'Sleeping with Wolves': Northern Ont. resort looks to create one of a kind wildlife experience

For people who enjoy wildlife, there is a new experience coming to a northern Ontario resort that allows visitors to get up close and personal with – or even sleep with wolves.

A grey wolf is shown in a photo from Shutterstock.com.

The 'wild' attraction is coming to Cedar Meadows Resort and Spa in Timmins, Ont.

The owner told CTV News that the resort is close to being ready for guests at its newest attraction and interest is growing “across the globe.”

A 10-acre wolf enclosure is ready to welcome its new tenants and the new attraction’s main draw – plus the chalets are nearly complete – at the 100-acre wildlife park that already hosts bison, deer and elk.

Cedar Meadows owner Richard Lafleur said all that’s left are the centrepieces that will make the highly anticipated ‘Sleeping with the Wolves’ experience ready to launch.

“We’re waiting for the glass bedroom,” said Lafleur.

“It’s on the way, actually, here. It’s supposed to be delivered on the 29th of this month and then installation goes on and, hopefully, we’ll be open within a month or so.”

Lafleur said the specialized bedroom will be encased in heated glass from top-to-bottom, with will melt ice and snow off the surface giving guests a constant unobstructed view of the night sky, the enclosure and yes a pack of wolves.

He added that he is aiming to make this stand out from other similar experiences.

There is currently a wildlife park in Quebec that is offering a similar experience, Parc Omega.

Richard Lafleur, owner of Cedar Meadows Resort and Spa in Timmins, Ont. stands in front of a new chalet that will be part of a new 'Sleeping with Wolves' attraction in October 2023. (Sergio Arangio/CTV News Northern Ontario)“We’re the first one in Canada and maybe in North America, as far as I’m concerned. I want to create the feeling like you’re going to be sleeping outdoors,” said Lafleur.

“This is something that will draw tourists from across the world.”

He said “interest is booming,” with a waitlist for a stay already in the hundreds and calls coming in from all over the world.

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Lafleur recently purchased a pack of wolves from a zoo in southern Ontario.

“They’re used to humans, but they still have that wild instinct,” he said.

“They’re creatures of habit, so we just have to create the same habit every day… and then get them used to the public.”

Lafleur said he will not disclose the zoo involved at this time but did say they have agreed to have their staff train local handlers and help get the wolves adjusted to their new home.

He said the wolf enclosure is actually a more natural space for the wolves.

Lafleur told CTV News that he hopes to have people be able to spend a northern night with the pack before Christmas.

Cedar Meadows Resort and Spa in November 2021. (File photo/Lydia Chubak/CTV News Northern Ontario)