Utica Zoo Is Now The Home of Four Mexican Grey Wolves

Yesterday, the Utica Zoo announced the addition of some new furry friends!

According to a press release, four new male Mexican Gray Wolves have made their way to Utica all the way from the California Wolf Center, outside of San Diego. They are two years old and are all siblings!

The arrival of the new male wolves is the latest addition to the long history of Mexican Gray Wolves at the Zoo. Since 2000, Utica Zoo has been an active participant in the conservation and advancement of the species. After the last of the original pack had passed away, the Zoo took a family group of 5 females. The offspring of one of the 5 females, our current female Sierra, has never bred.

The decision to bring in the wolves came after the death of the wolf, Aztec. Utica Zoo Director of Animal Operations Pearl Yusuf says:

 Even though it sometimes happens in the wild, ideally we do not want our animals – especially a species like Mexican wolves – to live without companionship. After Aztec passed, we were in touch with the right people to improve Sierra’s social quality of life.

Since their initial arrival, the new males have adapted nicely to their new home. The zoo described them as "playful and curious; regularly seen towards the front of their habitat near the viewing platform." Sierra has also adjusted well to her new companions, due to the lack of competition because of the different pecking orders of males and females.

Since 2000, Utica Zoo has been an active participant in the conservation and advancement of the species. They are excited to give their female wolf some interaction and are excited to be the new home of the four wolves.