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Day Visits held Sunday afternoons between 1400-1630 (an hour earlier in winter months)
Access to our wolf sanctuary is strictly controlled since we are a private membership group and not open to the public. Individuals who wish to visit the Wolf Centre have to be current members with valid Visitor Passes, then a mutually agreed day for a visit can be arranged. You can apply for membership by using the ‘Join Now’ link here or in the links above.
Ironically it is the very fact that Kgosi and Madadh are socialised to people and more than a little enthusiastic to meet them, that we do not take visitors into their enclosure. This would be distressing for the visitors themselves, since the wolves would be inclined to be very forward and boisterous. The confidence of being with their sibling and the handlers - that is us, which amounts to their pack! - as well as in their own territory, would mean they could be jumping and interacting around people with little inhibition.
Though no doubt some of our visitors might enjoy being roughed up by an excited wolf, as do we the handlers, many might find this distressing and until you are close you won't appreciate how much bigger and stronger they are than any dog. Though relatively gentle with us humans, we would not risk any possible problems or distress on either side.
As socialised wolves Madadh and her brother Kgosi - are not afraid to approach visitors directly, unlike Nouska for example who tended to stand off. This means we introduce them differently because of their greater confidence. Madadh is now usually the wolf that will meet and greet visitors. To bring her outside we need to keep her on a sufficiently robust lead to ensure her safety and those of visitors, should anything distract the group unexpectedly. They’ve been accustomed to leads since young cubs and can be guided quite loosely as you can see from the photos. We also utilise biscuits amongst the visitors as a useful distraction if required. Because of conditioning when they were young, they will often sit if asked expecting a biscuit reward! The wolves seem to enjoy meeting new people and it helps to enrich their environment and break routines, keeping them more alert and happy. As a social, highly intelligent, pack animal this seems to make sense. None of this would be possible or entertained by us, if the wolves themselves were not so keen to meet people and were not such excellent wolf ambassadors.
Madadh meeting visitors at WWUK
We have never had a problem but we prefer to be cautious so that hopefully we never will. The kinds of wolf interaction visitors have had over the years are entirely subject to the wolves themselves and naturally vary according to the characters of the animals we happen to be caring for. A visitors experience is dictated by the wolves requirements not the other way around.
The late Luna and Nouska meeting visitors at WWUK
We have also pioneered an additional visiting experience at the Wolf Centre, which compliments our previously day-time only activities. Our ‘Night Time’ visits give the opportunity for members to appreciate the full range of the wolf experience, by providing a glimpse into their nocturnal life. To find out more about our ‘Night Time Visits’ please use the link highlighted here.
We also accept visitors from approved conservation organisations on pre-arranged days (fees and conditions apply for the different groups).
We also run special photography days, these courses are run by our own professional photographers, who will arrange and guide people of all abilities and backgrounds who wish to capture the Wolf Centre’s residents on film. To find out more about our ‘Photography Days’ please use the link highlighted here or above in the links section.
To Adopt-a-Wolf and/or request Visitor and/or Guest Passes then click on the ‘Join Now’ link highlighted here or at the top of the page and utilise the form provided.
Important Notice: Please note that for safety reasons we are not able to introduce our socialised wolves to visitors who are under 16 years of age and/or beneath the height of 5ft minimum. This is ultimately in the visitors interests as well as our own and that of our wolves. In order to avoid disappointment we would therefore discourage visitors who potentially fall into this category.
Photography by Chris Cray
© Wolf Watch UK
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