Gone but not forgotten

When you take your wolves out for a walkie, it’s hard not to be lulled into a certain coochy-coochy-coo way of relating to them, because, let’s face it: They’re pretty darn cute.

Photo By Amy Rowling

But wolves are formidable predators with long, pointed teeth, so it’s important to maintain a level of vigilance and emotional detachment when you’re in their company.

Since last summer, Henry Bulluck has strolled the grounds of the Western North Carolina Nature Center several times a week with Cody, a male gray wolf pup, and Shalimar, a female, shown here. The pair of captive-born animals is still becoming acclimated to the new surroundings, and part of that process is getting them used to interacting with the daily crush of visitors to the center.

“Wolves used to live throughout Western North Carolina,” says Bulluck, the center’s animal curator. “But when the settlers came over, they were considered something to be exterminated.”

To get your own glimpse of the past, call the center at 298-5600 for visiting hours.

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