Share |
Print Article
Family Travel Files Ezine Family Vacations Resource
USA: United States Fish & Wildlife Service - "Howl"-O-Ween Fun Abounds on National Wildlife Refuges. It is dusk, the Saturday before Halloween. Dozens of adults and children stand on a gravel road, surrounded by the trees and wetland bogs of Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge in eastern North Carolina. They are silent; listening intently.  If they are lucky, they will hear it-the sound of a red wolf calling in the distance.

The howl is the sound from a bygone era when red wolves populated much of the southeastern United States. By 1980, red wolves were declared extinct in the wild, decimated due to intensive predator control programs and habitat loss.  Under a recovery plan developed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and partners, red wolves were bred in captivity and reintroduced in 1987 on Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge.  Today an estimated 100 to 130 wild wolves populate the refuge and five surrounding counties.
 
Waiting to hear wolf howls in the dark woods may seem spooky to some, but most peopleon the "Howling Safaris" are thrilled by the sound, says Kim Wheeler, executive director of the Red Wolf Coalition, an education and advocacy nonprofit organization that schedules and leads the tours on the refuge.  "People are just amazed," Wheeler says. "Red wolves are very rare to see in the wild.  To be able to stand there and have them answer in a
howl is very cool."

The safaris begin with a talk about the history of red wolves and the reintroduction effort.  Participants caravan in their cars over a gravel road to a site within the refuge, and Wheeler lets out a howl to provoke a red wolf response.  Later, children and then all the participants have a turn to let loose their own howls.

It's not every night that the wolves respond, but when they do, it's like tapping into their phone network. "When wolves howl, they're identified by their pack members," said Diane Hendry, outreach coordinator for the Red Wolf Recovery Program at Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge. "Their voices are just as different and identifiable as ours are to each other."

The Red Wolf Coalition offers the free "Howl-O-Ween" safari as well as safaris throughout the summer for $5 per person.  This year's Howl-O-Ween will convene at the refuge parking lot at 7:30 PM, Oct. 24. Need to Know: Reservations are required. (1(252) 796-5600 or www.redwolves.com)
 
The "Howl-O-Ween" safari is one of several Halloween events offered at national wildlife refuges across the country.  For those seeking a different take on the season, other national wildlife refuges offer fun and educational alternatives:

New York/New Jersey: Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge - Creatures of the Night. Visitors get to know the wild animals that come out after dark at "Nocturnal Creature Night," October 25, 5:30-8:30 p.m., at Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge, bordering New Jersey and New York. Refuge staff and volunteers dressed in costumes as nocturnal animals are stationed along a nature trail. Guided tour groups meet and learn about each animal - what they eat, who their predators are, why they look the way they do. And each animal character hands out a Howl-O-Ween treat reflective of its own diet. (The fox offers rat-shaped lollipops, and the moth caterpillar provides maple leaf candy, for example.)

The 24 costumes were created by Marie Springer, founding president of the nonprofit Friends of Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge. Springer launched Nocturnal Creature Night nine years ago, and she adds more animal costumes each year. "I try to make the costumes as realistic as possible so the people wearing the costumes can really teach about that creature," she says, explaining that the firefly costume's abdomen lights up and that the male and female moths have different antennae indicative of their genders. Need to Know: Reservations for the one-and-a-half-hour guided tours are required. (201-660-8880 or email friendsofwallkillrivernwr@yahoo.com)

Montana: Bitterroot Valley - Campfire Gathering. In Montana's Bitterroot Valley, families are invited to "Get Wild at Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge" on Oct. 31 at 5 p.m. at the Visitor Center. Participants will gather around a campfire to learn about the various nocturnal creatures that make their homes on the refuge, including owls and snakes. (1(406) 777-5552)

Massachusetts: Parker River National Wildlife Refuge - Bats and Spiders. Parker River National Wildlife Refuge in Newburyport, MA, offers a spider program for preschoolers and a bat program for children 6 to 9 years old. Both programs feature crafts and close-up looks at spiders or bat skeletons. The preschool program includes songs and games. "We try to dispel some of the myths about these animals and get people a little more comfortable with them," says Supervisory Park Ranger Kate Toniolo. (1(978) 465-5753 or www.fws.gov/northeast/parkerriver)
 
The National Wildlife Refuge System, encompassing 548 national wildlife refuges across 97 million acres, is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For more information about the Refuge System, go to www.fws.gov/refuges
 
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov
 
Content and images provided by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services. Copyright 2009. 
Share |
RELATED ARTICLES
US: Farm Stay Family Vacations with Mother Nature and Her Support Team.
Looking for an easy way to slowdown, disconnect and unplug. Consider this. Escape to rural America with your kids and create your own free range family fun.
USA: WinterTrails Celebrates Free Winter Family Fun - Learn a Snow Sport.
Winter Trails offers children and adults who are new to snow sports a chance to try snowshoeing and/or cross-country skiing FREE at venues throughout North America.
US: Santa Trains, Polar Express Adventures, and Magical Holiday Lights – Quick, Easy Family Fun.
Taking a break from the often hectic holiday season means finding fun in small doses and we have assembled our annual mini holiday adventures, Santa trains, and holiday lights for your review.
US: Mid Atlantic, Santa Trains and Holiday Lights - Create Your Own Family Traditions. sy Family Fun.
Looking for a terrific day trip to launch your holiday celebrations? Secure tickets and ride the rails with your kids. From New Jersey and Pennsylvania to Virginia and Maryland traditional “Santa Trains,” and miles of twinkling lights enhance the spirit of Christmas.
USA: Northeast, Santa Trains and Holiday Lights - Create Your Own Family Traditiions
Storybook travel is pure fun and during the winter months traditional “Santa Trains,” make enjoying Christmas even better. From New Hampshire and Vermont to Maine and New York pretend journeys to the North Pole are more fun than ever.

Read More Articles

FAMILY VACATION IDEAS
Massachusetts Farm Stays – Connect with the County Life.

Escape the city and share simple things with your kids. [Read More]
Montana Ranch Stay - Free Range Family Fun.

Bring the kids and enjoy life on a real working ranch. [Read More]
New Jersey Farm Stay – Connect with the County Life.

Escape the city and share simple things with your kids. [Read More]
New York Farm Stay - Connect with the County Life.

Escape the city and share a slower pace with your kids. [Read More]
North Carolina Farm Stay - Share Natural Adventures.

See what fun awaits your family. [Read More]
Best Western Westfield Inn

Kid Friendly, & Member of the Green Hotels Association. [Read More]
Best Western Morristown Inn

Family Friendly Hotel & Member of the Green Hotel Association. [Read More]
Bay Point Big Mountain/Whitefish Mountain

A Summer and Ski Resort. There is a reason we are called The Last Best Place. [Read More]
Brunswick Plantation & Golf Resort

Best spot to combine family beach time and golf. [Read More]
Hamilton Cay Rentals

Family beach vacation base on the Outer Banks. [Read More]
Marine Village Resort

We look forward to having you and your family as our guests. [Read More]
Mountain Creek Appalachian Resort

Relaxing is only half of what there is to do in Vernon. [Read More]
River Rock Lodge

Big Sky is a premier ski and summer resort in Montana. [Read More]
Rumbling Bald Resort

An ideal setting for reunions, weddings, and year-round golf. [Read More]
Peek n Peak Resort and Spa

Treat yourself to an unforgettable family vacation in Western New York. [Read More]
El Coronado Motor Inn

Where families and friends come together to enjoy the casual elegance of our beachfront resort. [Read More]
Glacier Raft Company

Raft the Flathead with your kids. [Read More]

Related Article Related Article

Glacier Raft Company

Wingate Inn Family Stays

Contact us and we will create a family vacation package to fit your interests. [Read More]
Rocking Horse Ranch

Enjoy an organized children's program, petting zoo, and a playground. [Read More]
Earth Shine Mountain Lodge

Come watch the earth and shine with your family. [Read More]

See More Family Vacation Ideas


Use of Travel Communications, Inc., websites constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Use.
Site designed and hosted by Tempest Technologies, LLC