DIVIDE, Colo. — Divide’s newest mayor is settling into his seat.

Shunka, a wolf living at the Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center, won this year’s election. Saturday was his inauguration. He wasn’t able to attend due to prior commitments, but sent his campaign manager in his place.

The election is organized by the Teller County Regional Animal Shelter. Each mayor is elected to a two-year term.

This is the fourth election the organization has held, but the first time a wolf has won.

“We’ve had a wolf run almost every single election we’ve had, and the wolf always comes in second or third, so we are so excited that the wolf finally won first place and is our new mayor,” animal shelter executive director Mary Steinbeiser said.

Past mayors have included a three-legged cat and a three-legged dog. Each vote costs $1, and the money goes to help the shelter with their daily expenses.

This year, the shelter nearly tripled what they raised last election, bringing in more than $38,000.