Situated in Salangsdalen, Norway’s Troms county, Polar Park has a diverse population of wild animals, including foxes, reindeer, wolverines, wolves, lynx, elk, musk, and bears. But the most popular attraction is the Wolf Camp, a facility set up with the goal of ensuring a better life for wolves in captivity. It also provides visitors with the unique opportunity up-close and personal with the beautiful creatures.

So how is it that these ferocious wolves are able to accept human company with such ease? Well, it turns out that in the wild, wolves are actually afraid of humans – so they lash out under stress. But the animals at Polar Park were raised to enjoy the company of humans, so they feel calm around visitors. Known as the ‘Salangen wolf pack’, these are the first wolves in Norway that is socialized with humans. That means they actually enjoy our presence as part of their environment and will even come up to visitors to cuddle with them a or lick their faces.

Photo: Visit Norway

According to tourism website Visit Norway, “You will be inside the enclosure for an hour together with the wolves. The wolf staff will be with you the whole time and will tell you all you want to know about the wolves, while you and the wolves are getting to know each other.” The park also organises Howl Nights, special events where visitors can spend the night in the wolves’ enclosure and observe them as they howl at the moon.

Photo: Visit Norway

The site adds that entry is allowed only to those above 15 years of age and willing to follow instructions. The rules state that visitors mustn’t approach the wolves first, but allow the animals to come to them out of curiosity. Sudden, threatening movements are also discouraged, because this could startle them into reacting defensively. It’s best to remain calm, confident, and relaxed, because wolves have the ability to sense fear.

Photo: Visit Norway

You should also never threaten a wild wolf, not even a socialized one, and if you happen to make a mistake, like stepping on one of the wolves’ paws, try to divert their attention and don’t react to it, or they might react too…

Photo: Polar Park Norway.Facebook

Seeing these wolves acting so friendly around humans reminded me of the Selekh family, in Belarus, who adopted a whole family of wild wolves and raised them as pets.