The San Francisco Zoo has added some amazing new members to its animal population! Last week, they welcomed four Mexican gray wolf sisters to Wolf Canyon (Cañón del Lobo) as part of a larger survival plan for the endangered wolf subspecies. One of the wolves is named “Betty White” in memory of the beloved actress who died on December 31 just a few weeks shy of her 100th birthday.
We are thrilled to announce the arrival of four Mexican gray wolves to Wolf Canyon (Cañón del Lobo)! The sisters, born May 13, 2018, come from the California Wolf Center and are acclimating to their new environment. pic.twitter.com/wFI31ygQdX
— San Francisco Zoo (@sfzoo) January 21, 2022
The four wolf sisters were born in May 2018 and came to the Zoo from the California Wolf Center. They were placed at the Zoo as part of the Mexican Gray Wolf Species Survival Plan and Mexican Gray Wolf Recovery Program, led by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
The Mexican gray wolf species dwindled nearly to extinction in the 1970s as a result of ranching, hunting, trapping, and poison, but they have made a slow rebound thanks to captive breeding efforts. An initial group of 11 wolves was released into the wild in Arizona and New Mexico, and the wild population is now at 186. There are an additional 220 wolves living in managed care, such as these new wolves at the SF Zoo.
In 2020 gray wolves were removed from the Endangered Species List, which took away their federal protections against new hunting policies. Many wildlife programs continue to seek elevated protections for gray wolves as a result.
The Zoo chose to name one of the wolves “Betty White” as a result of the actress’s “positive and profound, life-long support of the work of zoos and her great love of animals.”
We are excited to share that one of the wolves has been named “Betty White” to honor the beloved actress for her positive and profound, life-long support of the work of zoos and her great love of animals. Stay tuned for more information on our new residents! pic.twitter.com/6SxmgohaOU
— San Francisco Zoo (@sfzoo) January 21, 2022
The San Francisco Zoo is home to over 2,000 exotic, endangered and rescued animals from more than 250 species. Popular animal residents include the grizzly bear sisters Kachina and Kiona, as well as the largest colony of Magellanic penguins outside of the wild. You can also find gorillas, giraffes, zebras, ostriches, and many more exciting animals at the Zoo.
The SF Zoo is open from 10am-5pm daily, and general admission tickets for adults cost $25. Advance reservations are required.
Featured image: Cynthia Kidwell via Shutterstock