Watertown zoo welcomes four gray wolf pups
Watertown zoo welcomes four gray wolf pups
Staff Reports, Watertown Public opinionThu, May 7, 2026 at 9:31 AM UTC
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The City of Watertown announced the arrival of four gray wolf pups at Bramble Park Zoo. The pups, two males and two females, were born April 18 at Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary in West Bend, Wisconsin.
They arrived at the zoo last weekend and are now being hand-raised by zoo staff. Two of the pups have black fur and two of the pups have white fur, the community notice stated.
Four wolf pups born April 18, 2026, at Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary in West Bend, Wisconsin, are being raised at Bramble Park Zoo in Watertown, South Dakota.
The pups were separated from their mother due to an insufficient milk supply, making it necessary for staff to step in to support their survival, the release stated.
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This is believed to be the first time Bramble Park Zoo has hand-raised wolf pups. In the wild most of the pups wouldn’t make it out of the den, but in captivity, zoo staff can help them all reach adulthood with specialized diets and veterinary care, the release stated.
At this stage, the pups require around-the-clock care. They are being fed every four hours and must be kept warm. They are being monitored closely. Their eyes have recently opened, and their ears are beginning to open. Despite their age, the pups are already beginning to howl.
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“As every parent knows, it takes a village to raise a child. These pups have a dedicated team behind them,” said Stacy Plocher, zoo superintendent. “Right now, we’re doing everything the mother would be doing to ensure healthy development.”
The pups are currently in a quarantine period, the release stated, which is standard for all animals entering the Bramble Park Zoo. The young pups have limited immunity, so staff are closely monitoring their feedings, weight and overall development. Their health and development will determine when they are ready to transition into their new habitat. The pups are not visible to the public during this time.
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Gray wolves play an important role in maintaining healthy ecosystems, the zoo release stated. As predators, wolves help manage deer and elk populations and reduce the spread of disease by removing sick animals.
Wolves are highly social animals, and these pups will eventually form their own pack structure. The public will eventually have the opportunity to observe their development.
This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: Bramble Park Zoo welcomes gray wolf pups in Watertown
Source: “AOL Breaking”
