still in the wild. “¦
To welcome the new zoo residents, Tuesday was deemed Wolf Day at the zoo, Cowan said.
Students from Rochester’s School 58 visited the zoo Tuesday and shared facts about the animals with zoo patrons.
Zoo officials will hold a contest to name the brothers. Names can be submitted to wolves@senecazoo.org by June 24. Entrants should include their name and phone number and reason for submitting the respective animal names.
Includes reporting by staff writer Shawn Dowd.
Additional Facts
The Seneca Park Zoo, 222 St. Paul St., is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, $9 for senior citizens, $7 for children ages 3 to 11 and free for children 2 and younger.
You can read the full article and view the photo gallery on the Democrat and Chronicle website.
TO LEARN HOW YOU CAN HELP ANOTHER FAMILY OF MEXICAN WOLVES THAT IS READY FOR RELEASE INTO THE WILD GAIN ITS FREEDOM, CLICK HERE.
Photo credit: Mexican wolves at play, courtesy of AZ Game and Fish Department
