About Us

Our Celeste Ruwwe Gift Shop is located at the Endangered Wolf Center in Eureka, Missouri, an internationally recognized leader in the conservation of wolves and other canids. The Center was founded in 1971 by Dr. Marlin Perkins, former Director of the St. Louis Zoo and longtime host of television's "Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom," and his wife Carol. The Center is the cornerstone of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service's wolf reintroduction program for both red wolves, once native to Missouri and Illinois, and Mexican wolves, one of the most endangered gray wolves in the world.  

The Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to saving canid species from extinction by educating people about their importance in the ecosystem and supporting their reintroduction into their native habitat through a combination of managed breeding, research and education.  In doing so, the Center is continuing the legacy of our founders Marlin and Carol Perkins.

Our Gift Shop sells products to support the Center and care for our five endangered canid species.  The Gift Shop is open during tours, programs and events. You are also welcome to visit the Gift Shop during our regular business hours, normally every day but Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Due to the variable nature of our business, be sure to call  636-938-5900 to confirm Gift Shop hours before visiting.