March 2011 CWWC Newsletter

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our resident ferrets They are the best of buddies whether they are snuggling up together in their hideouts or just running around the Visitor’s Center getting into everything they possibly can! Monroe is the newest member of our pack and a wonderful and playful addition! These two boys are the sweetest and much like our wolves, they love to give us little ferret kisses!

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Each month we will feature a different animal in danger of extinction (already on the ES list) or an animal that is scheduled for inclusion to the Endangered Species list.

We’ve set up a display table in the Visitor Center with information on the animal of the month and a donation jar.

At the end of each month, monies collected will be sent to a non-profit ambassador organization chosen by us.

April’s animal of the Month

Ferret Facts

Black-Footed Ferret

There are 3 ferret species in the world.

The black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) is the only native ferret in North America.

www.prairiewildlife.org

Black-footed ferrets are members of the Mustelidae family, which includes mink, weasels, badgers, wolverines, otters and domestic ferrets.

Black-footed ferrets are generally about 20-24 inches long, including a six inch long tail. They typically weigh between 1-2 pounds, and females are typically smaller than males.

Black-footed ferrets are obligate, or dependent, on prairie dogs for survival.

They hunt prairie dogs and live in their burrows, and occasionally eat other small rodents and rabbits.

Owls, hawks, eagles, coyotes, badgers, and bobcats are all predators of blackfooted ferrets.

Black-footed ferrets were thought to be extinct until a small population was discovered in Wyoming in 1981. The last 18 known wild black-footed ferrets were taken into captivity between 1985 and 1987 to start a captive breeding program.

Today, about 280 black-footed ferrets are housed in six captive breeding facilities throughout North America.

Since 1991 over 2,100 black-footed ferrets have been reintroduced into the wild at sites across the western United States, Mexico and Canada.

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FUN photos

Tala left her footprints and a great impression on our guests!

Na’vi and new friend

how massively large is Kekoa in comparison to these 3 people?

Do NOT wake the cat....

Volunteer Kim caught with her pants down Kenya wasn’t done napping yet.... and DID NOT want to get up!

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new summer tours

We are offering two new tours starting June 1 thru August 6, 2011 Feeding Fest Tour

Meet our resident animals during the feeding tour where YOU get to help feed the wolves and observe them when they are most active... feeding time! Learn about hunting, howling and hierarchy and communicate with the pack in a group howl!

Wolf Mythbusting

Debunking common myths about wolves

Myth: Wolves will destroy the ranching business by killing livestock Across the country, wolves account for less than 1% of livestock losses. More livestock are lost to other predators like coyotes and even stray dogs than to wolves. Far more are killed by disease, bad weather, birthing problems and other natural causes. Furthermore, Defenders has a successful track record of working with ranchers and other livestock producers to minimize wolf conflicts. Nonlethal methods such as using range riders, guard dogs, portable fencing, hazing and changing animal husbandry practices have all proven effective in help wolves and livestock coexist when appropriate proactive steps are taken.

FULL MOON

6 pm · Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday.

Reservations required! 719.687.9742 Adults $20 · Children 12 and under $10

TOUR

Howling Hike Nature Walk

Saturday · April 16th 7:00 - 8:00 pm

You will meet all of the resident animals along Chinook’s Nature Trail. Once at Chinook’s Memorial, you will hear the story of Chinook and Nikita, know as “The Lovers” who started it all! We will end the tour with a group howl!

Have your cameras ready for a meet and greet with one of our Ambassador Wolves after the tour!

Don’t forget to bring your cameras. (no lenses over 70mm).

6 pm only on Thursdays.

Reservations required! 719.687.9742 Make reservations early, space is limited!

Adults $25 · Children 12 and under $15

ADULTS: $20 KIDS: $10 (8 & up only)

Wear: warm clothes & good boots bring: camera & flashlight BONUS: Meet & greet one of our wolves after the tour Cocoa and coffee will be provided

CALL FOR RESERVATIONS 719-687-9742 · LIMITED SPACE

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Easter Earth Day Celebration Sunday, April 24, 2011 · Noon to 2:00 pm Adults $15 · Kids 12 and under $20 Take a tour and see our resident animals Participate in a group ‘Howl’ with our Wolf Pack Earth day activities Easter Egg Hunt (Find a Golden Egg - win a prize!)

Refreshements will be served!

Special meet and greet with one of our wolves!

Earth Day Kid Contest Create a project with the theme “Education, Conservation or Preservation.” It can be a poster, diorama, video, etc. The more creative the better!

Bring your project to the Colorado Wolf & Wildlife Center the day of the Easter Earth Day Celebration to be judged by staff.

The winner in the age group 10 years or older wins a photo with an Ambassador Wolf! The winner in the age group 9 years or under wins a plush toy wolf!

Please call to make reservations, these events fill up fast! RSVP: (719) 687-9742 www.wolfeducation.org

L I N K S become a fan of CWWC

For current wolf articles and to be a voice through knowledge

Natural Resources Defense Council www.nrdc.org

Defenders of Wildlife www.defendersofwildlife.org

Mexican Grey Wolves www.mexicanwolves.org

Project Coyote www.projectcoyote.org

Wild Earth Guardians www.wildearthguardians.org

www.aza.org

Common Pet Poisons Lurking in Your Garden The ASPCA wants to remind folks to take care when planning (or planting) their springtime gardens. Whether you’re blessed with balmy weather already or are patiently awaiting the first day of spring, please be mindful of the season’s toxic obstacles for our furry friends.

Last year, the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center fielded tens of thousands of calls related to pets who accidentally ingested or came in contact with garden-related products, including insecticides, weed killers and pet-toxic plants. Don’t let your furry beloved become a victim of your green thumb—read expert tips below.

• When designing and planting your green space, keep in mind that many popular outdoor plants—including sago palm, rhododendron and azalea—are toxic to cats and dogs, and may cause liver failure or heart problems.

• When walking your dog, take care to keep Fido off the grass and away from toxic lawn and garden products. Cocoa mulch—a by product of chocolate—is especially problematic because it attracts dogs with its sweet smell and can cause them gastrointestinal distress or more serious neurological problems if consumed in large quantities.

• Always store pesticides in inaccessible areas. The most dangerous forms of pesticides include snail bait with metaldehyde, fly bait with methomyl, insecticides with the ingredients disyston or disulfoton, mole or gopher bait with zinc phosphide, and most forms of rat poisons.

• Unattended garden tools may seem like no big deal, but rakes, tillers, hoes and trowels can be hazardous to pets and cause trauma to paws, noses or other parts of a curious pet’s body. Please leave all unused tools in a safe area, not haphazardly scattered on the ground.

Information presented on this newsletter is considered public information (unless otherwise noted) and may be distributed or copied. Use of appropriate byline/photo/image credit is requested. Some of the documents in this newsletter may contain live feed references (or pointers) to information created and maintained by other organizations. Please note that CWWC does not control and cannot guarantee the relevance, timeliness, or accuracy of these outside materials.

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