Rowan Wild at Dan Nicholas park

09/06/2024

It is with much sadness we share the passing of our female bear, known to many as Honey.

During a recent vet exam, it was found that Honey was in advanced stages of kidney failure. In the best interest for Honey, keeping her quality of life priority, staff along with the veterinarian team, made the tough decision to humanely euthanize her.

Honey first came to Rowan Wild in 2005 at the age of 2. She had a big personality, loved hard boiled eggs and walnuts, among others things. She especially loved destroying cardboard boxes that her caregivers offered for enrichment.
Honey has touched many lives during the 19 years at Rowan Wild. She will be dearly missed by many!

06/12/2024

Summer camps kick-off soon! ☀️🎉

If you are looking for a last minute activity for the kids, we still have limited spots available!

Register today at www.rowanwild.org/camps

05/13/2024

Summer camp registration opens tomorrow! For more information visit our website at https://rowancountync.gov/1628/Camps.

05/10/2024

It is with much sadness we share the news of the passing of our black bear Ruff.

Ruff first came to Dan Nicholas Park at the age of two, along with black bear Honey. Both have resided at the Eugene McCombs Black Bear Quarry habitat for the last 19 years.
On warm summer days, Ruff could often be seen bobbing for apples in the pool right alongside the visitor window. At other times you may find him snoozing in the shade or foraging for treats hidden throughout the habitat.

Recently, Ruff had been under the care and treatment of our attending vet team for a medical condition. Despite all treatment options, his overall condition continued to deteriorate. After discussions with the attending vet and with his quality of life in mind, he was humanely euthanized. Upon necropsy (animal autopsy) it was found he had a large inoperable mass in his chest cavity, that "absolutely nothing could have been done about this mass" stated the necropsy veterinarian.

Ruff has been an ambassador for wild black bears everywhere, offering guests an opportunity to observe and learn about this species in a safe manner. He has touched so many lives throughout the years and will be dearly missed by many, especially his caregivers.

03/16/2024

Spring reopening. See you soon!

11/20/2023

09/16/2023

Today marks the last day of Red Wolf Week! All of us here at Rowan Wild are so thankful and proud to be a part of the Red Wolf SAFE program and get to work with these amazing creatures. While our Red Wolf exhibit is currently vacant due to remodeling, we are hoping to have wolves back at the park in the near future! In the meantime, please enjoy these pictures of some of our past Red Wolf residents.

09/15/2023

In 2018, researchers discovered large amounts of Red Wolf genetic ancestry in canids living along the southwestern Louisiana and eastern Texas gulf coast. Following this discovery, researchers live trapped and radio-collared canids along the southwestern Louisiana coast to determine taxonomy of canid populations with comprehensive genetic, morphological, and ecological analyses. Studies continue today on this unique population of admixture canids.

15 wild Red Wolves are known to exist today with the estimated population of 27-29 and the Gulf Coast Canine Project brings new hope for the species by discovering these Gulf Coast canids that carry Red Wolf genetics, including unique alleles that were previously thought to be extinct in today’s Red Wolves.

09/14/2023

September 14, 2023 marks the 36th anniversary of the American Red Wolf’s re-establishment into the wilds of its native territory. The American Red Wolf SAFE program is an award winning, unique program that has been a model for many other species’ re-establishment including the gray wolf in Yellowstone.

Red Wolf biologists utilize unparalleled management practices in conservation efforts to save this apex predator including…sterilization of coyotes within the recovery area to prevent coyote gene introgression, fostering of captive pups into wild dens to help diversify genetics and increase the likelihood of success in the wild, digital road signs alerting motorists to drive carefully and watch for Red Wolves in the area (this has been successful in reducing some car strike fatalities) and Prey for the Pack, a habitat improvement program available to private landowners interested in and committed to improving wildlife habitats on their property while allowing the presence of Red Wolves on their private lands.

September 14, 1987 marked an historic day. A canid, the American Red Wolf, considered extinct in the wild, was re-established to its native territory. This had never been done before and has paved the way for many successes!

Learn more: https://www.fws.gov/project/red-wolf-recovery-program

Red Wolf Recovery Program Canis rufus Taxon: Mammal Range: Eastern North Carolina

09/13/2023

The Red Wolf habitat range once spanned from Pennsylvania to Florida and Texas. Now the American Red Wolf roams wild only in northeastern North Carolina. Their natural habitats, which include forests, wetlands, grasslands and prairies are threatened by human development and activity. Red Wolves, like all natural predators, balance ecosystems with their presence, creating a healthy environment. When our environment is healthy, we humans are healthy. By protecting natural habitats and supporting American Red Wolf education efforts, we are not only helping the American Red Wolf, we are helping ourselves and the health of our country. What would you do to protect your home? Let’s help Red Wolves protect theirs!

09/12/2023

Wolves are keystone species playing an incredibly important role in our ecosystem!

You’ve probably never considered some of the amazing things wolves do for us. Watch this very short video to learn more. Prepare to have your mind blown!

This is the story of how wolves changed the course of the rivers in Yellowstone National Park. It is a story that explains trophic cascades; that all life is...

09/11/2023

Have a howling good time with us as we kick off Red Wolf Week!

The American Red Wolf is the most endangered canid in the world. But there’s ✨HOPE✨!

Red Wolves have the incredible power to shape the landscape in a way that benefits plants, animals, and people. How? Their presence has a domino effect on their surroundings, leading to a balanced ecosystem. Wolves keep prey and game populations in check and healthy from disease, help increase bird populations by decreasing predator numbers that eat bird eggs, reduce riverbank erosion and overgrazing, and so much more.

Let’s help get the word out about this misunderstood underdog, which is a critical piece in saving them from extinction. It’s hard to save something you don’t know about, right? And we have a great tool to help you advocate for this national treasure. Champions for Wildlife and Red Wolf partners banded together to provide you with 🔥 redwolfgallery.org 🔥, an online tool where you can download free images and clips of Red Wolves, watch films, and discover fascinating stuff. So help us start American Red Wolf week off right by visiting the gallery and sharing your favorite photos and facts with everyone!

Thank you Woodlands Nature Station and Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area for this adorable video.

07/03/2023

It’s that time of year when many people find injured/orphaned animals. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission has a great resource to help you find a licensed wildlife rehabilitator near you!

https://ncwrc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=5573fbf159f04bfeb7fdb73700f335db

06/30/2023

What do you do to beat the heat 🥵?
Ruff the black bear 🐻 enjoys a frozen 🥶 treat of mixed berries and fruit juice!

04/29/2023

Oh no! You’ve found a baby bird on the ground, apparently alone and in distress. Its tiny chirps may pull at your heartstrings, but stopping and assessing the situation is essential. Here’s our guide on how and when to assist baby birds: https://bit.ly/3HdXnX0

03/31/2023

What are your plans for the kids this summer?
If they enjoy animals, nature and the great outdoors… sign them up for summer camp at Dan Nicholas Park.
Registration is available at rowanwild.org/camps

03/08/2023

Come enjoy the day at Dan Nicholas Park and visit the animals.
Rowan Wild areas reopen March 9, 2023!
Open daily, weather dependent.

02/02/2023

In honor of Groundhog Day… meet Felix the groundhog.
Felix is currently spending the winter indoors so unfortunately no weather 🌸 vs. ❄️ predictions this year. However he will be moving outdoors to his habitat in the spring!

01/20/2023

What better way to spend Spring Break, then with the awesome animals and staff at Rowan Wild!
Registration for our Spring Break camp…
March 13-17, 2023 is open now!
Head over to https://www.rowancountync.gov/1688/Camp-Registration before it fills up!

01/18/2023

Looking for something fun for your child during teacher workdays? Join us for Wild Days - single day camps, packed full of games, crafts and animals! Register today at https://www.rowancountync.gov/1688/Camp-Registration

12/03/2022

11/29/2022

Looking for something fun for the kids during winter break? Or maybe you need a little time to finish your shopping without the kids?

Join Rowan Wild at Dan Nicholas Park for our first ever Winter Day Camp. Register today at https://www.rowancountync.gov/1628/Camps

10/13/2022

Did you know Rowan Wild offers programs for not only school groups, but also Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, church groups, etc.?
You can find over 15 program offerings to choose from at www.rowanwild.org under Education.
Complete the request form to schedule your group!

10/12/2022

It is with much sadness we share the loss of Roxy raccoon.
Roxy came to Rowan Wild in 2006, from wildlife rehabilitation with a permanent disability that would not allow her to survive in the wild. She was approximately 17 yrs old, significantly older then her wild relatives.
Roxy will be missed by not only staff, but the many visitors who visited her throughout the years.