One of the "Fresno Four," a red wolf mother and her three daughters were transferred to Wolf Haven from the Fresno Zoo in California. The four are on the public sanctuary route and are part of the Red Wolf Species Survival program.
It's snowing. This doesn't happen often in Western Washington, so Wolf Haven International rarely has photos of residents in the white stuff. Erik, one of the sanctuary's animal care staff, took these photos this past week. Pictured is Lexi, a female gray wolf who lived much of her life on an 8-foot drag chain at a tourist attraction in Alaska. She and her companion London share the first enclosure on the public visitor route at Wolf Haven International.
Gypsy (F907) is one of Wolf Haven International's matriarch wolves. She was born in 2004 at the Rio Grande Zoo in Albuquerque, New Mexico as part of the Mexican Wolf Species Survival Plan. Gypsy is 13 years old and shares an enclosure with Hodari (M1458) — at Wolf Haven International, located just north of Tenino.
This week’s snow in Western Washington made for some compelling images at Wolf Haven International.
Wolf Haven International is a nationally recognized sanctuary for captive-born and displaced wolves located just a few miles north of Tenino.
The sanctuary is just that — a safe, private place for wolves where their welfare is the highest priority.
“There is no question that all animals, both wild and domestic, ‘feel’ their lives,” states a press release from Wolf Haven. “They are unique, living, breathing beings with a full complement of emotions, so how we treat them matters greatly. A sanctuary provides a safe, lifetime home where its residents are free to express themselves and be appreciated for who and what they are. For those who have suffered at the hands of humans, a sanctuary helps to restore their sense of self — for that is the nature of a true sanctuary.”
Wolf Haven employees took the time during the recent snowfall to help their wolves enjoy their natural surroundings.
For those hoping to visit the sanctuary, it is closed now due to breeding season but opens up for guided visits Saturday, March 17. For information call 360-264-4695.
