Bismarck Tribune

By RICHARD HINTBy RICHARD HINTON

Two 5-month-old gray wolf pups, the Dakota Zoo's latest acquisitions, will be viewable to the public this week.

Meet Fenris and Sirius, who arrived at the zoo bearing the names of mythological creatures.

"They are playful and great little characters," zoo director Terry Lincoln said of the pups. "We look forward to having them out on display for people to enjoy."

The pups, both males, will join the zoo's female gray wolf already on display by Thursday.

The adult wolf and the pups should blend well, Lincoln said.

"All adult wolves love pups. We don't anticipate any problems with them getting along," he added.

The pups came from a wolf park in Indiana that has been doing behavioral studies of wolves for 30 years.

The pups were free, but there were some strings, which included a pledge to care for them as well as to socialize them.

While the zoo's gray wolves are socialized to humans, the zoo also has two Mexican wolves, which are "hands off," Lincoln said.

The zoo will shift to winter hours starting Oct. 1. That's when it will be open from 1 to 5 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

(Reach reporter Richard Hinton at 250-8256 or richard.hinton-@;bismarcktri-bune.com.)