Open 361 Days a Year: Admissions 10:00am – 3:30pm; park closes at 4:30pm

Due to significant flooding and impassable roads in our region from Tropical Storm Helene, the WNC Nature Center is temporarily CLOSED.

All of our animals are safe and accounted for, and there is minimal damage to the habitats. However, Swannanoa River Road and the main bridge to the Nature Center were washed away, and it will take time to reopen. We will undoubtedly need your support as we rebuild.

Donations can be made at www.wildwnc.org/donate.

November 10, 2018
7:10 pm

Welcoming New Red Wolves Karma and Garnet

The red wolves at the WNC Nature Center have long been a part of the important Species Survival Plan (SSP) program through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Through this program, the WNC Nature Center has proudly seen thirteen red wolf pups born into our care.

The SSP program is designed to assist in conservation and ensure the long-term sustainability of animal populations like the red wolf. This work is critical to the red wolf, whose number in the wild have dwindled below 50 animals. Due to this extremely small wild population, the red wolf is considered scientifically extinct in the wild. It is now up to conservation programs like the SSP to ensure that the red wolf species has a future.

Red wolves, Van and Rozene, have recently left the WNC Nature Center for Fossil Rim Nature Center in Glen Rose, Texas. This transition was recommended by the SSP program since Van and Rozene have not yet successfully bred together. We’re hopeful that a change of scenery might help them to be successful. Van was born here at the WNC Nature Center in 2012 and Rozene came here in 2015 from Missouri.

Red wolves Karma and Garnet recently arrived at the WNC Nature Center. Karma transitioned here from Chehaw Park in Albany, Georgia, where she was born. Garnet came from Reflection Riding Nature Center in Chattanooga, Tennessee. They are both three years old. We are hopeful that they will be a successful breeding pair and that we could soon welcome more red wolf pups at the WNC Nature Center!

This important work will contribute to the future of the red wolf. For more information about red wolves, check out this educational video.