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Day Tripper - Lakota Wolf Preserve
08/23/2010 - By Teja Anderson
Lakota Wolf Preserve
89 Mount Pleasant Road
Columbia, NJ 07832
Phone (877) 733-9653
www.lakotawolf.com
Due largely to the current “Twilight” book and movie series phenomenon pitting Vampires against Werewolves featuring a hunky pack of Quileute teenaged shape shifters - most notably “Jacob Black,” played by heartthrob Taylor Lautner - wolves have never been hotter. But whether you are “Team Edward” or “Team Jacob” a “Twi-Hard” fan or not, your whole family can enjoy and observe these noble creatures up close at the Lakota Wolf Preserve right here in Columbia, N.J.
Wolves are legendary because of the spine-tingling howl they use to communicate with. A lone wolf howls to attract the attention of his or her pack, but communal howls send territorial messages from one pack to another. Some howls are confrontational and some purely social. The adaptable gray wolves are by far the most common and were once found all over the Northern Hemisphere. But wolves and humans have a long adversarial history. Though they seldom attack humans, wolves are considered to be one of the animal world’s most fearsome villains. Because wolves sometimes do attack domestic animals, untold numbers have been shot, trapped, and poisoned because of this tendency, as well as for their fur. But here on the preserve owners Jim Stein and Dan and Pam Bacon make sure that both humans and wolves are treated with kindness and respect.
The Lakota Wolf Preserve has 21 wolves in all, including arctic, timber and tundra wolves. 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 of their wolves have been hand raised and are very special and sociable. They love the people who raised them and serve as their guardians, and also are friendly to the people who come to visit and marvel at them. In many ways they are closer to our human canine companions than they are to their wild wolf brothers and sisters. As all the wolves were born and raised in captivity, while still far from being considered domestic, they have all bonded with humans. If the pups had not been introduced to people in regular intervals, they would live most of their lives hidden in the far reaches of their quarters.
Upon arrival at the preserve - which was a recent winner of the N. J. Governor’s Environmental Tourism Award - you can either enjoy a scenic walk or take the provided tram to the wolves’ observation area, seeing many forms of local wildlife along the way, such as foxes and bobcats. Once you reach the observation area, beyond the double chained locked gates, you will find yourself in the observation area. It lies in the center of the four wolf pack compounds, each the size of a football field. Here the people who raised and care for the wolves will teach you about the social structure of wolf packs, their eating habits, their interaction with humankind and many other interesting facts. They will educate you on the true behavior of the wolf and will happily answer any questions you may have.Unlike a zoo, where visitors must often sit and wait for the wolves to come out of the woods, while in the observation area you will be able to watch the wolves play, interact with each other and maybe even get a chance to hear them howl.
• Although the lifespan of a wolf is usually less than 10 years in the wild, in captivity wolves can live up to 20 years.
• The wolves at Lakota Preserve consume 30,000 lbs. of meat each year, most of which is road-killed deer; conservation at it’s best!
• 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 under layer 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 under fur 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.
The Lakota Wolf Preserve also offers unique opportunities for serious photographers. You can enjoy a guided photography and video session around each individual wolf compound with owner and professional wildlife photographer Dan Bacon where there will be numerous opportunities to get unobstructed pictures of the wolves in their natural settings through the “portal openings” in the fencing. Since you will be photographing the wolves where they live, in a stress free environment, youwill get the best possible photo opportunities as well as assistance and instruction from Dan. Fall and winter, when the wolves’ coats grow thick, are the best times to photograph adults but in the spring and summer there might be cubs. Reservations for these two hour sessions are required and the cost is $300 plus tax. To book a photography session call 908-735-4244
- Please note: There are ONLY two time options for viewing the wolves: Arriving at 10 am and departing at 1 pm for the morning watch or Arriving at 3:30 pm and departing at 6 pm for the afternoon watch. They are open Tuesday through Sunday, CLOSED Mondays. You will need a reservation for weekdays, but not on weekends. Please call 1-877-733-9653 to book your reservation.
Admission fee of $16.05 (tax included) per adult age 12 years and older, and $7.49 (tax included) per child age 2-11yrs pays for you to just do a wolf watch and be on the campground premises. NO CREDIT CARDS and NO PETS
For an additional fee by the Taylor Campground of $6.15 per adult and $1.11 per child, you may arrive as early as 9am and depart as late as 6pm and this enables you to use the Camp Taylor facilities including the swimming lake, you can bring a picnic lunch, use the hiking trails, rent the boats or mini golf, etc.
For overnight camping, call Camp Taylor at 1-908-496-4333. Camp Taylor is a separate company. They can not answer questions for Lakota Wolf.
You can also become a “Wolf Supporter” by making a donation to help take care of these wonderful animals by sponsoring one of them. Your help will go towards the feeding, medical needs and all around general care of these wolves which is quite costly. A complimentary campground day-pass or passes will be included with your certificate.
Lakota Wolf Preserve
89 Mount Pleasant Road
Columbia, NJ 07832
Phone (877) 733-9653
www.lakotawolf.com
Admission:
Adults (12 years and older): $16.05
Children (2-11 years old): $7.49
tax included in pricing
Hours:
Tuesday though Sunday Two viewing times: 10 am and 3 pm
Sponsorships:
Lakota Bronze: For $25 - You will be invited to the observation area to see your wolf and the others. You will receive a picture magnet of your wolf and a quarterly newsletter about the preserve’s progress.
Lakota Silver: For $45 - You will have two visits to the observation area to see your wolf and the others and receive a quarterly newsletter about the preserve’s progress. You’ll also receive a “Sponsor Only T-shirt”.
Lakota Gold: For $100 - You will have three visits to the observation area to see your wolf and the others, a “Sponsor Only Tshirt”, a framed 5X7 print of your wolf, and a quarterly newsletter progress report.
Getting There:
From the East take Route 80 to exit 4
From the West take Route 80 to exit 4C
Take 94 North for 2 miles to Hainesburg Left on Mount Pleasant Road. 1.5 miles to Camp Taylor Campground.
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