The Lakota Wolf Preserve in Columbia NJ, near the Delaware Water Gap, really fits our theme for this exhibit – a New Jersey hidden treasure that you will only find when you get off the main highways. Other than the safari at Six Flags Great Adventure, who knew these kinds of wild animals were in New Jersey?
I shot there this past winter, and found the wolves separated into packs in large fenced areas. The operators Dan and Pam Bacon along with Jim Stein have been committed to saving wolves and providing a safe place for them in New Jersey.
Wolves are actually native to New Jersey, although they are long gone from the area. The preserve is home to relocated Timber, Arctic, and Tundra wolves, as well as foxes and bobcats. 
Visiting the preserve is a bit surreal, as you travel through the forest to find the ever-vigilant wolves are awaiting your arrival. The pack misses nothing, as the eyes and ears are constantly alert for motion and sound. The guide explains the pack hierarchy and there are constant challenges and rebuttals by the leader. The challenger either backs down immediately or risks being killed, so the confrontations are short and violent.
Although these beautiful animals look very much like the loveable husky dogs in your neighborhood, the wolves are wild animals. They are socialized to be around humans, otherwise they would stay out of sight. That does not mean they are friendly, or that they will not bite or attack without warning. Another photographer I was with was not paying attention when one of the wolves got his snout under the chain link fence and bit the photographer’s foot. There were teeth marks on his heavy boot, had he been wearing sneakers the teeth would have left more than a scratch.
Visitors have two chain link fences between them and the wolves, photographers can pay $300 for access to the interior chain link fence, which has openings for unobstructed shooting. These access windows are large enough for a wolf to get his head through when open. Needless to say I used a long lens and kept aware of my surroundings. Still, I was often surprised to find a wolf closer than I expected.
This is an unforgettable day trip, and will remind you just how wild this state really is. Learn more at lakotawolf.com
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