Two Arctic wolves are set to become the latest additions to Harbin Polar Park.

The two wolves, which are being imported from Canada, are expected to arrive today, said Li Xiaolu, director of the public relations office of the park.

"These are the first two Arctic wolves to be formally introduced to the country," Li said.

They are male and female cubs, are 70 centimetres tall and weigh around 30 kilograms.

The Arctic wolf, also called polar wolf or white wolf, is listed as one of the most endangered wild animals in the world.

They are mainly distributed in forested areas within the arctic circle, for example the islands in the north of Canada.

"As the habitats are hard to access, few people have spotted a real one," Li said.

The wolves' new home will be 40-square-metres, with one concrete wall on the back and the other three walls made of 40-centimetre-thick toughened glass .

"Visitors can see all the wolves' activities without any obstacles; and the wolves could have intimate contact with people, at the distance of 40-centimetres of course," Li said.

The place is half water and half land, as the wolves like to swim sometimes, according to Li.

The Arctic wolves will neighbour two polar bears, which arrived last year.

The temperature will be kept around 7 to 15 C, which is said to be the most comfortable temperature for the wolves.

The park in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, has brought animals from both polar regions together.

"We mainly focus on endangered polar species and are willing to help those who want to research these animals," Li said.

Covering an area of more than 10,000 square metres, the park currently has two white whales, two polar bears, 14 penguins, four seal dogs, four sea lions as well as many types of fish.

(China Daily August 2, 2006)