Live Wolf Presentations Highlight Forest Preserve's Mammal Madness

Amow, a North American gray timber wolf, will be the star of the show during the Forest Preserve District of Will County’s Mammal Madness event on Saturday, March 1.

The free event will feature mammal-themed, family-friendly activities from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center in Channahon.

Amow belongs to Big Run Wolf Ranch, which will conduct two 45-minute live animal presentations at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

The wolf is 9 months old and weighs over 80 pounds. He was born in captivity at another wolf facility that was closing. Big Run Wolf Ranch in Lockport is a federally licensed non-profit educational facility specializing in North American wildlife.

Previous Mammal Madness events have featured smaller animals, including skunks, porcupines and opossums. Last year, a Canada lynx was part of the lineup. But this year’s wolf is an exciting first for Four Rivers, Gabriel said.

“Mammal Madness is a chance for visitors to come learn about all of these mammals in a fun and interactive way, while also exploring Four Rivers Environmental Education Center and the surrounding McKinley Woods preserve,” he said. “Whether it is seeing a wolf, touching a fur or balancing like a squirrel, everyone will have the chance to learn about some of our most recognizable animal ambassadors.”

Mammal-themed activities

In addition to the wolf presentations, visitors will be able to learn more about mammals from a naturalist while touching mammal furs and bones in a show-and-tell room. A craft room will feature a local artist providing mammal-themed face painting for kids.

Outside the building, attendees can participate in Mammalympics to test their abilities against other mammals and find out if they can jump as high as a fox or smell as well as a deer, for instance.
A self-guided mammal hike will lead visitors through the woods around Four Rivers while giving them the chance to spot some of our region’s mammals hiding in the trees.

The Forest Preserve District offers an annual Mammal Madness event to educate members of the public about the creatures we see around us every day, Gabriel said.

“From deer running through an open field, to a raccoon sneaking through a backyard at night, mammals are some of nature’s most easily recognizable ambassadors,” he said. “This event gives people the opportunity to learn about all of our regional mammals in a fun, hands-on way right in their own backyard.”