Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center J UNE 2016
Micah is putty for belly rubs
A very happy guest! One of our new Swift Fox kits
Thank you Samuel for your donation to the wolves and friends. (foxcoyote). We appreciate it and thank you for being a voice for the wolves. CWWC pack Dear Friends. You are welcome. I’m very happy to help you. My occupation in France, is also to help wolves, lynx and bears to survive, with an association POINT INFO LOUP LYNX. I’m the President. We help also the sheeps, with special guard dog, the Patous. Very friendly, Samuel | 2 | COLORADO WOLF AND WILDLIFE CENTER
Goodbye to a friend
M
ike said goodbye to his best friend yesterday. He was surrendered to CWWC 4 years ago where the previous owner could not take care of Fable anymore. Mike became his new dad and a relationship was built. Fable was an avid hiking partner and a great companion. Fable became ill on Thursday night with swelling of his abdomen and labored breathing. He was rushed to the emergency room late that evening where he was diagnosed with Hemangisaroma of the Heart. Hemangio refers to the blood vessels and sarcoma a type of aggressive,malignant cancer that arises from the connective tissues of the body, ahemangiosarcoma of the heart is a tumor that originates in the blood vessels that line the heart. This is the most common cardiac tumor seen in dogs. A hemangiosarcoma may originate in the heart, or it may have metastasized to the heart from another location in the body. It is most commonly reported in mid to large size breeds, such as boxers, German shepherds and golden retrievers, and in older dogs – six years and older. This tumor often will go undetected until complications arise. Because a hemangiosarcoma arises from the blood vessels, when it reaches an unsustainable size it will burst, often resulting in life threatening internal bleeding. Other typical symptoms relate to the size of the tumor interfering
with the heart’s ability to function. The pumping of blood into or out of the heart organ may be blocked or slowed, resulting in an irregular heart rhythm; the pericardial sac that surrounds the heart may become filled with blood due to burst vessels, or with fluid that places restrictive pressure on the heart; or there may be a responsive abdominal swelling that puts pressure on the heart and other organs. In addition, the blood loss may lead to a regenerative anemia, with concurrent symptoms that can confound the initial diagnosis. The next morning he had labored breathing again and was initally bleeding internally. The decision was made to have him put to eternal sleep and release him into the spirit world. Mike hed his head in his lap and he passed over the bridge. Dr Kristin and myself was there to help with this painful process. Our deep sympathy goes out to Mike and we wish warm wolf wishes that the pain will go away and be replaced with beautiful memories of such a noble friend With love, Darlene and the CWWC PACK
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R
NEWS FROM CENTER for BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
Conservation Groups Challenge Idaho Wolf-killing
Emergency Help Sought for Dwindling Red Wolves
USDA’s Wildlife Services Has Killed Hundreds of Idaho Wolves
ed wolves are in trouble. Since the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service abandoned efforts to recover these exceedingly rare animals, which today live only in North Carolina, their population has dropped by more than 50 percent in just two years. Now they’re down to as few as 45. That’s why the Center for Biological Diversity and allies filed an emergency petition recently calling on the agency to establish additional populations of
red wolves, take steps to reduce shooting deaths, and reclassify all reintroduced populations of red wolves as “essential” experimental populations so they get the protections they desperately need. “Red wolves face the very real possibility of vanishing forever,” said the Center’s Brett Hartl. “Sadly the Fish and Wildlife Service seems more concerned about appeasing a small minority of anti-wildlife extremists in
North Carolina than preventing the extinction of these wolves.” “Red wolves face the very real possibility of vanishing from the wild if they don’t get the help they need,” said Brett Hartl, endangered species policy director at the Center for Biological Diversity. “Sadly the Fish and Wildlife Service seems more concerned about appeasing a small minority of anti-wildlife extremists in North Carolina than preventing the extinction of these wolves.”
http://www.examiner.com/article/red-wolf-population-crashing-emergency-petition-filed-by-cbd
Single? THEN MINGLE!!
July 23rd · 6pm-8pm Come have fun and watch or participate in our live “Raffle for a Date” fundraiser. Then take an evening stroll through the wolf woods of our Center. $30 per person · 21+ only Date Raffle: $8 for 1 ticket, 3 for $20 Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center Reservations Required 719.687.9742
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BOISE, Idaho— Five conservation groups filed a lawsuit Diversity. “Recent research indicates the state may be overin federal court recently challenging the U.S. Department estimating wolf populations — something Wildlife Services of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services’ killing of gray wolves in must consider before killing more wolves.” Idaho. “It is long past time that we base wildlife management The agency killed at least 72 wolves in Idaho last year, decisions on the best available science, not on antiquated, using methods including foothold traps, wire snares that disproven anti-wolf rhetoric,” said Bethany Cotton, wildlife strangle wolves, and aerial gunning from helicopters. The program director for WildEarth Guardians. “Wildlife Seragency has used aerial gunning in central Idaho’s “Lolo vices needs to come out of the shadows, update its analyses zone” for several years in a row — using planes or helicop- and adopt practices in keeping with modern science and ters to run wolves to exhaustion before shooting them from values about the ethical treatment of animals.” the air, often leaving them wounded to die slow, painful The agency also kills wolves for the purported benefit of deaths. elk herds, including in The agency’s environthe Lolo zone. “Wildlife Service’s mental analysis from “The campaign waged wolf-killing program is senseless, 2011 is woefully outdated against the Lolo’s native due to changing circumwolves in the name of elk cruel, and impoverishes stances, including new is reprehensible. Science our wild country” recreational hunting and shows that the elk decline trapping that kills hunthere is due to long-term, dreds of wolves in Idaho each year, and significant changes natural-habitat changes, not impacts from wolves,” said in scientific understanding of wolves and ecosystem func- Gary Macfarlane of Friends of the Clearwater. “It is partictions. ularly galling that Wildlife Services is targeting wolves that Wildlife Services does most of its wolf-killing at the be- mostly live in Wildernesses or large roadless areas. These, hest of the livestock industry, following reports of live- especially, are places where wolves should be left alone.” stock depredation. For example, five wolves were killed “Wildlife Services, formerly called Animal Damage Conoutside of Hailey, Idaho in July 2015 for allegedly attack- trol, has been criticized for over fifty years by some of our ing sheep. Documents indicate that Wildlife Services has nation’s leading predator biologists. It has a long, docueven attempted to kill wolves in the newly-designated Boul- mented history of violating state and federal laws, and even der-White Clouds Wildernesses. But Wildlife Services does its own directives,” said Brooks Fahy, executive director of not consider whether livestock owners took common-sense Predator Defense. “Idahoans and the American public deprecautionary measures to avoid conflicts with wolves such serve a guarantee that federal programs like Wildlife Seras lambing indoors. vices are using the most up-to-date scientific information “Wildlife Service’s wolf-killing program is senseless, cru- available.” el, and impoverishes our wild country,” said Travis BrunThe five conservation organizations are asking the court er of Western Watersheds Project. “Killing wolves for pri- to order Wildlife Services to cease wolf-killing activities unvate livestock interests is wrong, especially on public lands, til it prepares an up-to-date environmental analysis of its where wildlife deserves to come first. In addition, new sci- wolf-killing program. The groups — Western Watersheds ence shows that it does not reduce conflicts long-term.” Project, the Center for Biological Diversity, Friends of the “Wildlife Services has never even bothered to consider Clearwater, WildEarth Guardians and Predator Defense — how much mortality a healthy wolf population can han- are represented by Advocates for the West and Western Wadle,” said Andrea Santarsiere of the Center for Biological tersheds Project attorneys. The Center for Biological Diversity is a national, nonprofit conservation organization with more than 1 million members and online activists dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places. COLORADO WOLF AND WILDLIFE CENTER | 5 |
Good morning! I had SUCH a great time on my wolf walk yesterday – and the photos are FANTASTIC. Thank you David! Attached is what my boyfriend “added in” when I sent him a copy –thought you might like it. Thanks again! Beverly - New York
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ARCTIC WOLF PUPS This week the Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center welcomed two new Arctic wolf pups to the sanctuary. They are two 5 weekold males from a breeder in Texas that breeds ambassador wolves. Ambassadors are wolves that are socialized for the use of the center’s educational outreach program to teach the public about wolves’ effect on the ecosystem, the history of wolves, and what’s happening to wolves today. Their names are Raksha and Isha and although they will both eventually become white, Isha was born white which is very rare. Raksha is named after the wolf in the movie “Jungle Book” and it means “protection” and Isha is and represents the wolf figure of the creator God. Guests are welcome to visit the pups if they make a reservation.
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Their forested homes are slashed and burned, their sources of prey made ever scarcer. The world’s last and lushest jungles - and the tigers they support - fading rapidly into memory.
AND ALL OF IT FOR SNACK FOOD. According to World Wildlife Fund, a rainforest area the size of three football fields is cleared every hour to make way for palm oil plantations. One of the world’s most widely used ingredients, palm oil can be found in nearly every household product from toothpaste and ice cream, to Oreos and shampoo. (Go ahead check out a few of your name brand cookies or soaps). It is this demand for palm oil that’s decimating the last rain forests of Indonesia and Malaysia. The final frontiers of the critically endangered Malayan and Sumatran tigers, 2 subspecies with less than 400 of their kind left in the wild. But despite the cost of the industry - the millions of forested acres charred for this product of convenience- little is being done by purchasing companies to ensure sustainable production of palm oil. When a forest is slashed and burned, not only are the wildlife robbed of their home, but poaching is made
easier as hunters gain access to dense patches of forest once isolated from human greed. And for the animals which survive the blaze, there is now less jungle and less canopy to hide within. The remaining tigers, as well as clouded leopards, orangutan and Asian elephants, imprisoned on patches of former wilderness, providing poachers easy pickings. Tigers fetch top dollar on the black market - their bones used in traditional Chinese medicine, their striped fur converted to rugs and wallets, and their head placed on the mantle as a trophy. As apex predators, tigers play a managing role in the ecosystem - maintaining healthy numbers of deer and other prey species, ensuring all animals can thrive. But when those prey are gone, having fled the flames or been burned in the chaos, the cats become desperate, and without wild game they are now more likely to turn to livestock for a meal. Inciting retaliation by
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scorned ranchers who - having now lost their livestock - poison the carcass to punish the tiger. The Rainforest Action Network works to combat this gruesome reality, investigating the companies deepest in bed with “conflict palm oil” i.e. oil which is obtained through illegal and invasive burning of rainforest. Comprising a list known as the “snack food 20,” RAN documents the top 20 international conglomerates - from Nabisco to Heinz - who still rely upon reckless palm oil producers. Proceeding to make the information available to the people, these companies are judged in the court of public opinion, leaving it up to consumers to make the choice between sustainable, tiger conscious palm oil or convenience.
Be it Sumatran or Malayan tigers, grizzly bear or Asian elephant, saving species ultimately comes down to our ability to save and preserve their home lands. As humans we have the freedom to change our lifestyle, enabling the survival of the tiger simply by refraining from buying Oreos until Nabisco pledges to use environmentally responsible palm oil. It’s as simple as cutting down on demand, forcing the supply to make the change. We must value the jungle and its inhabitants not for the profits their lives can provide us but rather for the very life such a lush and diverse ecosystem provides. Visit worldwildlife.org for more information
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Keep Pets Safe in the Heat How, where to cool animals down when temps soar The Humane Society of the United States The summer months can be uncomfortable—even dangerous— for pets and people. It’s difficult enough simply to cope with rising temperatures, let alone thick humidity, but things really get tough in areas that are hit with the double blow of intense heat and storm-caused power outages, sometimes with tragic results. We can help you keep your pets safe and cool this summer. Follow our tips for helping everyone in your family stay healthy and comfortable when the heat is on (and even if the power isn’t). Never leave your pets in a parked car Not even for a minute. Not even with the car running and air conditioner on. On a warm day, temperatures inside a vehicle can rise rapidly to dangerous levels. On an 85-degree day, for example, the temperature inside a car with the windows opened slightly can reach 102 degrees within 10 minutes. After 30 minutes, the temperature will reach 120 degrees. Your pet may suffer irreversible organ damage or die.
Watch the humidity “It’s important to remember that it’s not just the ambient temperature but also the humidity that can affect your pet,” says Dr. Barry Kellogg, VMD, of the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association. “Animals pant to evaporate moisture from their lungs, which takes heat away from their body. If the humidity is too high, they are unable to cool themselves, and their temperature will skyrocket to dangerous levels—very quickly.” Taking a dog’s temperature will quickly tell you if there is a serious problem. Dogs’ temperatures should not be allowed to get over 104 degrees. If your dog’s temperature does, follow the instructions for treating heat stroke. Limit exercise on hot days Take care when exercising your pet. Adjust intensity and duration of exercise in accordance with the temperature. On very hot days, limit exercise to early morning or evening hours, and be especially careful with pets with white-colored ears, who are more susceptible to skin cancer, and short-nosed pets, who typically have difficulty breathing. Asphalt gets very hot and can burn your pet’s paws, so walk your dog on the grass if possible. Always carry water with you to keep your dog from dehydrating.
Don’t rely on a fan Pets respond differently to heat than humans do. (Dogs, for instance, sweat primarily through their feet.) And fans don’t cool off pets as effectively as they do people. Provide ample shade and water Any time your pet is outside, make sure he or she has protection from heat and sun and plenty of fresh, cold water. In heat waves, add ice to water when possible. Tree shade and tarps are ideal because they don’t obstruct air flow. A doghouse does not provide relief from heat—in fact, it makes it worse. Cool your pet inside and out Whip up a batch of quick and easy DIY peanut butter popsicles for dogs. (You can use peanut butter or another favorite food.) And always provide water, whether your pets are inside or out with you. Keep your pet from overheating indoors or out with a cooling body wrap, vest, or mat (such as the Keep Cool Mat). Soak these products in cool water, and they’ll stay cool (but usually dry) for up to three days. If your dog doesn’t find baths stressful, see if she enjoys a cooling soak.
Watch for signs of heatstroke Extreme temperatures can cause heatstroke. Some signs of heatstroke are heavy panting, glazed eyes, a rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, excessive thirst, lethargy, fever, dizziness, lack of coordination, profuse salivation, vomiting, a deep red or purple tongue, seizure, and unconsciousness. Animals are at particular risk for heat stroke if they are very old, very young, overweight, not conditioned to prolonged exercise, or have heart or respiratory disease. Some breeds of dogs—like boxers, pugs, shih tzus, and other dogs and cats with short muzzles—will have a much harder time breathing in extreme heat. How to treat a pet suffering from heatstroke Move your pet into the shade or an air-conditioned area. Apply ice packs or cold towels to her head, neck, and chest or run cool (not cold) water over her. Let her drink small amounts of cool water or lick ice cubes. Take her directly to a veterinarian. Prepare for power outages Before a summer storm takes out the power in your home, create a disaster plan to keep your pets safe from heat stroke and other temperature-related trouble.
ADOPTION CORNER TCRAS
MAISY
ROCKY
3 year old female/spayed · Domestic medium hair/mix Are you looking for a beautiful, smart, loving cat? Please come in to visit with Maisy. She is an inside only cat.
This is lovable, smart Rocky. He would love to be your hiking, running partner. He came in as a stray. We have had him one year. He gets along best with female dogs. He is big and strong, perhaps 70 lbs. He would be best in an only dog family as he is food aggressive.
GEORGIE
MADDOX 5 year old male/neutered Doberman Pinscher/Australian Cattle Dog I came to TCRAS as a stray and no one came looking for me...but that is past. I am ready to start the rest of my story with a new forever home. I am a great boy. I love to play, go for walks, and cuddle with my people. I know my house manners. If you are looking for a new family member, please come meet me. I will be waiting.
SLVAWS
TCRAS Available from TCRAS Teller County Regional Animal Shelter tcrascolorado.com · 719.686.7707 NO-KILL shelter in Divide, Colorado
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SLVAWS
This is Georgie. He came in as a stray, about 10 weeks old. We don’t know how big he will be as an adult, perhaps 20 lbs. The first day we had him he could fetch over and over. High energy and lovable.
Available from San Luis Valley Animal Welfare Society slvaws.org · 719.587.woof (9663) · Non-Profit NO-KILL Shelter Monetary Donations Always Needed COLORADO WOLF AND WILDLIFE CENTER | 11 |
“Learn to love what grows naturally where you live” Several years ago I was given this great gardening advise. I spent several years living in Albuquerque where anything and everything would grow. All I had to do was plant it and it would thrive. Then I moved to the Denver metro area with heavy clay soil that was impossible to work in. It was sticky when wet and like concrete when dry. I moved to the Colorado mountains in 2006 near the Wolf Center. I quickly realized that virtually nothing that grows almost everywhere else will not survive at 8000-9000 feet. So I turned to what grows wild – native wildflowers, and drought tolerant high altitude plants. It makes my life easier because they’re less likely to be eaten by wildlife and to live through our hot dry summers and windy cold winters. They are beautiful year round, and a joy when they bloom.
Koda and dandelions
Here are a few pictures of wildflowers growing and blooming at the Wolf Center, including the gorgeous and much maligned dandelion. ENJOY! - Katie
Diane and Wakanda
COLORADO WOLF AND WILDLIFE CENTER