SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Feb. 20, 2019 (Gephardt Daily) — Hogle Zoo announced Wednesday that it will transfer its lone wolf, Angel, to a wolf sanctuary in the Northwest, and modify her current habitat to accommodate four rescued red foxes.
The move will end Hogle Zoo’s more than five-decade participation with the North American Gray Wolf species.
“We know this will be a difficult transition for many in our community,” said Erica Hansen, zoo spokeswoman. “Wolves are among our more popular animals and we will all miss them.”
Angel’s 12-year-old companion, Glacier, was euthanized in late November due to his declining health.
After that, “Hogle Zoo began working on the best possible situation for remaining wolf and companion animal, Angel,” a zoo statement says.
Angel is also 12. Gray wolves are not currently endangered, so the Species Survival Plan — which formerly worked with the Association of Zoo and Aquariums to increase numbers of gray wolves — is no longer managing the population, “meaning, zoos are not breeding gray wolves so acquiring wolves gets complicated,” Hogle Zoo’s statement said.
“Without an SSP for gray wolves, we would begin a cycle of acquiring, transporting and replacing aging animals without partnerships.”
After some exhibit modifications, Hogle Zoo will introduce the red foxes, a species native to Utah.
“The foxes are young and playful and they live right here in our own backyard,” Hansen said. “Plus they are rescued animals that needed a good home, so we’re happy we can offer them a great quality of life while educating our guests on some of Utah’s interesting species.”
The statement said Angel’s transfer will happen once the winter storms subside both in Salt Lake City as well as the Northwest.
