FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: March 21, 2023
Contact: Doug Hotle
Phone: 217-843-0360
The Wolverine Returns to the Henson Robinson Zoo
The Springfield Parks District's Henson Robinson Zoo is excited to announce that the wolverine is once again a part of the zoo’s animal lineup!
Olive, a yearling Eurasian wolverine was born at the Alaska Zoo, and now calls the Henson Robinson Zoo her home. Olive is a part of an international conservation program focused on maintaining a genetically strong captive population as wolverine populations in the wild continue to decline.
Growing up to 45 pounds the wolverines are the largest of the Mustelid family that includes weasels, otters and badgers. They also have a reputation as fierce predators and are capable of taking down deer and elk as prey.
“They truly are remarkable animals”, says Doug Hotle, Henson Robinson Zoo Director. “In the wild, they are the apex predator, they fear nothing and will chase off wolves and even bears to steal their meals”.
Zoo officials say that Olive is settling in nicely and has been carefully exploring her new spacious enclosure.
“Wolverines are quite rare in zoos, and the Henson Robinson Zoo is one of maybe 6 zoos in the United States to exhibit them. Visitors to the zoo here in Springfield are certainly in for a rare treat as Olive joins the zoo. We had a wolverine on exhibit many years ago, and the public is always asking if and when we will bring them back? It is by far our most requested animal, so we listened and worked hard to bring these amazing animals back to Springfield as part of our continuing mission to improve and expand the Henson Robinson Zoo” said director Hotle.
The Henson Robinson Zoo will open for the season on April 1st with business hours from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. As part of the Springfield Parks District, the Henson Robinson Zoo provides our community with fun, knowledge and a unique recreational opportunity. If you would like to learn more about our parks and programming, please visit us at www.springfieldparks.org.
This exciting news would not be possible without the generous support of the following partners and sponsors: Park Board President and Trustees, Springfield Zoological Society, and Central Illinois Chapter of the American Association of Zoo Keepers
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For more information on this topic and any other Park District news related items, please visit the website at www.springfieldparks.org.
For further zoo information please contact: Doug Hotle/Zoo Director at 217-843-0360 or dhotle@springfieldparks.org