The famous wolf-watching ‘Lobo Park’ near Antequera
, in the province of Málaga, is something you must experience. If you are visiting the Antequera area then this is a must-do activity for all the family. The park was founded in 2002 by Daniel Weigend, a German conservationist with a special affinity for these majestic animals.
Daniel has personally reared many of the animals in the park − from wolves rescued from zoos to in some cases private homes – so he has a very special bond with them. He is the only person who can interact with these still wild animals, so much so that they now treat him as one of the pack. Daniel has to be very careful not to establish himself as a dominant pack member, so he is not attacked when spending time with the wolves. Instead he has integrated himself as a non-threatening pack member so as not to cause friction within the wolf pack.
When you visit Lobo Park you are taken on a guided tour of the facility by one of the highly trained volunteers, or if you are lucky by Daniel himself. You are shown around the wolf enclosures to learn about the different species, their habits and natural habitats. There is also a petting zoo, café and gift shop at the park, as well as horse riding if you book in advance. Special workshops and seminars take place on specific dates, as well as the extra special howl nights, which include a night-time visit to see the wolves, followed by a BBQ dinner.
Iberian wolf numbers had dwindled drastically during the past few decades, with numbers as low as an estimated 500 left in the wild not so very long ago. Happily today these numbers are closer to 3,000 due to the protection these beautiful creatures now have in addition to a better understanding of wolves. These animals are not to be feared as they had been in the past; they are an important part of the eco-system of Spain, and fascinating to behold in their natural habitat.
And, we have just learned, the oldest wolf in the park Ambar, has just turned 14 this week!