Embarking on a Road Trip: Close to Home leads us to a unique destination—a place to learn about wolves in the Hudson Valley. News 12's Nikita Ramos delves into how a visit to this site can contribute to advocating for endangered species that might be less intimidating than commonly believed.

In a world where the wild roam, we find ourselves in the not-so-distant vicinity of the Wolf Conservation Center in South Salem. This establishment is committed to fostering education, advocacy, research and the recovery of these endangered creatures.

"Wolves serve as key players in their ecosystems, often referred to as 'keystone species' or 'ecosystem engineers.' They play a pivotal role in maintaining the health of habitats and the environment," explains Sean Seary, of the Wolf Conservation Center.

Among the inhabitants are two ambassador wolves that challenge preconceptions about these creatures. Contrary to negative portrayals found in childhood fables, these ambassador wolves help reshape public attitudes and debunk stereotypes. They also offer insight into the daily lives of these animals.

"Compared to other wolves at the conservation center, the ambassador wolves exhibit unique behaviors. Addressing misconceptions about wolves and breaking down negative stereotypes is one of their key roles," says Seary.

The Conservation Center's faces are Nikai and Silas, both gray wolves, representing and vocalizing on behalf of their endangered counterparts.

The Wolf Conservation Center comprises a series of enclosures spanning up to two acres, accommodating over two-dozen wild wolves living among their family packs. However, their natural shyness means spotting one during a visit is a rare privilege.

"Our approach involves preparing these animals for potential reintroduction into the wild, which necessitates maintaining a distance from them," Seary explains.

The exploration of wolves extends to various year-round programs that shed light on the challenges and efforts involved in recovering these endangered species.

As if this experience wasn't distinctive enough, visitors have the extraordinary opportunity to sleep with wolves. From now until October, groups can reserve tents to spend a night close to the wild in this immersive road trip adventure.