The Best Places to See Wolves Around the World

26 September 2019

From Sibera to Wyoming, here's where you need to go to see these amazing beasts.

Wolves are pretty freaking amazing.

Emblems of wildness, solitude, ferocity, loyalty, and communion with the moon, the Canus lupus is a creature worth traveling to (try to) see at least once in your lifetime. They're also vital parts of ecosystems, keeping prey populations in check and just generally being their breathtaking selves.

In America, they were nearly wiped out as of 1974, but thanks to conservation efforts, their population has rebounded from lethally low levels. Still, they face tremendous threats today from hunters and national governments alike—and as of 2019 in America, the Trump Administration is threatening to take the wolves off the endangered species list, thus stripping them of their protected status. Subspecies of wolves also face extinction around the world.

To regrow and maintain their populations, wolves need a lot of help from sanctuaries and conservation groups. You can help ensure that these extraordinary creatures have a future by supporting places and parks that support wolves. Be sure to do your own research on the environmental responsibility of the organization you're traveling with—though do be sure to travel with an organization, lest you find yourself alone on a mountain, eye to eye with White Fang.

Himalayan/Tibetan wolves typically live in incredibly high altitudes. If you're willing to suffer from a lack of oxygen, you can see these wolves for yourself in India's Hemis National Park in Ladakh, India, which is located at the juncture between the Himalayas and Tibet. Though it's quite a trek to reach the animals, going to see them can help ensure that they remain protected, and you may also see snow leopards and other animals. Just be sure you have a reliable guide, because it's a treacherous trip.
Tibetan wolves are thought to be the closest wolf relatives to our domestic dogs, and some scientists believe that they're actually a separate species from the more common grey wolf.
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These rare and majestic creatures can be found (if you're lucky) lurking in Sweden's forests. They nearly went extinct in the 1970s, but now there are over 500 in the country, with most located in the Bergslagen Forest. For the best chance of seeing a wolf, book a stay in one of Sweden's eco-lodges or a tour with a company like Wild Sweden.
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These fluffy, sharp-toothed angels are sadly the most endangered wolf subspecies in the world. In 2014 it was believed that only 109 of them remained, due to extreme overhunting. One of the most important conversation ranches, Ted Turner's Ladder Ranch in Sierra County, faced closure in 2015. Luckily, the permits were renewed, though unfortunately due to the wolves' low chance of survival in the wild, this species might not last that long.
For what may be your last chance to see one of these wolves, you can visit Gila National Forest or Gila Forest in New Mexico, preferably with a guide. WolfHorse Outfitters is a Native American-run guide service specializing in horseback trips through New Mexico, and they offer custom eco-tours for people interested in learning about conservation and indigenous perspectives.
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Ethiopia's endemic wolves are also known as Simien foxes. Similar to coyotes in size and build, they exclusively exist in Ethiopia's isolated mountain ranges, with more than half being in the Bale Mountains. Listed as endangered by the UN, and with a population standing at just 400, these wolves are threatened by increasing human population, habitat degradation because of agriculture, and disease from wild dogs.
Unlike most other wolves, which tend to go for large, meaty prey, these wolves eat mostly rodents and resemble foxes more than grey wolves. If you want to see them, try out the Gaussa Community Lodge or the Harenna Forest in the Bale Mountains, where you can also find ancient coffee plants and even older trees. You can also check out these travel services for more information.
Fun fact: in 2016, the Korean company Sooam Biotech was reportedly attempting to try and clone the Ethiopian wolves to help conserve the species.
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Wolves are everywhere in Canada. Home to Timber Wolves, Eastern Wolves, Arctic Wolves, Northwestern Wolves, and more, wolves are everywhere—from the Rocky Mountains to the Yukon to Quebéc. The country is home to the world's largest wolf population, which is believed to be about 50,000.
For a particularly unique experience, try a camping trip to the landscapes of Nunavik, or try a tour of the Rocky Mountains and the Badlands for a rugged journey.
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Wolves in Russia are heavily threatened by hunters, but you can still find some of these rare birds in the frigid hills of Siberia. Check out Durminskoye Reserve's taiga forest to catch a glimpse of big cats and wolves, or if it's summer, check out Wrangel Island, a place where the wolf population is slowly starting to be replenished after decreasing for years.
There are four main types of wolves in Russia—Eurasian Wolves (a subset of grey wolves), Tundra Wolves, Caspian Sea Wolves, and Tibetan Wolves, and all are uniquely awe-inspiring in their own ways. Make sure you pack your vodka, because regardless, it's going to be chilly.
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The sprawling hills and pine forests of Romania are home to over 5,000 wolves. While not all of them will be as cheerful as the fellow pictured above, these guys have reason to be happier than most other wolves around the world, because they aren't facing immediate extinction. You've got a decent shot at seeing one if you travel to the forests of Transylvania or the Danube Delta, though they're in forests all across the nation.
Perhaps wolves have been more protected in this nation because of all the legends that surround them, as wolves hold an important and respected place in Romanian mythology. According to folklore, the apostle St. Andrew was said to be the "protector of wolves," and his feast day is often called the Day of the Wolves.
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Wyoming is home to a large wolf population, but tragically, recent years have seen the widespread annihilation of laws that protected the species from hunters. In 2017, it became legal to shoot a wolf on site in 85% of the state, and according to the Sierra Club, the state is waging a "war on wolves." You can still visit one of the state's few protected areas, the most famous being Yellowstone, to catch a glimpse of these creatures.
Wolves are found all over the USA, and check out World Wildlife Fund's list of recommended tours if you want to go searching for one, or this list of wolf refuges in the US.
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