The Endangered Wolf Center is a leader in the research and conservation of wolves—an apex predator crucial to maintaining the delicate balance of ecosystems. It is a team of passionate biologists and educators who care for these misunderstood animals but also works tirelessly to share their story, through daily tours, and up close experiences such as Keeper for a Day, Training or Enrichment experiences. You can even come out to hear a wolf howl during an evening campfire. There is nothing like the howl of a wolf.
During my 18 years as a volunteer, the center has been a key contributor in the growth of Mexican Wolves in the wild with only 40 in the wild when I started to over 250 today.
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Amazing organization on the cutting edge of conservation. A leading facility in the husbandry of Mexican and Red Wolves with reintroduction into the wild the goal. Fostering pups into the wild, breeding research, genetic management and so much more.
As a volunteer, I've gotten so much more in return. I cherish the life long friends I've made and so many unique experiences. There is nothing like the howl of a wolf as the snow quietly falls. It never gets old. Watching the rambunctious and playful African Painted Dogs is a heart stealer. Witnessing the swift foxes and Arctic fox turn into fuzz balls as winter approaches keeps you warm.
It is my happy place and destresser, outside in nature with a unique perspective into the wild ways of wolves with fabulous people.
I volunteered a long time ago at what was then known as the Wolf Sanctuary. Marlin Perkins and his wife Carol were still alive and Carol had a group of women called Friends of the Wolf Sanctuary. Back then there was a Director to oversee the care of the wolves, Mexican gray, Red and Iranian wolves. Everyone was a volunteer then whether as a docent, fundraiser or animal care. The Friends (of Carol) were involved in setting up the Gift Shop which I ended up managing before some responsibilities were taken over by paid staff. As the Wolf Sanctuary grew financially and making an impact in the conservation world involved in saving the wolves, the staff increased and everything was more organized. I have fond memories of volunteering and meeting new friends. I am proud of what the Wolf Sanctuary, now known as the Endangered Wolf Center, has accomplished and grateful to have been a part of it. My husband and I both tried to make a difference in saving the wolves and do as much as we could to the best of our abilities.
I was an animal care volunteer at the Endangered Wolf Center during my internship at World Bird Sanctuary. I intend to return to St. Louis County for an internship at the Wolf Center.
The staff and volunteers are passionate about the conservation and the well-being of all the animals they care for. They do a lot to educate the public about the importance of threatened canid species, and I couldn’t encourage this place more wholeheartedly to anyone who wants to visit or work here.
If you visit World Bird Sanctuary, you may consider also visiting the Endangered Wolf Center — or you can go to St. Louis County and visit both great establishments back-to-back. They’re both within nine miles of each other.
I had the wonderful opportunity of interning here this summer for three months. It was an amazing experience and I learned so much! The animals are so cool and the staff are all so nice! I have definitely expanded my knowledge through my time at the wolf center. I was able to collaborate with the staff and discover more about the world of conservation. I highly recommend touring the facilities as well as there’s always something to learn here!
The Endangered Wolf Center is a truly amazing nonprofit. The mission not only helps save wolves and other canids, it also helps to protect and preserve the environment by releasing wolves where they belong. The animal care people and other staff are kind, caring and dedicated. It is an honor to be involved with the Endangered Wolf Center.
Since the late 1970’s, the Wild Canid Survival and Research Center, aka the Endangered Wolf Center, has been in the vanguard of wild canid species survival, particularly that of highly endangered, native North American wolves, such as the Red Wolf, and the Mexican Gray Wolf . They have done groundbreaking work in carefully managed breeding programs, as well as studies of behavior, habitat, genetics, which have laid paths of greater success in the reintroduction of individuals to the wild, and the repopulation of species in former, and rightful, native environments. The Endangered Wolf Center has been unflagging in its work, despite periods of economic downturn, and even natural disasters. A vital key to their success has been to not only employ brilliant professionals in the conservation realm, but to also enlist a veritable army of truly dedicated volunteers.
I have been a part of the organization for almost 10 years and the staff is exceptional in the care for the Canids and other animals. I enjoy volunteering to bring the awareness to the public about endangered species.
As a visitor, behavioral monitoring intern, and volunteer, I have spent a lot of time here over the past couple of years, and the Endangered Wolf Center is a truly special place. The animals living there are extraordinary, the staff are deeply caring and dedicated (not to mention skilled and knowledgeable), and the work done for wolf conservation is incredibly impactful. Without them, the Mexican gray wolf would no longer exist in the wild, a powerful testament to the importance of this center. You can pay for a tour to see the facilities where this amazing work is achieved, or you can volunteer your time to help lead tours or accomplish tasks around the center. Without visitors and volunteers, nonprofits like this don't function, and I can tell you as a volunteer myself, it is very rewarding and you won't be disappointed by being a part of a place like this!
The Endangered Wolf Center has dedicated staff who are committed to saving critically endangered wolves! They are helpful, pleasant, and all around great people.
My husband and I throughly enjoyed our visit during a “wolf howl”. The staff was extremely knowledgeable and super friendly. I just love the Painted dogs.
Been a volunteer at the EWC for over 20yrs. Great place to learn about endangered wolf's. Red and Mexican Grey. Also the center has MANED wolf's. SWIFT Foxes. Painted Dogs. Fenic Foxes. And how the center has returned wolf's back into the wild. And cross fostering wolf's.
This is a great place for families, especially with young children. It is great for anyone of any age who is into learning about wildlife. The EWC has an amazing history and has done/continues to do great work in species survival.
The Endangered Wolf Center has been called a “best-kept secret” in St. Louis, MO, which is part of the reason why I started volunteering for this non-profit. I wanted to help get the word out about the amazing work the Center is doing to save endangered species like the Mexican Gray Wolf and the American Red Wolf, educating the public about these and other wild canid species, including the Swift Fox, the African Painted Dog, and the Maned Wolf, and creating connections crucial to understanding and conservation. Like many non-profits, the EWC has been affected by Covid-19, with tours and events cancelled, including fundraisers crucial to the continued operation of the Center. Yet the important work continues, the animals need care and food, and the entire staff of the EWC remains positive and passionate about their mission. I can’t say enough about my experiences with the EWC - the health of our ecosystem and the future of our wild world depend on the existence of non-profits like this.
The Endangered Wolf Center in Eureka Missouri (near St. Louis) was founded by Marlin Perkins who is well known for his Wild Kingdom television series. He established the Center to preserve wolf species that were endangered. Initially focusing on Mexican Wolves, the Center expanded its operations to other wolves and other animal species.The Center functions much like a zoo, but with the added feature of reintroducing animals to the wild when that is feasible. The Center has adopted a technique of cross fostering pups born at the Center to wolf families in the wild. A 501(c)(3) charity with lots of volunteer opportunities. My whole family visits the Center and we happily provide financial assistance for the maintenance of a red wolf family that has seven pups.
A wonderful place full of amazing, kindhearted people, the Endangered Wolf Center is the only place I’m going during the pandemic. I have been volunteering at the EWC for a few years now, and the longer I’ve been here, the more amazing opportunities I receive. Volunteering at the endangered wolf center is educational: you learn so much from shadowing tours and events, maybe even enough to lead them yourself one day. It is breathtaking: you get to have amazing experiences with the animals at the center, even if you are not in animal care! I loved the experience of breeding observations, and I love getting to know and see all of the diverse and beautiful animals at the center.
The Endangered Wolf Center is doing extremely important work. It is helping to breed and maintain a healthy population of red wolves in captivity: the most endangered wolf in the world. And they do so much more! Please check out their website if you are interested. They are on the cutting edge of wolf breeding and conservation work, and everyone I’ve met loves these animals. Everyone shares a passion for nature, and we all care deeply for the future of the endangered species represented at the center.
The Endangered Wolf Center does incredible conservation work. I've attended numerous events, including their educational Speaker Series, Wolf Fest, and wolf howls. All of them have taught me a great deal about endangered species and what goes into conserving the animals and saving them from extinction. The staff is extremely passionate about their cause and their enthusiastic volunteers make the events and tours a lot of fun.
I brought my nieces and nephews to Wolf Fest and they left with a new love of wolves and the African painted dogs!
I have been a volunteer for a little over a year and I’m always impressed by how much they are able to do both for the animals in their care and for visitors that come to see them. The education staff puts in tons of work teaching everyone who visits or who attends any of their off site events on how they can help save these endangered species. And the high quality of animal care is very easy to see in the beautiful natural habitats. This is a must visit place for anyone who loves animals!
I have been a volunteer for many years and have personally seen the hard work and dedication that the individual staff members have poured into this exceptional organization to achieve their goals.
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I am always amazed at the passion and zeal that the staff approaches the challenges facing them both from the sheer work load and daunting misperceptions of the public; but they persevere. As a volunteer I can only share a small part of the burden they carry to perform their duties, but I am always reminded by the staff members of how it helps. The spirit of the work that all members have possessed since the inception of the Endangered Wolf Center keeps this a viable and relevant organization. Further, they enthuse those in the community to find this same devotion in themselves to reach for a cause that serves a greater purpose.
Until very recently my "role" would have been member of the general public, but my husband and I have been so impressed with the work done by the Endangered Wolf Center that we became volunteers at the center.
This wonderful center is devoted to the survival of and return to the wild of the various species of wolves, especially the Mexican Gray Wolf. Through their educational programs they help people to realize the importance of wolves to the ecosystem.
The center was founded by Marlin Perkins (long time host of Mutual of Obama's Wild Kingdom) and his wife Carol. The center is AS A accredited.
I have been Volunteering over past year. and have totally enjoyed working with the animals and staff and helping them maintaining the animals surroundings Great org. to be involved with, in helping preserve some of natures great assets. every one that's there, staff and vol. really care for the wolfs and animals that they are charged with preserving .
As a Docent for the Endangered Wolf Center, I am lucky to be able to give tours to introduce the public to our animals.
This past weekend I participated in our annual Wolf Fest. I was working in the VIP section where some additional rare animals were available for viewing. This photo is of Charlie, a 12 week old Mountain Lion, found in California, without his mother.
The center is wonderful about sharing it’s Mission and Passion for a healthy Earth with all who visit. Young minds are especially eager to learn our stories and were excited to see this baby and all his playful ways.
This organization is doing world class work. I am happy I am able to give some time and energy to support it’s efforts.
Sincerely
Lori S., Volunteer Docent
I have started volunteering for the EWC a few months ago. I am impressed with the wide variety of events that the Center hosts. The staff is very experienced and knowledgeable. It has become a must - see place in St. Louis.
I have interned at 3 different places and one was the Endangered Wolf Center. The staff here was the best I’ve seen and they do incredible work to help save our American red wolves. They are a sanctuary, not a zoo, so the animals seem to be very happy there and they are definitely well taken care of! Love this place and still volunteer there to this day!!
Before moving to Missouri I knew about the EWC. It was actually one of the many bonuses of relocating from the East coast. I strongly felt that by educating folks about natural predators and supporting a place where successful breeding of these beautiful, beneficial Canids was actually happening would bring me joy.
I was right but had no idea the impact. The volunteer base is diverse as they are inspirational. Animal care staff are unrelentingly devoted. I've painted fences, raked leaves, cut wood,...but nothing compares to the wonderful questions people have and the look on someones face when they spot one of the Red or Grey wolves in the enclosures. Assisting on tours has been amazing.
It's beautiful to see families, school and scout groups, birthday parties(where a child actually in lieu of gifts asked for guests to help support the EWC!!) become more aware of a part of our natural order that we are very close to loosing.
Been too many months since I've volunteered. Work and life started overwhelming me to exhaustion. Time to at least visit if my body can't physically help out...yet.
Thank you for inspiring me in a world filled with enough knowledge and technology to be able to do better though our human greed often deters us.
Hear a wolf howl and you know the sound of life.
Once I joined this amazing organisation and saw the desperate importance of preserving these wolves, I was inspired to pursue a degree in conservation. The Endangered Wolf Center is a place that provides you with an understanding of how you directly impact other creatures on this planet, and will bring you closer to the keystone species of the west. The staff and volunteers at the EWC are all great teachers and it is easy to tell how large their hearts are for these beautiful animals. Go check out the Mexican gray, red, and maned wolves at the Endangered Wolf Center! Swift foxes, African painted dogs, and Fennec foxes can also be found on a guided tour around the center. This center was built to breed these endangered wolves so they can be released into the wild.
This is a place where you can see humans working to help restore balance to nature by returning the alpha predator to the wild in the natural territory of the Mexican Wolf, the Southwest United States and northern Mexico. Once there were only seven Mexican wolves in the whole world. Now they roam free in Nevada and Arizona. Inspirational, motivational, and sensational, visit the EWC and pump up your heart and your will to help the world be a better place for ALL us critters.
The EWC has been largely responsible for the re-population and preservation of both the Eastern Red Wolf and the Mexican Gray Wolf. The facility is not designed for public entertainment, but is great for both the animals, and for educating the public. This is one of the often unknown jewels in the St Louis area. Please read about them online, schedule a tour and/or find out how to help support this fine organization.
The EWC has literally saved 2 species of Wolves from extinction. The staff and volunteers are passionate and hard working. The facility is quiet and peaceful and provides a great home for the Wolves but is also a great place for visitors as well. The tours are educational and interesting and the night time camp fire howls are a great experience especially during the autumn months. The staff and volunteers will dispel the age old myths and lies of how bad wolves are and will tell the truth on how wolves are shy and devoted to their families but also play a vital role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem.
The Endangered Wolf Center is a very special place with a critical mission (To preserve and protect Mexican wolves, red wolves and other wild canid species, with purpose and passion, through carefully managed breeding, reintroduction and inspiring education programs). From the moment you enter the gates and meet your first staff member or volunteer, you sense the passion of a community of individuals committed to dispelling the cultural myths perpetrated by "Little Red Riding Hood," "The Three PIgs" and the like. With programs for all ages, the Center invites all who visit to have fun, gather knowledge and join the pack!
Fabulous facility with excellent staff and volunteers! They are all dedicated to their mission, rare with many other organizations. I've watched them grow so much over the past 6 years and they truly are dedicated to their endangered species. It's always a pleasure to volunteer and also to be a guest.
I was an intern for the center as well as a volunteer on tours and this center is truly a wonderful place. All the staff is so knowledgeable about the work they do and they're so passionate as well. The work they do with the reintroduction programs is inspiring and has helped me personally by fueling my own passion for this field. It's a fantastic, welcoming place with a lot to offer whether you are looking for a job, a chance to volunteer, or simply looking to visit to learn more about some pretty amazing wildlife.
This center is focused equally on wolf/animal care and education to the public on wolves and other endangered canids, which are two crucial parts to ensuring survival of these unique and intelligent creatures. They are leaders in the world of Mexican and red wolf conservation and are armed with a vast amount of knowledge and support from their staff, volunteers, interns, and members. Their animal enclosures are truly impressive in that they attempt to mimic the natural environments in which these species occur. The Endangered Wolf Center is truly a great organization to be a part of and/or support.
This is a wonderful organization doing very important work. Wolves are an integral aspect of nature and America should be reminded it that constantly!
I came to the Endangered Wolf Center in December of 2002, my purpose was to learn more about the wolf so that I could help educate others on why they are an important species in our world and why it is so important to correct the wrongs that have been imposed on this animal.
What I found and have experienced was an organization that is so very passionate about saving wolves and other wild canids. The staff and animals have impacted my life in so many ways it is hard to put into words. The passion and commitment of the staff is second to none, the animals draw you in and the knowledge and passion of the volunteers leave you wanting to know how you can help.
I have participated in many tours, campfires, summer camps and other events and I am always re-energized by the responses of the visitors. Visitors leave the center with a great appreciation for the animals and their plight. Young campers come back year after year and fall in love with the animals, a junior volunteer program came out of the fact that young campers who had "aged" out of the summer camps wanted to keep coming. I have seen several of those young people go on to college to work in the conservation field and they all say it was because of their time at the center.
Participating in the breeding observations allowed me to gain insight to the pack life and see for myself what a wonderful animal the wolf is and the Endangered Wolf Center has proven throughout the last 43 years that their commitment and passion for wolves only continues to grow and they are striving to reach many more people and impact the survival of the majestic animal.
I encourage everyone I know to support the Endangered Wolf Center, I know I will.
Lisa Houska
Volunteer 2002
After retiredment I wanted to volunteer at an organization that makes a significant contribution that helps prevent the extinction of this magnificent and long misunderstood and persecuted species. I chose The Endangered Wolf Center. The dedication of the staff and volunteers leaves a sense of hope that these wonderful and highly adaptable animals will not be wiped off the face of the earth.
Besides their mission to preserve and protect Mexican gray wolves, red wolves and other wild canid species the center manages to debunk some of the myths and the aura of threat an fear that have been prevaent for so long about the wolf. The Center also helps foster a sense of reverence for all that is wild and beautiful.
Steve Johnson
This center is an incredible testament to how humankind can aid the endangered species of today's world. The St. Louis area is so fortunate to have the Endangered Wolf Center and it's very dedicated staff and Board! There is a difference being made everyday right in our backyard! No wonder it is a model for all of the other facilities around the country! I'm proud to be a part of this noble and important effort.
Laura Allers-Lowry
I am currently in my 3rd year as a volunteer, member and donor. I joined this organization to help Wolves that have been scorned and persecuted for no logical reason throughout the years. I often tell people that I have 2 jobs. I have my job that helps pay my mortgage, daughters tuition and utility bills, and I have my other job at the Endangered Wolf Center that belongs in my heart. Although, I am only a volunteer I consider my salary to be anytime I hear the Wolves howl. One of my favorite duties as a volunteer is hosting our night time camp fire howls. It is both an honor and a privilege to be able to speak to people about how Wolves really are and not how they are perceived in movies and story books. I love being a voice for the Wolves and I am grateful the staff at the EWC has the confidence in me to perform such an important task. It is an honor to be a volunteer and member at this legendary organization and I never have to remind myself as to why I give my time to this organization. The Wolves need this place and I am proud to be a small part of it.
As a volunteer at the Endangered Wolf Center, I am very impressed with the dedication and commitment shown by all the staff and volunteers towards the care of the endangered wolves
and other canids at the center.
The center's mission is to preserve and protect the animals as well as to release healthy wolves into the wild. In addition, we aim to educate visitors, via tours as well as other events such as campire howls, that wolves are not the vicious creatures that they are portrayed as in stories and legends.
It is an honor for me to be a volunteer for this organization.
I have volunteered at the Center for many years now and have constantly been bowled over by the amazing spirit of camaraderie that exists between the staff members and the volunteer base. With some organizations (maybe because their overriding goal is too amorphous or abstract) it's not always clear why people work or volunteer there--maybe they don't even know. That's not the case at the Center. With the Endangered Wolf Center, the goal is always the animals and it's inspiring to know that the work they've done (and I've done) may have helped to literally save multiple species of animals. It's the torch everyone carries at the Center. If we are meant to be stewards of the environment, the Endangered Wolf Center really has been the cornerstone of stewardship for the last 40+ years.