Under the Moon's Gentle Glow, Hanau's Wolf Howl Could Fade Away
For years now, Hanau's Alte Fasanerie Wildlife Park has been host to a special tradition: the eerie, haunting howls of wolves echoing through the forest under a full moon. Known far and wide, these howling nights have been a staple attraction, drawing crowds of visitors each evening. However, this Monday's event (18:00) may mark the end of this enchanting ritual.
Marion Ebel, the park's dedicated biologist, has been tending to the park's two tundra wolves, Aslan and Monja, since they were just eight days old. She had a hand in teaching them how to howl and raising them, creating a strong bond between the animals and herself. But following the passing of their leader, Inuq, at the beginning of September, the dynamics of the pack have shifted dramatically.
Aslan has stepped up to leader his remnant pack, but Monja has yet to accept her new role. "During the previous howl on Halloween, Aslan howled, but Monja remained silent," Ebel revealed. "Hoping this time around, she'll join in with me. If Aslan starts howling, she usually follows suit."
Aslan has confidently filled in for Inuq, yet Monja's reluctance may put a temporary end to the park's popular howling events. If the Monday evening event fails to ignite their trademark howl, Ebel predicts this may indeed be the last of its kind. "We're down to two wolves now, so their appearances will become less frequent, and their voices are beginning to grow weaker as they age," she explained.
Aslan and Monja, both twelve and a half years old, have reached an age where most wolves in the wild would be nearing the end of their lives. Yet, Ebel has seen an extraordinary lifespan for her charged pair. "Tundra wolves in nature live on average for seven years," she confirmed.
Visitors flock to these wildlife park events, eager to witness the captivating performance of the wolves in their natural habitat. That said, these stunning creatures remain a dwindling population, with the loss of Inuq and the struggles of his successor Aslan to encourage Monja's participation in the howling sessions.
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Ebel also shares that wolves, like many animals, are more prone to howling during the full moon. While the exact causes are still not fully known, she mentions that the full moon can increase the wolves' activity levels, making their howls more audible.
Critics argue that allowing wildlife to be kept in captivity, even for educational purposes, can limit their natural behaviors and subject them to unnatural stress. Some rewilding advocates note that animals like wolves require vast spaces and complex social structures that can rarely be fully replicated in a wildlife park. Still, these facilities serve as aided sanctuaries for endangered species, on the path to their eventual reintroduction into the wild.
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At its core, the hanau Wildlife Park offers visitors a rare opportunity to connect with nature, an experience that transcends the divide between humans and animals. In this light, the wolves' performances provide a unique perspective, showcasing the delicate balance of life, the power of resilience, and the ever-evolving bonds within each species.
