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This was a spur of the moment adventure (most of mine are). I decided to go somewhere 4th of July week.
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2017.07.06 - Went to North Georgia Zoo for a wolf encounter. It was a very hot and humid day. And though I paid for both the encounter, a photo package and the wildlife tour, after the wolf encounter I was toast. I am planning on going back in fall for a more intensive visit. I don't yet have the photos from the package - I'll post them when I get them. Those will include me interacting with the wolves. Go #NorthGAZoo
I got very lucky in that no one else was on the tour. This allowed me to have a solo encounter and I got an extended period and was able to have encounters with two adult wolves. But the adventure started off with an interaction with one of the two wolf pups the zoo has this year. Rowan was a very friendly wolf pup. As with most young animals he was easily distracted. He pretty much has the same attention span that I do. But just like his domestic counter-part, loves belly rubs and head petting. The handler - Jessie - is very knowledgeable and gave me tons of information on wolves during our session.
The first gallery are the pics I took of 2 wolves, Blaine and Gideon. I only have 3 photos that I took of Gideon as he was the main adult wolf I engaged with in my encounter - so couldn't snap and pet at the same time. Blaine on the other hand, was very much enjoying his time out of their enclosure and I went a bit snap happy.
After my my visit with the wolves and watching them chow down on venison, I got a bit hungry myself not having had breakfast and it being noon:30. I decided to try the Wolf Mountain Winery Cafe. The cafe is open Thursday to Sunday - and reservations are highly recommended. I got lucky to get in. As I don't drink I can't comment on the wine aspect, but the views are awesome (header of this page and shots in the gallery) and the food was wonderful. I started with a cheese and quince appetizer, got a pizza (but only had 2 slices because I wanted dessert). The dessert consisted of two bites of 4 types of dessert. Probably meant to be shared but as I was on my own - oh well, you have to do what you have to do.
Click on the main photo to see navigation controls for the slide show, play the entire slide show or click on individual thumbnails to see the photo you are interested in.
My photos with the wolves - taken by Bobby B.
So here are the photos of me interacting with the wolves. In the spirit of fair advertising, in several photos (this section and above) I photo shopped out the leash the handler (Jessie) had on the wolves and in most cases photo shopped out Jessie as well :-) - just makes me appear braver LOL. However I did ensure that I showed Jessie in at least one photo so you all know it is a controlled encounter - should you be considering it - which I strongly suggest!!! Please note - while I was pulling away from the wolves (big and small) as they attempted face contact, not my choice - it isn't a safe practice so the zoo doesn't allow it. #myfavzoo
Zoo and Wolf tidbits
Tips I found out from Jessie
- Wolves have coarse outer hairs that both protect them from the elements (and fleas) and is tough enough to act as a bit of armor
- Wolves do form bonds with their partners, but have as much variety as people do in that some might be life-long, some for two years or so.
- The Zoo has an arrangement to take venison parts from a butcher that are high quality - but too tough for humans (unless making jerky) for their wolves. This has resulted in about 60% less waste from the butcher, lowered costs for the zoo and a great source for providing natural diet to the wolves.
- Wolves use their dew claws more than domestic dogs, they grip bones with them.
- You can enclose males together but the females are a bit more fussy (seems like human life as well)
- Males mark everything to show their territory, their alpha-ness and just because (again seems like human life)
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