California Wolf Center Invites Public to “Fall” for Wolves with Seasonal Experiences, New Webcam

JULIAN, CALIF. – The California Wolf Center (CWC), a nonprofit organization dedicated to the return of wild wolves to their natural habitat, will host two special Fall-themed events at its Julian conservation center in the coming weeks, as families flock to San Diego’s beloved mountain town for Apple Season. Additionally, CWC has launched a new live webcam, allowing animal-lovers to experience the center’s critically endangered gray wolves from anywhere year-round. Originally known as the Julian Center for Science and Education, CWC is celebrating its 45th anniversary in 2022. It was founded in 1977 by Paul Kenis, a biologist and retired Navy marine environmentalist, and his botanist wife Judy, who started with just two North American gray wolves. Today, the one-of-a-kind conservation, education and research facility is home to 29 wolves in six packs, including 25 Mexican gray wolves and four North American gray wolves. Several of the wolves are exhibited for educational purposes, while others are part of a program to be reintroduced into the wild in the southwestern U.S. and need to have limited human contact to ensure their success. Advanced reservations are required to visit CWC’s conservation facility, located 4.5 miles from downtown Julian. Public guided tours are offered Friday through Monday, and private group tours are available on weekdays. CWC’s upcoming Fall-themed guest experiences include:

Apple Days Enrichment Tours – Apple season is not just for humans. On September 24 (10 AM) and September 25 (3 PM), CWC will offer specialty tours in which guests can toss sweet, apple-based enrichment items to the ambassador wolves.

Howl-o-Ween – On October 29 and October 30 (4 PM), CWC will host its second annual Howl-O-Ween tours. Ambassador wolves will be treated to special Halloween-themed enrichment items like pumpkins, all in a fun, spooky setting.

Reservations for all tours can made here.

Additional fun ways to experience CWC this Fall – or anytime – include:

New Live Webcam ­– CWC has launched a new webcam offering a live stream from inside one of the wolf enclosures, featuring a birds-eye view of three Mexican gray wolves (Emma, Thor and Durango). Access to the video feed is free (although donations are welcome) and available through the CWC website, YouTube, Facebook and Twitch.

Visitor Center & Nature Shop – In order to make the organization and its wolf-conservation story more accessible to both locals and tourists, CWC opened a storefront Visitor Center and wildlife-inspired gift shop in downtown Julian in early-2020. (Due to the pandemic, many Julian visitors are discovering this relatively new site for the first time in 2022.) Located just steps from Main Street, at 2775 B Street, the Visitor Center is open seven days a week (10 AM to 5 PM). Guests will find exhibits on wolf biology and ecology, information about conservation partnerships that support wolf recovery in the wild, and unique wolf and wildlife gift items available for purchase. Visitors can also sign up for guided tours of the conservation facility at this location.

“Fall is the perfect time to explore Julian, not just for apple-picking and pie, but also to get out in nature and experience these incredible creatures,” said Executive Director Theresa Kosen. “As the days shorten and the weather cools off, our wolves become more active. Guests may even hear them howl as they interact with each other. We love helping people make personal connections with these vitally important animals, as we work together to secure a future where wild wolves once again thrive in their natural habitats.”

About the California Wolf Center

The California Wolf Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to the return of wild wolves to their natural habitat and to the people who share their landscape with them. We foster communities coming together to ensure wolves, livestock and people thrive in today’s world. More information can be found on the organization’s website, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn.