Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
A view of Brașov’s Old Town.
Romania • 12 days, 11 nights
Legends of Romania: Castles, Ruins & Culinary Delights
from
Balkans road trip
Bosnia and Herzegovina • 9 days, 8 nights
Balkans Road Trip: Serbia, Croatia & Bosnia and Herzegovina
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
Ambuluwawa Tower
The pavlova comes crowned with jewel-like fruit.
Central Park Boathouse
Hesperus Mountain.
Hesperus Mountain
Miniature Collection at Museo del Pueblo de Guanajuato
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
The pavlova comes crowned with jewel-like fruit.
Central Park Boathouse
The Village Tavern of Long Grove - exterior.
The Village Tavern
Hunter House Hamburgers
L’Escamoteur
Names on the bartop.
The Dive
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
U.S. Air Force Capt. Samuel “RaZZ” Larson, F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team commander, passes over the flight line at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, July 9, 2024
Who Swarmed Langley Air Force Base With Drones?
about 10 hours ago
Our producer Manolo Morales would spend his final days perusing the shelves at Book Off.
Where Would You Go to Wait for the Apocalypse?
1 day ago
This event showcasing the bounty of the Traverse City region’s amazing agriculture, craft, and creativity culminates with a Grand Tasting on August 23.
The Atlas Obscura Guide to Traverse City’s Event Season
2 days ago
She’ll get you and your little dog too.
Dear Atlas: Where Can I Explore Witch History Without the Kitsch?
2 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United States New York State New York City South Salem Wolf Conservation Center

Wolf Conservation Center

Protecting the future of some of the rarest and most misunderstood mammals of North America.

South Salem, New York

Added By
Megan Roberts
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
  NY Wolf- Wolf Conservation Center
  NY Wolf- Wolf Conservation Center
  Carli Donsky / Atlas Obscura User
  Carli Donsky / Atlas Obscura User
  Carli Donsky / Atlas Obscura User
  Allison Meier
  Allison Meier
  Allison Meier
  Allison Meier
  Carli Donsky / Atlas Obscura User
  Allison Meier
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Following centuries of persecution and slaughter at the hands of humans, both Mexican Gray and Red wolves were once hunted to the point of extinction in the wild.  Today, there are only a few hundred living members remaining of each species, the majority of which live in captivity.  

The Wolf Conservation Center of South Salem, New York is one of several facilities committed to the species survival and recovery plan for the Mexican Gray and Red wolf populations of the U.S.  Actively involved in the captive breeding and preparation for release of these critically endangered animals, the center is dedicated to educating the public about the plight of wolves and works to promote tolerance while dispelling some of the negative mythology surrounding the species.

The center's Red and Mexican Gray Wolf populations are kept in heavily wooded and secluded enclosures with minimal human contact so as to ensure a better chance of a successful release into the wild.  In an effort to educate and encourage a better understanding of wolves, WCC boasts three "Ambassador" wolves which have been raised at the center since they were young pups to be fairly comfortable around humans.  Zephyr and Alawa are a young, energetic pair of bonded siblings and are great fun to observe but the center's true pride and joy is Atka, the beautiful, 11-year old white Arctic Gray wolf who has been touring the northeast since he was quite young.  Atka makes educational appearances at museums, schools and events and has become something of a celebrity in conservation circles.

With so few Red and Mexican Gray wolves remaining worldwide let alone existing in the wild, facilities such as the Wolf Conservation Center are critical to the continuation of these species.  By aiding in selective breeding and release programs as well as educating people about wolves, their relationship to man and to the environment, the WCC hopes to give these rare and beautiful animals a fighting chance for survival.

 

Related Tags

Animals Wolves Wildlife Sanctuaries

Community Contributors

Added By

meganmichelle

Edited By

Carli Donsky

  • Carli Donsky

Published

June 30, 2013

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • http://nywolf.org/
Wolf Conservation Center
7 Buck Run St.
South Salem, New York, 10590
United States
41.279621, -73.584864
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Balanced Rock

North Salem, New York

miles away

Memorial to America’s First Circus Elephant

Somers, New York

miles away

Weir Farm National Historic Site

Wilton, Connecticut

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of New York State

New York State

United States

Places 807
Stories 45

Nearby Places

Balanced Rock

North Salem, New York

miles away

Memorial to America’s First Circus Elephant

Somers, New York

miles away

Weir Farm National Historic Site

Wilton, Connecticut

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of New York State

New York State

United States

Places 807
Stories 45

Related Stories and Lists

7 Wildlife Sanctuaries Where You Can Get Incredibly Close to Animals

animals

By Ella Morton

Society Adventures: Atka, the Wolf Ambassador

society adventures

By Megan Roberts

Society Adventures: An Evening Wolf Howl

society adventures

By Megan Roberts

Related Places

  • Mowgli, a wolf-dog hybrid

    Ramah, New Mexico

    Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary

    A vibrant colony of rescued wolves and other canids.

  • A lion at The Wild Animal Sanctuary, Keenesburg, Colorado.

    Keenesburg, Colorado

    The Wild Animal Sanctuary

    The world's largest carnivore sanctuary is home to over 450 meat-eating rescues.

    Sponsored by Visit Denver
  • Saint-Léger-de-Peyre, France

    Les Loups du Gevaudan

    A sanctuary for wolves in a community which once trembled in fear of the murderous "Beast of Gévaudan."

  • Stillwater marshes, with Stillwater Range beyond.  Looking east.

    Fallon, Nevada

    Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge

    The sump of the landlocked Carson River is a haven for wildlife.

  • A bird at Zealandia

    Wellington, New Zealand

    Zealandia

    The world's first fully-fenced urban ecosanctuary is a haven for New Zealand's rare and endangered species.

  • Salt Lake City, Utah

    Allen Park

    This former wildlife sanctuary is being transformed into an art park.

  • Sheep Range (skylined) east from Alamo Road.

    Las Vegas, Nevada

    Desert National Wildlife Refuge

    Improbably, the largest wildlife refuge in the conterminous 48 states sits just northwest of Las Vegas, Nevada.

  • A tiger named Kiara plays with her scratch ball during enrichment time.

    Eureka Springs, Arkansas

    Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge

    This mountaintop refuge rehabilitates tigers, lions, bears, and more from illicit wildlife trade—and offers overnight lodging.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.