The Wildlife Science Center is an independent non-profit organization located 30 minutes north of the Twin Cities. WSC was established as a non-profit organization in 1991 after a 15-year history as a federally-funded wolf research center, the "Wolf Project." When the federal funds ended, some of the existing staff chose to assume financial responsibility for the 30+ wolves living here at the time.

Staff increased in number, and the diversity of the animal collection expanded to include black bears, raptors, bobcats, gray fox, red wolves, and Mexican gray wolves. After significant capital improvements, WSC opened its doors to the public for educational programs in 1994. Since then, WSC has seen its annual audience grow from several hundred to over 25,000.