Extremely Rare Aardwolf Pups Born at West Michigan Park
Ever heard of an aardwolf before? I hadn't! I honestly thought it was a mythical creature, like the dire wolves from Game of Thrones or something... but nope!
Turns out aardwolves are very real, and they're also incredibly rare in the United States. That is what makes a recent announcement from a West Michigan wildlife park so exciting.
Rare Aardwolf Pups Born in West Michigan
Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park in Alto has welcomed three baby aardwolves! In a post to social media earlier this month, the zoo said,
It is exceedingly rare to have Aardwolves in the United States but it is almost unheard of to have baby Aardwolf pups born here and ladies and gentlemen...we are thrilled to announce we had 3 healthy, beautiful Aardwolf Pups born right here at Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park in Alto, Michigan!
Two of the pups are female and one is male. Got any good ideas for names? Boulder Ridge is taking suggestions!
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A Termite-Eating Hyena Most People Have Never Seen
So what actually is an aardwolf?
Well, despite the name, aardwolves aren't wolves at all! They're members of the hyena family, though they look much smaller and more slender than the spotted hyenas most people picture. Native to parts of eastern and southern Africa, aardwolves spend their nights hunting for termites, which make up nearly their entire diet.
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What Makes Aardwolves So Rare in Zoos
That specialized lifestyle is one reason they're so uncommon in zoos and animal parks. Unlike many animals that can adapt to a variety of foods and environments, aardwolves have very specific needs. It's estimated there are fewer than 30 aardwolves living in U.S. zoos and animal facilities. Baby aardwolves are even rarer, which makes what happened at Boulder Ridge all the more historic and remarkable!
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One of the few other recent aardwolf births happened at Nashville Zoo, which welcomed two baby aardwolves last fall. Just look at these adorable nuggets!
Baby Animal Days Returns This July
Speaking of baby animals, Boulder Ridge has a special day coming up to celebrate them!
Baby Animal Days runs July 9 through July 12, featuring several young animals from around the park, including some that will only be available to see during the event. You can take pictures with the little ones and even meet some up close at a special animal encounter station.
Regular admission prices apply, and members get in free with their membership.
What baby animals will you see? Well, animals at the Grand Rapids-area attraction are always changing, and the nearly 100-acre park is home to more than 1,300 animals representing around 180 species. Along with the new aardwolf pups, visitors may spot everything from giraffes, rhinos, and pygmy hippos to kangaroos, wallabies, prairie dogs, exotic birds, reptiles, and more.
You can check out the park's current animal collection and exhibits on its latest zoo map before your visit.
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