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Deep Snow Fun for Wolves But Not for the Roof

February 25, 2009

Snow loading on the roof at the International Wolf Center in Ely is suspected to have caused damage to the roof over the Wolves and Humans exhibit and possibly other areas on the northwest end of the building. "Fortunately, the area was already closed to the public for a state-funded $350,000 lobby reconstruction project. Exhibit materials, including plexiglass walls, were in the process of being removed to another location." noted Mary Ortiz, Executive Director. "Our entrance and Wolf Den Store are open for visitors at the southeast end of the building at the employee entrance."

Structural damage was discovered around February 5 during demolition work associated with the renovation project. The building is owned by the state and managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). DNR staff were notified of the problems, and a call for an emergency structural analysis and snow removal were made immediately.

Some of the snow had to be shoveled from the roof into the wolf enclosure behind the building. Staff then moved the snow away from the roof into a long mound, which the resident pack of four wolves found to be a fine hilly place for digging and resting.

DNR staff indicated they would immediately pursue hiring a structural engineer to produce construction documents for the roof fix. Preliminary analysis suggests several possible solutions. Center board member and architect Paul Anderson is working with the DNR to assist in architectural direction.

It is difficult to determine a timeline for this work but completion is likely in May or June this year, Ortiz said.

"It is possible the damage may have begun after heavy snows late winter in 2008 and become more pronounced when we received two to three feet of snow this winter," said Ortiz. "Ely staff has been dealing with the situation professionally and effectively. We are safely receiving visitors at the Center and will welcome them to programs, wolf viewing and the relocated Wolf Den store, throughout construction."

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ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL WOLF CENTER- The International Wolf Center, founded in 1985, is known worldwide as the nation's premier source for wolf education. The mission of the Center is to advance the survival of wolf populations by teaching about the wolf's life, its relationship to wildlands and the human role in its future. The Center educates through its Web site, www.wolf.org, its ambassador wolves, museum exhibits, on-site adventure and outreach programs and International Wolf magazine. Its flagship educational facility in Ely, MN, 1396 Highway 169, Ely, MN 55731. (Phone: 218-365-4695) is the future home for the new pups. The Center's administrative and outreach offices are at 3410 Winnetka Ave North, Minneapolis, MN 55427.