New wolf pups need names

MINNEAPOLIS

Everyone needs a name.

On May 25, 2016, the International Wolf Center welcomed two rare arctic wolf pups from Canada to its interpretive center in Ely, MN. After several weeks of around the clock care, it's time to give these two pup brothers permanent names.

On its website wolf.org, the public was asked to submit names for consideration and be eligible for a prize.

The pups are brought out four times every day for live public programs at the interpretive center auditorium, but the public can watch them live, 24-hours a day on the streaming pup cams on wolf.org.

'We hope that people will observe the pups first hand at the interpretive center or through the pup cams,' said Rob Schultz, executive director. 'By watching them play and explore, people can get an idea of their personalities to come up with creative and memorable names.' Over 33,000 people visited the Center in 2015 and saw current adult ambassador wolves Grizzer, Aidan, Denali, Luna and Boltz.

Name suggestions were accepted up to June 24, 2016 at wolf.org. Then, submitted names will be narrowed down to three for each pup and final voting will take place from Tuesday, June 28 - Friday, July 1, 2016; winners will be announced on Monday, July 11, 2016.

The two contest winners will receive a prize package worth over $300 from the International Wolf Center, including a free one-year membership, two tickets for the the July 30, 2016 Pup Bus trip to see the pups in person, as well as a variety of fun wolf-themed merchandise.

The International Wolf Center does not breed wolves but adopts wolf pups every four years for its Exhibit Pack. These ambassador wolves are important learning opportunities for visitors to observe the biology and behavior of this misunderstood predator.