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INTERNATIONAL WOLF CENTER ANNOUNCES LINEUP OF LEARNING VACATIONS; YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMS OFFERED IN NORTH AMERICAN WOLF HOT SPOTS

September 6, 2005

ELY, Minn., September 6, 2005 - The International Wolf Center in Ely, Minn. has announced its schedule of Wolf Country Learning Adventures for the remainder of 2005 and all of 2006. The wolf-focused learning vacations are offered in wolf hot spots across North America including Northern Minnesota, Yellowstone National Park, Isle Royale National Park in Lake Superior and the Canadian Northwest Territories. New this year are the "Wolves of the Wild Wisconsin Canoe Trip," Sept. 6-10, 2006, and the "Wolves and Elk of Yellowstone, Sept. 29-Oct 3, 2006.

Designed for families and adults, the two- to six- day programs combine educational discovery, outdoor adventure, and comfortable accommodations in stunning natural settings. During the day, participants enjoy powerful wolf experiences such as hiking to an abandoned wolf den, observing wolves, howling expeditions and exploring wolf country while hiking, snow shoeing, canoeing or dogsledding. With the exception of backcountry programs involving camping, programs include overnight accommodations in nearby lodges.

"Our primary purpose is to share as much information as possible about North America's wolf population so participants gain an understanding - and hopefully, a passion - for advancing the survival of these incredible animals," said Dr. L. David Mech, founder of the International Wolf Center and one of the world's foremost wolf biologists.

For a complete listing of programs, visit www.wolf.org. Prices quoted are for non-members. Members of the International Wolf Center receive a $25 discount on all programs. Participants must be 16 years old to join adult programs, and children must be five years old to participate in the family programs.

To register for any of the Center's programs, visit the Web site or call 1-800-ELY-WOLF (1-800-359-9653), ext. 25 during the week.

Most Ely, Minn.-based programs include lakeside lodging and all meals. Ely is considered the heart of Minnesota wolf country and is a gateway community to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness of the Superior National Forest.

Examples of International Wolf Center programs include:

• -"Wolf Family Rendezvous," (July 22-25 and Oct. 19-22, 2006; $295 for adults and $250 for children). This three-night program is based at the International Wolf Center and includes family-friendly activities such as a wolf-howling expedition, wolf track-casting, hiking, a campfire and observation of the International Wolf Center's ambassador wolf pack. The price includes accommodations at local lodges and all meals.
• -"Wolves, Eagles and Bears, Oh My!," (May 12-14 and Sept. 15-17, 2006; $295). Participants in this two-night program at the International Wolf Center learn about wolf communication and radio telemetry, observe wild eagles and bears and watch a wolf feeding demonstration. The rate includes accommodations at the Timber Trail Lodge and all meals.
• -"Wolves and Elk of Yellowstone," (Sept. 29 through Oct. 3, 2006; $995). New this year, this four-night program includes lodging at Yellowstone's Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel; breakfasts, lunches and one dinner; and expert instruction. Participants use spotting scopes to observe elk and wolves at various times of the day and learn about the dramatic displays of mating elk.
• -"Wolves of the Wild Wisconsin Canoe Trip," (Sept. 6-10, 2006; $525). Also new this year, this four-night program includes a canoe trip to observe established wolf territory along the scenic Namekagon River. In the company of an expert guide, participants listen for wolf howling and learn to spot wolf sign. Paddling guides from Wilderness Inquiry provide canoe paddling instruction. The fee includes tents and other camping gear and all meals.
• -"Isle Royale Revealed," (July 28 through Aug. 3, 2006; $995). A true unspoiled wilderness area, Isle Royale National Park in Northern Michigan is accessible only by boat or float plane. In partnership with Wilderness Inquiry, this program includes ferry transportation to this Lake Superior island where the wolf and moose populations have been studied for several decades. Participants set up camp at lakeside campsites and explore the island on foot and by sea kayak to look for signs of moose and wolves, listen for howling and learn about the behavior and habitat of the park's famous wolf population. The fee includes round-trip ferry transportation, tents and camping gear, all meals, park entrance fee and campsite fees.
• -"Wolves and Wilderness by Dogsled," (Feb. 4-8, 2006; $595). Participants on this adventure mush a dogsled team in Northern Minnesota's Superior National Forest and explore the area by snowshoe. The group will learn about dogsledding, history, wolf howling, radio telemetry and wolf ecology. This trip includes lakeside lodging, meals and one and a half days of dogsledding.

The International Wolf Center also offers a variety of in-depth wolf seminars - most available for course credit - and custom programs designed for educators, youth groups and other groups interested in learning about wolf ecology.

Founded in 1985, the International Wolf Center is a nonprofit educational organization that advances the survival of wolf populations around the world by teaching about wolves, their relationship to wild lands and their role in their future. The Center pursues this mission through educational initiatives that include a membership program, learning adventures, an interpretive center in Northern Minnesota, international conferences, youth outreach programs, teacher education resources and workshops, a quarterly magazine and a Web site, www.wolf.org.