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Tenino-based sanctuary Wolf Haven International on Thursday, Feb. 6, announced the arrival of three new animals at the facility.
The sanctuary is now home to one new Mexican wolf named Sirius and two new wolfdogs, Ellie and Penn.
According to a news release from the sanctuary, Sirius was born in the wild in 2017 as part of a pack in New Mexico. A Mexican wolf recovery team captured and collared him as a pup with plans to monitor his movements. Less than two years later, Sirius sustained a severe injury to his front right leg that required amputation, according to the release.
After surgery, Sirius was transferred to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge where they realized he needed a place where he could live long-term away from human activity.
He was then relocated to Wolf Haven as a companion to a female Mexican wolf named Sedona already at the sanctuary. Trail cameras in the enclosure now share footage of shared meals and naps between the two wolves.
“It is not uncommon for three-legged wolves to thrive. Even in the wild, they are known to live long, fulfilling lives,” said Pamela Maciel Cabañas, Wolf Haven’s sanctuary director. “But we are amazed by Sirius’ strength and speed, especially when chasing ravens away from his food caches.”
Later the same week, Wolf Haven rescued the two wolf-dog hybrids, Ellie and Penn. It was the sanctuary’s first double rescue of wolfdogs.
Five-year-old Ellie was purchased as a pup by a backyard breeder despite the fact that her genetic tests show she is 90% wolf and just 10% domestic dog, according to Wolf Haven. As she matured, her behavior became unmanageable for her family, which surrendered her, the release stated. Ellie was going to a shelter where she could have been euthanized before a private animal rescue program stepped in and facilitated her transfer to Wolf Haven.
Ellie’s new companion wolfdog, Penn, 10 years old, was also purchased as a pet and then rescued after his previous owner died.
Wolf Haven stated that Penn was kept chained inside at all times. The Endless Pawsibilities organization helped facilitate Penn’s transfer to Wolf Haven.
After reaching Wolf Haven, the two wolfdogs received needed medical procedures at Evergreen Veterinary Hospital and were released one-by-one into their enclosures.
According to the news release, it was likely the first time Penn was able to touch grass and move beyond 3 feet in any direction.
After a period of acclimation, the two wolves met and are now inseparable, according to the team at Wolf Haven.
“Penn and Ellie’s energy is contagious, and their enthusiastic chases and vocalizations often inspire play for wolves and wolfdogs in neighboring enclosures,” the news release stated.
“Their dynamics have enriched not only each other's lives, but also those around them,” Animal Care Specialist Gelane Clements said in the release.
Nonprofit Wolf Haven’s mission has been “to conserve and protect wolves and their habitat” since its founding in 1982. It is the only wolf sanctuary in the world to be accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries. In 2024, the organization was also selected from over 200 GFAS-certified sanctuaries worldwide to receive the esteemed GFAS Outstanding Wildlife Sanctuary Award.
The sanctuary is located at 3111 Offut Lake Road, Tenino. Visits to the sanctuary are by advanced reservation only. Visits are $20 for adults, $15 for students, seniors and the military, and $8 for children 12 and under. The visits are structured for adults and older children and might not be suitable for children under the age of 5. Summer visiting hours are 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Winter hours are 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Wolf Haven is closed to the public in April and May.
Learn more at https://wolfhaven.org/sanctuary/visit.
Wolf Haven hosts its annual Wolves and Wine online auction to raise funds for the sanctuary and its rescues March 7-16, 2025. More information is available at https://wolfhaven.org/wolves-and-wine.
