Lakota Wolf Preserve
At Camp Taylor Campground, high up the ridge of the Kittatinny Mountains
at the very edge of New Jersey, its always been easy to imagine the
days when the most densely populated state in the nation was wilderness.
The campground adjoins the Delaware Water Gap
National Recreation Area where bears are relatively common and bobcats and bald eagles are occasionally
sighted. But the native wolf is long gone from these hills and, excepting
Alaska and Minnesota, most of the United States. Now, at the Lakota
Wolf Preserve, you can see wolves here in the East in a natural surrounding
for the first time in over a century.
Bacon and Friend
Wildlife photographer Dan Bacon broke a fundamental rule of business when he let his professional relationship with wolves get personal. After he adopted a few wolf pups twenty-five years ago he found himself spending most of his time in transit from his home in Clinton, NJ to Colorado, where he kept his growing pack. When Bacon found out that he could no longer keep the wolves in Colorado, he had fifteen mouths to feed and nowhere to go.
Through fellow New Jersey wildlife photographer Leonard Lee Rue, Bacon made the connection with Clayton Taylor, whose family has a long association both with Dr. Rue and the preservation of wildlife. In the spring of 1997, a mile and a half of chain link fence were delivered to the campground during the height of mud season, beginning the process of building a new home for the wolves, scheduled to arrive in June. Two rows of fence now surround ten acres of Kittatinny woodlands, buried 6 inches in the ground and topped with 3 rows of barbless wire cantilever. Supported by 850 poles buried in 3300 bags of Sakrete, the fence forms four compounds, each the size of a football field. All because Bacon let a professional relationship get personal.
Lakota Wolf Preserve at Camp Taylor.
85 Mt. Pleasant Rd., Columbia
Dan runs the preserve with his wife Pam and their partner Jim Stein who resides near the preserve and manages the day to day business of caring for the wolves and the people that come to see them. After visiting the wolves in Colorado with Bacon, Stein jumped at the chance to be part of this unique venture. The Lakota Wolf Preserve is now home to twenty-one adult wolves, plus three bobcats, and two foxes.
Thirteen
timbers, five arctics and three tundras currently reside in four separate
compounds, one for each pack, with one left for the bobcats, foxes and
wolf pups during their weaning and "socialization" period.
All these wolves were born and raised in captivity and, while far from
domestic, have bonded with humans. If the pups were not introduced
to people by regular interaction, they would live most of their lives
hidden in the far reaches of their quarters.
Visitors can enjoy a scenic walk back to the Preserve or ride at scheduled intervals. Beyond the double chained locked gates, the observation area lies in the center of the four compounds. Dan or Jim, glad to answer any questions, talk about the social structure of wolf packs, their eating habits, their interaction with man, and many other interesting facts. Unlike a zoo, visitors must often sit and wait for the wolves to come out of the woods, which they do most readily at feeding time. When they arrive you will be able to watch the wolves play, interact with each other and maybe even hear them howl!
Serious photographers can take advantage of guided photography or video sessions around each individual wolf compound. There are numerous opportunities to get unobstructed pictures of the wolves in their natural setting through portal openings in the fencing. Since photographers can access the wolves where they live, in a stress-free environment, photo opportunities are splendid. A guide will be on hand to offer assistance if needed and to present the wolves, taking into account the optimum light conditions for each season of the year. For the professional or amateur, a session can be a valuable lesson in the photographer's art. Fall and winter, when the wolves' coats grow thick, are the best times to photograph.
Pack Facts
- The wolves at Lakota Preserve consume 30,000 lbs. of meat each year, most of which is road-killed deer.
- The pitch of a wolf's howl changes up and down, making it sound like the pack is larger than it really is and intimidating potential invaders. Each wolf has distinctive voice, and pack members can recognize each other.
- A dog can exert up to 700 lbs. of jaw pressure. A wolf exerts 1700 lbs.
- Adult male wolves weigh up to 110 pounds, with females usually weighing 10 to 20 pounds less. They may stand up to 32 inches high at the shoulder, and are often 6 to 6 1/2 feet from nose to tail. They usually weigh 15 to 20 pounds more in the winter partially due to a heavier fur coat.
- Wolves have a double layer of fur. The woolly underlayer grows very thick in the fall and winter and allows wolves to easily survive temperatures well below zero. The outer layer of guard hairs repels snow and water, and keeps the insulating layer dry. During the spring, the thick underfur sheds so the wolf can survive the heat.
- Wolves are running machines, capable of sustaining a 35 mph run for up to 12 miles or a trot of 12 mph for 8 to 10 hours.
Relocating these wolves and caring for them has been an expensive proposition. You can help defray some of the costs for feeding, medicine, and housing the wolves through various levels of sponsorships for the wolf of your choice.
Fees for visiting the wolves within the observation area at the Preserve (Wolf Watch) are $15 adult, $10 child.
Photography sessions
Serious photographers can take advantage of guided photography or video sessions around each individual wolf compound. There are numerous opportunities to get unobstructed pictures of the wolves in their natural setting through portal openings in the fencing. Photography clubs are welcome. Call toll free for reservations or more information: 1-877-SEE-WOLF. For current rates go to website.
