Edmonton Valley Zoo reveals new Arctic wolf sanctuary for its pack of 3

An Arctic wolf howls at the Edmonton Valley Zoo in an undated file photo. (Courtesy: Edmonton Valley Zoo)

The Edmonton Valley Zoo unveiled a new home for its pack of Arctic wolves on Thursday.

The R. Mollot Arctic Wolf Habitat features 5,000 square meters of natural environment designed to accommodate Tundra, Aspen and Anuri, the three wolves living at the zoo.

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“We’re incredibly excited to introduce this wonderful new home for our howling residents and are confident it will be a hit with visitors, as it highlights not only the beauty of our Arctic wolves but also our commitment to educating the public about various species and the challenges they face in the wild,” said Gary Dewar, the director of the Edmonton Valley Zoo, in a Thursday release.

“We hope it will inspire future generations to take action in protecting these remarkable animals and their environment.”

Plans for the wolf sanctuary began after the death of Tundra’s long-term partner, Shilah, in 2022.

Tundra has served as the heart and soul of the wolf habitat project, as he’s been part of the Edmonton Valley Zoo since 2014.

The zoo began searching for new packmates shortly after Shilah’s death. In February 2024, the zoo brought in two new wolves – Aspen and Anuri – from the Parc Zoologique CERZA in France.

They were slowly introduced to the zoo to ensure the safety and comfort of all of the animals, and won’t be officially introduced to Tundra until after the grand opening of their home.

The project was paid for by the Valley Zoo Development Society’s fundraising efforts, with key donations coming from Malliner Charitable Foundation and Valley Zoo guests.

The enclosure features a natural Arctic tundra environment that consists of trees, grass, shrubs, fallen logs, boulders and mulch, as well as a holding area, an off-exhibit yard, water features, a den and digging areas.

The zoo’s goal for the revitalization project is to provide a stimulating environment which promotes the wolves' natural behaviours, instincts and cognitive abilities, and provide a safe space for the wolves to get acquainted.

Donations to support the wolf habitat can be made to the Valley Zoo Development Society.

The Arctic wolf habitat will be available for public viewing on March 21.