Sharon Montgomery-Dupe
HUNTINGTON — A park attendant not only stumbled across baby wolves at the Two Rivers Wildlife Park, but witnessed some true animal instinct.
Jarrett Lewis said he puts out dishes of food for the female wolf Hera, as well as the male wolves Apollo and Zeus, every day.
“We give them dog food, with a piece of meat on top.”
He said the male wolves eat their meat and Hera’s meat, leaving her the dog food. However, after Hera recently gave birth to three pups, everything changed.
“Zeus — who is the father — picks up her dish in his mouth every morning and carries it in to her,” he said.
“It’s amazing to watch. He’s a good dad.”
The Victoria Day holiday is being celebrated this weekend, and park officials are inviting the public to come view the new park babies, enjoy park activities and see the major construction underway.
“Victoria Day weekend is always our busiest weekend of the year,” said Johnny Huntington, park manager.
“It must have something to do with it being spring.”
He said the wolves are catching attention.
“It’s probably safe to say it is the first time baby wolves have been born in Cape Breton as there are not any wolves here.”
Huntington said lLynx kittens were also recently born at the park.
“We never know when babies will be born — never know when we might have a white-tailed or red deer — there are often surprises.”
There is also a major estimated $200,000 construction project underway at the park through a partnership between Enterprise Cape Breton Corp. and a job creation partnership funded through the Canada Nova Scotia labour market development agency agreement, under the direction of Employment Nova Scotia.
“We are upgrading our existing closures but are also putting in new enclosures for animals coming in people haven’t seen at the park before, like the falcon, elks and swans,” Huntington said.
The construction includes expansions for some existing enclosures, including for the barred owl, horned owl, swans, red deer, red fox, Arctic fox and bald eagles.
“There is even a new pool, waterfall and slide going in for the otters. There is a lot going on here.”
A new waste-management system is also being put in for the public.
Huntington said the non-profit park will have to raise its share for the project and is hoping for the public’s help.
“The public can help by attending events we have, supporting our adopt-a-friend and trees for tomorrow fundraisers and our corporate cage sponsorship program.”
There are about 100 animals at the wildlife park and 50 species. The park begins seasonal hours of 10 a.m.-7 p.m. today . The fish pond is open, wildlife and nature trails, and hay rides will be going all weekend. The canteen is operating and reservations are already being taken for camping this weekend.