Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center August 2015 newsletter

Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center

darlene &wiley

AUGUST 2015

COLORADO WOLF AND WILDLIFE CENTER

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Akela

Our Trip to Nicaragua May 8, 1999 – August 5, 2015

Mysteries of Life (In memory of Akela)

On August 5, 2015 the Center and I lost a princess. Her name was Akela, which means noble leader. She was all of that and so much more.

She was also a best friend and companion to Shunka.

Akela and her sister, Makah Behr, who recently passed away, were surrendered from Hollywood, CA. Both were 2 weeks old when I received them. I enjoyed her company for 16 years.

Akela had a favorite game that I called London Bridge. She loved to have her beautiful white thick arctic fur stroked like a Persian cat. She also loved to go between your legs around and around to be close to me. She was very tall so I remember that she would almost knock me over as she passed through my legs rubbing on my knees, making me off balance, as I had to be on tiptoes.

She was elegant, beautiful, kind, intelligent. She educated hundreds of thousands of visitors about Arctic wolves.

What a deep loss of the Center and for me. I cannot begin to put into words how sad I am. It is truly like losing a good friend that you knew as a child. I will forever miss her and everything she was. She will never be gone from my heart.

darlene

“Akela’s Mama”

On August 4th I was preparing to leave Colorado to fly to Central America to work with a spay and neuter clinic. Prior to this day I received an envelope in the mail addressed to me. I read the note. It was from a woman who said she hadn’t met me but loved our mission and the work that we do here at the Center. She also said that she was at an art fair and found a gift that “in a flash she knew it was for me.”

I opened the gift and it was a beautiful white wolf pendant with a turquoise teardrop set in silver. No one had ever done this before. I thought that the pendant was not only beautiful but lucky as well. So I put it on a chain to wear it on my trip to Nicaragua.

While we were on the plane getting ready to take off I received a call from the Center that Akela had passed away. I was shocked because the day before I was petting her and she was as active as a healthy 10-year-old wolf. She was 16.

I was shattered. After several hours later I was playing with my necklace to relieve my stress when it hit me.

The necklace was a white wolf. It was my Akela. I wear this necklace now with more purpose. It has so much meaning. I will cherish it forever.

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CWWC believes in trying to help all animals, both wild and domestic. So far we have helped animals in Puerto Rico, Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Many areas of these countries are poor and desperate as evidenced in the included photos.

CWWC and a wonderful organization named SASY (Stop Animal Suffering Yes!) teamed up to spay and neuter 18 dogs and cats. CWWC also sponsored 2 dogs and some cats in Nicaragua with SASY. They provide food twice a day, parasite meds and will have the dogs neutered when their health is better.

We also donated a stethoscope and medium dog muzzle to the veterinarian who worked with us.

This country is very poor and some vets struggle getting the basic supplies that they need.

Getting over the border was interesting. My suitcase was confiscated with all types of vet meds.

However, the reason they confiscated it was because of the collars and leashes packed in the suitcase.

They thought that we were possibly going to sell them on the black market. The collars were meant to get the chains off of the necks of the dogs. The leashes were to promote compassion rather than being chained for guard dog purposes.

We are happy to announce that we donated every collar and leash along with some that SASY donated.

At least 20 dogs now have had their chains removed from around their necks.

CWWC and SASY will continue to work together to make a difference in areas that are so desperate.

Educational flyers in Spanish on the importance of castration, nutrition and parasite control were also given out.

If any readers would like to help, flea and tick collars, Frontline or monetary donations would be EXTREMELY helpful.

The team in Nicaragua. The group SASY who does spay and neuter in both Costa Rica and Nicaragua.

A dog that had a terrible STD and in poor health unfortunately did not survive surgery

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After the loss of Shunkas love, we all have been taking him on walks to take his mind off of things.

Can you believe this?

Two moose came to the visitor center to say “hello” and then left. Amazing!!!!

Which wolf is this?

COLORADO WOLF AND WILDLIFE CENTER

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COLORADO WOLF AND WILDLIFE CENTER

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Full Moon Tours

Tour lasts approx.

1 hour. One Saturday night a month!

big or small, I can do it all!

Frontier Valley Elementary Group paid CWWC a visit late July. Here they watch one of our coyotes Akena come down for some snacks as they learn from our their tour guide Daniel the differences between wolves and coyotes and why they are both important to the ecosystem.

Full Moon Feeding Tours

Combines our FEEDING TOUR with our FULL MOON TOUR. The Friday before and Sunday after our regular Full Moon Tours.

Free snacks and beverages plus a traditional group wolf howl will be performed at the end of the tour.

Reservation required!

719.687.9742

Visit our website wolfeducation.org for more information, dates and times. All special events,full moon tours and full moon feeding tours are pre-pay.

My name is Alison K. From big to small, my partner Josh and I can do it all with love and responsibility wrapped into one!

I have experience with dogs of all sizes, ferrets, cats and horses. We live in an apartment so I may not have enough room for those much bigger breeds, but I am more than happy to dog sit over night at your home.

Fountain Creek runs right through our backyard, which water-dogs love for playtime! We are minutes from Garden of the Gods, Red Rock Open Space, Manitou Incline and Intemman Trails. If your dog loves to walk he/she will love to be on vacation with us!

Since I work and volunteer part time at a ranch with dogs of all breeds and other animals, I am familiar and sensitive to your pets needs. I also have access to on-call vets if ever needed.

If your dog is with us, you will receive photos of our time together and you can email or call me at any time to check on your loved one. I am insured and bonded.

Relax and know that your pet is safe and having a great time while you are away!

Alison 608.772.4249

UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS: OCTOBER 31st : Howl-O-Ween Event

PET sitter · walker · chauffeur · friend entertainer · confidant · personal assistant DAYS · NIGHTS · WEEKENDS · ANY TIME

NOVEMBER 26th : Thanksgiving Turkey Toss DECEMBER 20th : Winter Wonderland dogvacay.com/pro/alisonoasispetvacay.com COLORADO WOLF AND WILDLIFE CENTER

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Saturday, October 31st

4:00-6:00 pm

Join us as we pass out meat-filled pumpkins to all the wolves... + Bon Fire & Refreshments $30 adults · $15 children 12 & under Reservations Required!

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IN THE NEWS

Black Rhinoceros CONTINUED

are carved to make traditional hand daggers.

These factors are the main causes for decreases in Rhinoceros populations. All five species of rhinos are endangered, with three of them critically endangered. Black rhinoceros population numbers have dramatically declined from 65,000 in 1970 to only 2,500 in the mid 1990s. Protections have been ineffective because of poaching and habitat loss. The risk from poaching is so great that some rhinos are protected 24 hours a day by armed guards.

Efforts being made by environmental organi-

Costa Rica Is Shutting Down All Zoos And Freeing Every Animal In Captivity Costa Rica has announced that it will be the first country in the world to shut down its zoos and free the captive animals they hold. Costa Rica is an especially biodiverse country, holding about 4% of the world’s known species. Sadly, the country is contractually obligated to keep two of its zoos open for another decade. Still, after that, they plan to shut it down in favor of a cage-free habitat for the animals to live in.

Treehugger reports that the nation, which also recently banned hunting for sport, will close the last two zoos in the next 10 years and give the animals a more natural habitat in which to exist. They want to convey to the world that they respect and care for wild animals.

Environmental Minister René Castro says, “We

are getting rid of the cages and reinforcing the idea of interacting with biodiversity in botanical parks in a natural way. We don’t want animals in captivity or enclosed in any way unless it is to rescue or save them.”

Any animal currently in captivity that would not survive in the wild will be cared for in rescue centers and wildlife sanctuaries. No new zoos will be opened.

Conservation Corner males being extremely territoThe Black Rhinoceros is a critically endangered species that inrial using dung piles and urine to mark their territory. A black rhihabits wooded savannas in parts no may be called a hook-lipped of Africa. They are huge animals,

By Dominic Schwabe rhinoceros for having a pointed, weighing over a ton and around 10 feet in length. All rhinos have prehensile upper lip that is used an excellent sense of smell and hearing but to curl around twigs and draw them into the poor vision. The poor vision can cause a rhi- mouth. They also have a front horn around 4 no to perceive a figure as a threat or intruder feet in length comprised of keratin (tough proand charge. Although they are very large, they tein found in hair and nails). can run up to impressive speeds of 28mph and The horn of the black rhino is worth its weight make rapid changes in direction. Most of their in gold. In China it is powdered and used as day is spent in the shade or laying in the mud. medicine thought to cure a range of illnesses, Wallowing in the mud is cooling for the rhino Vietnamese buy the horn and consume it as a and helps protect it from flies and other biting sign of wealth, and in the Middle East horns insects. Black rhinos are mostly solitary, with CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

Black

rhinoceros

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zations such as WWF include better-equipped conservation law enforcement officers, more anti-poaching patrols, expanding protected areas, and new innovative transmitters to track rhino movements. Due to efforts like these, population levels have risen from 2,410 in 1995 to 4,880 in 2010. But, a lot more still needs to be done. Rhinoceros are extremely important to eco-tourism, they increase plant diversity by selectively grazing, and are virtually living fossils. We must do whatever is necessary to save this animal.

What In The World Is A Pangolin?

By Danielle LaRock, Staff at CWWC

Is it a reptile? Is it an Armadillo?

Neither! The Pangolin, nicknamed “the scaly anteater”, is actually a mammal, with large scales covering their entire bodies which are made up of keratin, like our hair! These animals also have no teeth; instead, they have a stomach that is especially adapted for grinding their food (mainly comprised of insects) and also consume small stones as well as sand to assist in grinding. They can weigh 2030lbs and live up to 20 years in the wild. These animals are native to parts of Asia and Africa and are listed as critically endangered as a direct result of being one of the most frequently found animals in illicit trade. Every year, tens of thousands of elephants, rhinos and tigers are slaughtered to meet the growing demands of illegal wildlife trade, but little attention is paid to the Pangolin which also suffers from poaching. In 2011, between 40,000 and 60,000 were traded in Vietnam alone! Their meat is considered a great delicacy, and many believe their scales can cure various diseases. Over the years, poaching and habitat loss have deci-

mated their numbers, and they have become so rare they can fetch up to $1,000 a piece on the black market. Experts warn that the disappearance of these animals will alter the ecosystem of tropical forests due to the rise in numbers of ants and termites. As with other species such as the elephant and tiger, there are laws and penalties in place to discourage trafficking, but many are too feeble to make a real difference. Unfortunately, the Pangolin’s low-profile does not attract much attention from the public.

COLORADO WOLF AND WILDLIFE CENTER

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adopt US from

A fall stroll

SLV Animal Welfare Society slvaws.org · 719.587.woof (9663)

through the Center

Non-Profit Shelter Monetary Donations Always Needed

2 year old Female/Spayed Brown/White Terrier, Pit Bull/Mix Hi, I’m Baby. I’m a very special pup. Before I came to the shelter, my past life was PITful, so with the help of TCRAS we are looking for a DOG GONE GOOD future with a loving home. Some men make me nervous because I’m still trying to trust again.

My future looks bright, though and I hope to get my own home very soon. Maybe you could be my new family?

2 year old Female Domestic Shorthair/Mix Hello, people. I’m Brady, a great kitty looking for a great home. I am a gentle girl looking for a family to love me. I am so ready for a place to call my own and settle into. I enjoy taking naps with a fuzzy blanket in the sun and I enjoy gentle petting from people here and people that come to visit. Anyways, would you mind opening up your heart and home to me? I think your home needs a kitty exactly like me.

This is Sam getting in a few licks for bacon. Sam is 2 years old, stray. He loves people & loves to play. Runs all day in the dog park. Great as an only pet. About 50 lbs, “Stretch,” long & low. 4 month old Westie mix, neutered male.

adopt US from TCRAS

Katie is identifying many of our flora & fauna in our gardens. Many guests will appreciate learning about a particular plant or flower as well as knowing what thrives at 9,000 feet.

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the no-kill shelter in Divide, CO 719.686.7707 tcrascolorado.com COLORADO WOLF AND WILDLIFE CENTER

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Gardening Thoughts August Gardening Blues

by Katie Geist

Just two weeks ago I was admiring CWWC’s gardens. The perennial beds were weeded and thriving. The native grasses and wild flowers were in full bloom. Even the pots and containers were bursting with color.

Then we had a huge hail storm. As I drove to the Wolf Center the next day, I cringed as I saw the piles of hail still on the ground. Sure enough, the pots and containers that were full of blooming annuals were stripped of all of their flowers. Heartbreak!

The hail isn’t the only culprit in August. The chipmunks have eaten the lilies and other blooms in the big garden beds. An ant hill formed under a yarrow plant. The native penstemon and blue flax finished their flowering and are now just brown sticks in the wind. The wonderful rain we’ve had most of the summer has slowed down requiring more watering, which is never easy here. We had to transplant one more plant, a big beautiful potentilla, because of the visitor center construction project. It was very hot and dry the day we moved it. Needless to say, it’s not thriving. And just yesterday I found that someone had partially crushed our yucca plant by putting some river rocks on top of it.

So what’s a gardener to do when this happens in August? Water, weed, trim back and plan for next summer. One thing I’ve learned after many years of gardening is to know that some plants live, some die, and there are always new ones to try next year. We gardeners are a persistent and patient bunch.

And of course no matter how bummed I get with the gardens, the wolves are always just beyond the garden beds. And they always make me smile!

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