Alaska News

Wolf pups orphaned in wildfire will go to Minnesota Zoo

The five wolf pups rescued from a den near the front lines of the Kenai Peninsula wildfire have found a home in Minnesota, officials said Friday.

The Minnesota Zoo, located in a Minneapolis-St. Paul suburb, has offered to take the entire litter, according to a statement from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. The announcement comes three days after the pups were pulled from a den near a firebreak in the Funny River fire, dehydrated and pierced with porcupine quills.

Since Tuesday night, the pups, two males and three females, have been in the care of the Alaska Zoo in Anchorage. Each weighed about 2.5 pounds, a pound less than healthy weight.

Cyndi Gardner, acting permitting biologist with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, said in a statement that the Minnesota Zoo has a relationship with Alaska Zoo and has been "a good partner with us in past orphaned wildlife situations." The zoo will be receiving a permit to allow it to house the wolves permanently, officials said.

The statement said the the pups will remain at the Alaska Zoo until veterinarians have determined they are old enough and healthy enough for transport. The zoo and the Department of Fish and Game also agreed that the five should stay together, the statement said.

A spokeswoman for the Minnesota Zoo could not immediately be reached for comment.

Reach Devin Kelly at dkelly@adn.com.

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By DEVIN KELLY

dkelly@adn.com

Devin Kelly

Devin Kelly was an ADN staff reporter.

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