Bramble Park Zoo Welcomes Four Gray Wolf Pups, Now Under 24‑Hour Care
- Steve Jurrens
- May 7
- 2 min read
Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - Bramble Park Zoo is celebrating the arrival of four gray wolf pups, now being hand‑raised by zoo staff after arriving last weekend, according to a release from the City of Watertown. The pups — two males and two females — were born April 18 at Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary. Two have black fur, and two have white fur.
Zoo officials say the pups were separated from their mother due to an insufficient milk supply, making human intervention necessary for their survival. “This is believed to be the first time Bramble Park Zoo has hand‑raised wolf pups,” the release states, noting that while many pups in the wild do not survive their first weeks, specialized diets and veterinary care dramatically improve outcomes in captivity.
At just a few weeks old, the pups require around‑the‑clock care, including feedings every four hours, constant monitoring, and temperature regulation. Their eyes have recently opened, their ears are beginning to open, and they have already started vocalizing and attempting to howl.
Zoo Superintendent Stacy Plocher praised the staff’s efforts, saying, “As every parent knows, it takes a village to raise a child. These pups have a dedicated team behind them… we’re doing everything the mother would be doing to ensure healthy development.”
The pups are currently in a standard quarantine period for new arrivals. With limited immunity at this age, staff are closely tracking their weight, feedings, and overall development. They will not be visible to the public until they are older and cleared to move into their new habitat.
Gray wolves play a vital ecological role by helping to manage deer and elk populations and reducing the spread of disease by removing sick animals. As the pups grow, they will begin forming their own pack structure — behavior that the public will eventually be able to observe once they are ready to be viewed.
