Zoo Boise has taken in an 11-month-old female wolverine named Laura, making it one of only ten zoos in North America accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums that care for the species.
Laura arrived from ZooMontana and moved into a renovated habitat next to the zoo’s carousel. She became publicly viewable on January 21, 2026. Her name is a nod to the daughter of the Marvel character Wolverine.
One of the rarest animals in American zoos
Only about 30 wolverines take part in the AZA’s Wolverine Species Survival Plan, the breeding and management program that coordinates the species across accredited institutions. Ten zoos hold them. That makes Laura a genuinely uncommon animal to see, even for people who visit zoos often.
“Wolverines are iconic Idaho predators that few people have the chance to see up close,” said Boise Parks and Recreation Director Sara Arkle. “We’re thrilled to welcome Laura and introduce our community to a species that is powerful, elusive, and incredibly important to Idaho’s wild places.”
Her habitat was rebuilt with the species in mind. It has climbing structures, cold-weather features and room to roam and forage, which matters for an animal that covers long distances in the wild.
A predator built for winter
Wolverines (Gulo gulo) range across Canada and Alaska and hold on in remote mountain country in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming. They are famously hard to find, which is part of why so few people have seen one.
Their breeding is unusual. Most mammals give birth in spring or summer. Wolverines have their young in the depths of winter, usually February, in dens dug deep into snowbanks. The kits are born white, which hides them against the snow.
Zoo Director Gene Peacock tied Laura’s arrival to the zoo’s wider work. “Laura’s arrival is a milestone for Zoo Boise and a testament to our care and conservation focus,” he said. “She represents an opportunity for our community to learn about a unique and engaging species while giving back globally.”
Funded by the gate
A dollar from every Zoo Boise admission goes to wildlife protection in Idaho and abroad. Since the program began in 2007 it has generated more than $4 million, and it now supports a dozen field organizations. You can read more about how that fund works and where the money goes.
Zoo Boise is a division of Boise Parks and Recreation and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
