Wildlife Sanctuary visitors get first look at wolf pups in Green Bay

GREEN BAY (WITI) -- The Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary in Green Bay welcomed some new additions to the park -- eight-week old gray wolf pups that will soon be on display!

The pups will be part of the familiar wolf exhibit. The last wolf in the original pack died in April.

Right now, they're being called wolf number 1, and wolf number 2.

"They're very curious right now. They're playing with their new toys. They're always exploring. One of them loves to come over by people. The other one, if she's sleeping, you leave her alone," Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary Curator of Animals Lori Bankson said.

The pups arrived from a Florida wolf sanctuary last week. Tim Dewane and his son Doug got a sneak-peek on Tuesday, May 7th.

"I'm excited to see some new pups. These guys are cute," Doug Dewane said.

"It's a wonderful addition. I'm looking forward to watching them grow up. This is awesome," Tim Dewane said.

The pups will replace the original pack. Four wolves were born here almost 20 years ago.

"For the past month, having that exhibit empty, since our last wolf Mowa-sa passed away, it's been a hole here at the wildlife sanctuary," Bankson said.

Updates are planned for the exhibit itself. Park officials say after 17 years, the area needs a little attention.

"Just re-set rocks, clean it up, get it ready so that it's a great viewing opportunity for our visitors," Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary Director Mike Reed said.

The pups and handlers will spend the next month getting adjusted.

"To be able to be a part of this, and help hand-raise these pups, and let them experience the sanctuary and see them be curious and excited, it's a once in a lifetime opportunity," Bankson said.

The next step is an upcoming online contest to name the pups.

"For the next three weeks they can enter names, so we're hoping early June we won't have to call them 1 and 2 anymore," Bankson said.

There will be a meet and greet Saturday at the Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary.