Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center SEPTEMBER 2015
A Rare Blood Moon
over a rare and beautiful wolf center of special animals and people COLORADO WOLF AND WILDLIFE CENTER
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sibling fight
The Killing of Cecil and Other Fronts in the War on Predators What’s the most dangerous predator in the world? The polar bear, or the great white shark, or the Siberian tiger? Not one of them comes close to the track record of homo sapiens as predator. We kill other carnivores at a more intense and severe rate than any predator kills their top prey within any ecosystem, according to a new study in the journal Science.
Miracles do happen! Sakara (meaning sweet one) is a sweet girl but usually reserves her kisses for volunteers she knows well. Our guest Dawn shared a brief but very special moment with our usually shy girl Sakara during an alpha interaction. A truly special experience for everyone involved.
HELLO
Hi! I’m the deaf gal that came in one day from Omaha, Nebraska back in March. Just stopping in for the updates. Want to know how’s my troublemaker Na’vi is doing. Sure miss him sooooo much! Am so sad and want to come back and visit. Hope all the wolves are doing well too! I never went a day without thinking of Na’vi. As I have picture of him hanging in my room. So glad I get to share same birthday month as him. My fathers side of family lives in Denver. I should convince my parents to let me come back to Denver soon! I would totally drag my uncle to come visit. He loves wolves. A big fan! Give Na’vi a big smoooooch and a hug for me. With love. aaawwwwooooooooo Laura S.
My wife and I are so glad we decided to do the photo shoot with the wolves. We put together a photo album with just those pictures. We did many things while we visited Colorado, but being kissed by a wolf is something we will never forget. You gave us many great memories to bring home with us. When we left that day we were emotional higher than any mountain in the Rockies. Thank You For Doing What You Do Brad & Melanie
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Carnivore protection and conservation was not even a subject of discussion until the later part of the 20th century. Rather, they were mostly viewed as ‘bad’ animals whose eradication was both warranted and proper because this would improve conditions for ‘good’ animals and humans. Now we have an abundance of field work from scientists to demonstrate a broad array of benefits for ecosystems and the economy by keeping predator populations healthy. And while some attitudes have changed for the better, some individuals, groups, and communities still show a visceral dislike for these animals – a dislike out of whack with any threats the animals pose. While we do protect some carnivores – California forbids trophy hunting of mountain lions, and a number of states ban or severely restrict the use of body-gripping traps for carnivores and other animals who are trapped for their fur – those protective standards are the exceptions to the rule. Recently New Mexico game commissioners approved a plan to allow the snaring of cougars on nine million acres of state trust lands. The new plan will allow each hunter permission to kill four cougars a year, even though cougars are inedible. We continue to be ruthless towards mountain lions in other western states (allowing hounding of them in most of them); persecute wolves in states where federal protections for them have been lifted; hunt bears with packs of dogs or over bait stations in many states; and recently opened a new trophy hunting season on bears in Florida after more than two decades of protecting them. We have an entire federal
agency, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services, that alone kills 100,000 coyotes a year, mainly on western lands, in order to make publicland grazing safer for sheep and cows. Yet there are signs of change. The recent killing of Cecil the lion created a global furor, causing more than 40 airlines to stop shipping trophies taken from any of the Africa Big Five (lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and Cape buffalo). Last November, voters in Michigan overwhelmingly rejected the idea of trophy hunting or trapping of the 630 or so wolves in the state’s Upper Peninsula. Wolves are reclaiming their native lands in Washington, Oregon, and most recently, California. Starting on October 12th, The HSUS will assemble many of the top predator scientists in the nation, and key government leaders, for a conference about predators and their management. It’s called Living Large – Wolves, Bears, Cougars and Humans in North America. Space is still available for the three-day conference, and here’s how you can register. https://www.regonline.com/builder/site/Default. aspx?EventID=1701612 This is an important conference, and it’s been pulled together by the Humane Society Institute for Science and Policy. Make your plans now to go to Washington, and join the conversation about this roiling debate over predators and people. For carnivores in North America and throughout the world, so much is at stake. The only way they’ll survive is if we raise our voices for them.
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How Things Evolve at CWWC Our Amphitheater was completed a few months ago with the intentions if our future “Nature Movie Night” and educational speakers from schools to classes of all related types of vet medicine and animal conservation. However, our beautiful Amphitheater has now been used for beautiful weddings. The love bug has caught on since we are now booking weddings throughout the year. So…. if you want something unique, well what a better place to be and become a mated pair?
I would like to share a fundraising opportunity that I am involved with. My cats, ferrets, macaw and I are participating in an online art studio tour in October and we would like to name Colorado Wolf & Wildlife Center as our donation recipient in honor of Keyni and the rest of your beautiful pack. My husband and I were there in March and did the walking tour and the Alpha tour for our Anniversary. I also grew up in Florissant and plan on coming back to the area in the near future.
A little history:
This group of diverse artists participates in a yearly online studio tour during the month of October to celebrate Halloween. The initial goal was for the tour to raise money to help rescue bats. We have now branched out to a variety of different rescues. Each artist is asked to donate 20% (or more) of their sales to an animal rescue organization of their choice. Last year I partnered with Wolf Mountain Sanctuary. This year I would like to name your organization as my receiving rescue. Please ask your followers to visit the tour and like and share to get the word around. You can find some more information about the tour at halloweenstudiotour.com Many thanks for all you do for the animals in need. Kind regards, Deana Pfaus
Two Wolves Found Dead in Oregon Raise Poaching Suspicions The pair was raising pups, which are now on their own. By Taylor Hill Typically, wolves don’t die in groups. So when Oregon state officials found two dead adult wolves within 50 feet of each other on Aug. 24, it raised some questions. Officers with the state fish and wildlife division are now investigating the mysterious deaths but have declined to comment on how the endangered animals died. State police spokesperson Bill Fugate told a local radio station that the deaths occurred under “unnatural” circumstances, and that the animals could have been poached. The two dead wolves were found in the northeast part of the state after the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife received an alert that one of its wolf GPS collars was emitting a “mortality signal,” said department spokesperson Michelle Dennehy. OR-21, a female wolf that had been collared in June 2013 by the department, was one of the victims. She left her pack in 2014, found a mate, and had pups earlier this year. The department labeled the new group the Sled Springs pair and announced the wolves’ presence in the region so local ranchers could take steps to avoid “wolf-livestock conflicts.” With OR-21 and her mate’s deaths, the fate of the orphaned five-month-old pups is uncertain, but the department is hopeful. “At this stage, they’ll be fully weaned, and it’s not atypical for pups of this age to make it through the winter season,” Dennehy said. But Amaroq Weiss, who handles West Coast wolf
issues at the Center for Biological Diversity, isn’t so sure. “Their survival chances are iffy at best,” Weiss said. “They’ll know how to bring down smaller animals, but their mother shows them how to hone the skills of hunting bigger prey, and now they won’t have that chance.” An even bigger concern for the pups, Weiss said, is that with their lack of hunting ability, they could start targeting easier prey—such as livestock. “People think that shooting wolves will lead to less conflict with livestock, but there’s proof that’s not the case,” she said. But how does killing wolves result in more dead livestock? One study conducted by scientists at Washington State University that looked at 25 years of wolf predation and killing statistics from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service found that for each wolf killed, the odds of death by wolf predation rose by 4 percent for sheep and 5 to 6 percent for cattle. “When you disrupt a pack, it only leads to more predation,” Weiss said. Since 2007, state officials have confirmed that four wolves have been illegally killed in Oregon. There are 77 wolves known to reside in nine packs in Oregon, with a majority located in the state’s northeast corner. Poaching the protected species can bring a year in jail and a fine of up to $6,250.
Police are asking anyone with information about the wolves’ deaths to contact Senior Trooper Kreg Coggins at (541) 426-3049, call the poaching tipster hotline at (800) 452-7888, or email tip@state.or.us. Taylor Hill is an associate editor at TakePart covering environment and wildlife. takepart.com
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Wisconsin Citizens Should No Longer ‘bear’ Consequences of Baiting or Hounding Friends of the Wisconsin Wolf & Wildlife · fofww.org
On a recent trip to Crex Meadows Wildlife Area in Burnett county, directors Melissa Smith of Friends of the Wisconsin Wolf & Wildlife and Melanie Weberg of League of Humane Voters-WI Chapter, discovered first hand just how prolific and unregulated the practice of baiting and hound dog training on bears is. More than ten bear baiting sites were discovered at Crex and within one mile of the Village of Grantsburg, a town that is having some serious bear conflict issues. And that’s only what they could find, not having any experience with baiting of wildlife personally. Crex Meadows brings in over 100,000 visitors annually, mostly for non extractive wildlife watching. The 2014 numbers are in: 4.63 million gallons of bear bait put down on Wisconsin landscape at 82,300 bear bait sites by Class A & B buyers. The amount of bait is a 21% increase from 2011 survey numbers. Bear Baiting in Wisconsin is a legal method for the purpose of hunting bear or training bear dogs.
This method consists of intensive feeding of bears to make them easier targets for hunters and for hound dog training. Bear hunters stack donuts, candy, grease, rotting garbage, and other high-calorie foods in the bait piles from April 15 through the end of bear hunting season in October. There currently is 6 months of legal baiting bears in Wisconsin which is a majority of their year considering they hibernate. Feeding bears for non-hunting purposes, such as recreational viewing, photography or leaving trash accessible to bears is NOT legal and offenders can be fined by the DNR. The DNR says it will not remove a nuisance bear if a food source is available to it. In Minnesota, for contrast purposes, pre-season of bear baiting is limited to 14 days and hound hunting of bears is banned. MN requires on-line registration of bait sites (GPS locations, labels) and a maximum of 3 baits sites for enforcement purposes. Wisconsin allows unlimited bait sites w/ no registration and no licensing of hound dog training. In Wisconsin, the Class B license of bear dog training has recently been eliminated and that will lead to less data collection, we believe, intentionally done for political reasons. A very recent article written by a WI bear hunter clearly illustrates many of the concerns about baiting and it’s impact on wildlife. Many species become habituated to bait sites besides bears such as wolves and deer, and the consequences from this are enormous. One direct consequence is wolves and bears killing hounds and the other is the potential spread of CWD. Bear baiting is arguably the #1 Wildlife Management threat in Wisconsin unbeknownst to 90% of
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the citizenry. There is literature which suggests that Black Bear reproduction increases, body conditioning/weight and litter size. Sound biology has indeed taken a back seat to the greed of trophy hunting of Black Bear, politics and the economics of license sales. The mother black bear and 2 cubs of the Grantsburg area have inadvertently opened the Pandora’s Box of bear baiting in Wisconsin,” said Weberg. Melissa Smith agrees with Weberg. “From all the scientific data we have gathered and witnessed ourselves, I believe wholeheartedly, that baiting the way we do in Wisconsin changes behavior patterns in our bears and leads to habituation and conflict with humans through food conditioning. While I can’t prove it...yet...I believe that baiting is contributing to conflicts with people and wildlife through these practices of baiting and bear hound hunting. We do know that artificial feeding and the constant harassment by hound hunters on our bears, wolves and other wildlife does change bear and other wildlife’s population and reproduction, foraging habits, forest degeneration, and I feel certain that there is an increase in illegal activity. The whole thing is so wildly unregulated, unsporting and trophy hunting oriented. It does not fit into the commonly held hunter manifesto, The North American Model of Conservation. Trespass and disrespect are constant complaints I hear from the hunting communities ” With Wisconsin’s current bear management methods, the bear population hasn’t remained stable. As the result of this high level of baiting, the bear population has increased. While there does seem to be a high interest in bear hunting in Wisconsin, hunting bears does not reduce conflict. There is no scientific evidence in the correlation of the size of a bear population and conflict with people. The claim that hunting can reduce wildlife conflict with people cannot be substantiated. Minnesota (hounds), Colorado, Oregon and Washington, all with a close population of black bears as Wisconsin, prohibited these practices decades ago and are effectively managing their bear populations. all while keeping bear-human conflicts stable and dramatically increasing hunting revenue and success. Both Friends of the Wisconsin Wolf & Wildlife and League of Humane Voters-WI Chapter have members who are hunters, veterinarians, business owners, tribal members, community leaders and independent biologists. We have come together to expose bear hunting practices in Wisconsin and to change the practices of of both bear baiting and bear hound hunting from both an ethical and scientific perspective. At a minimum, baiting and hounding of wildlife should be banned from our shared public lands and within 5 miles of any residence. COLORADO WOLF AND WILDLIFE CENTER
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Pitiful Fine for Wolf Killer
Center for Biological Diversity · Predator Defense Fund · www.biologicaldiversity.org It’s one of the sickest stories I’ve heard in a long time: Last fall in eastern Washington, a man spotted a wolf, chased him several miles in a truck, and then shot him twice, leaving the wolf to suffer until government agents could end his misery. We’ve waited nearly a year to hear the punishment for Jonathan Rasmussen -- wolves are protected under Washington’s Endangered Species Act. The local prosecutor just announced his decision. Rasmussen was fined $100. The wolf was the first in Whitman County, Wash., in a century and there was no sign that he was chasing livestock. His death was cruel and pointless. And sadly, senseless killings like this happen far too often. The shooter who killed Echo, the first wolf to travel to the Grand Canyon in 70 years, claimed he mistook her for a coyote and was never charged. We’ve seen other wolves caught in foot traps before they’re shot or paraded through town on top of cars once they’ve been killed. It’s the same kind of bloodlust that drove wolves to the brink of extinction 100 years ago -- and it has to stop. I know wolf lovers are infuriated by what’s happened. We need your help to turn this anger into action.
A donation to the Predator Defense Fund will go right to our intensive work to save wolves and their families from the Jonathan Rasmussens of the world. The Center for Biological Diversity is fighting for wolves everywhere -- and we’ve won again and again. The most important tool in protecting them is the federal Endangered Species Act -- and this case shows exactly why local law enforcement can’t be entrusted with wolves’ fate. A $100 fine for killing a wolf is a joke, but saving wolves is serious. Let the killers know you stand with wolves -- give $100 to the Predator Defense Fund. Or $5, $50, whatever you can spare. With the help of folks like you, our lawyers and scientists are pursuing the most aggressive pro-wolf agenda in the country. While other groups may be resigning themselves to losing the wolf wars, we’ll never stop fighting for these animals. It may be too late for the wolf up on Washington’s Palouse, but it’s not too late to save the next one.
Full Moon Tours
Tour lasts approx. 1 hour. One Saturday night a month!
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. 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. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED! 719.687.9742
UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS: OCTOBER 31st : Howl-O-Ween Event NOVEMBER 26th : Thanksgiving Turkey Toss DECEMBER 20th : Winter Wonderland
For the wolves, Kierán Suckling - Executive Director Center for Biological Diversity
Saturday, October 31st
4:00-6:00 pm
CWWC wants to thank Tanner Coy and Tweeds Fine Furnishings for the continued support of the center. 240 East Highway 24 · Woodland Park CO 80863 719.687.7373 · tweedsfurniture.com
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Join us as we pass out meat-filled pumpkins to all the wolves... + Bon Fire & Refreshments $30 adults · $15 children 12 & under Reservations Required! COLORADO WOLF AND WILDLIFE CENTER
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Conservation Corner Imagine that you are sitting at home, sipping your morning coffee, maybe scrolling through the news on your phone when suddenly you smell gasoline. The smell is so strong it chokes your senses, suddenly you realize your house is filling up with the liquid - so you leap up and run out the front door. Suddenly you are grabbed violently, a bag is thrown over your head and you are shoved in the back of a van. Next thing you know, you are strapped down, the bag is pulled off your head - and someone opens your mouth, tears your teeth out with pliers and then takes a large needle and sews your mouth shutall without any anesthetics. You are then shoved into another dark place, with dozens-maybe hundreds of others just like you. Days pass by, and finally you are let free into a large arena - crowds jeer and you look around at the floor - soaked in blood with skinned bodies and heads laying all over the place. Adults and children alike are standing there, knives in their hands, stabbing the others that came with you, skinning them alive.. and you know you are next. It’s a fate that you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy, and something that would only happen in a horror movie and never in today’s society... right?
Photo by Daniel Pinkston, courtesy of Serpent Encounters
ple do not seem to care. Snakes, like wolves, tend to have a negative stigma. Unfortunately, there is no valid reason to hate snakes, or treat them with such malice and abuse. Yet, people continue to make poor excuses in order to kill them. What for? Just because they are not cute or fuzzy? Snakes play a vital role in the ecosystem, and most species in the United States are harmless to humans. In fact, there are 126 species of snakes in the United States, only 19 of those are venomous. Those that could injure a person generally are not found in urban areas, and even then, very rarely pose a threat Wrong. to human life. The majority of venomous snake bites Every year throughout the United States, thou- in the United States happen when people, generally sands of rattlesnakes are rounded up by pouring young men, attempt to free handle them-meaning gasoline into their dens - dens that are far from they do not use proper precautions and just pick people - collected, have their fangs pulled from their them up. Any animal that is frightened will defend mouths, their mouths sewn shut, and then carted itself, and with snakes, the only defense they have off to be killed in grisly public displays by people of is biting and flinging feces and musk. On average, all ages, all publicized as a “family friendly” event. 5 people in the United States die from venomous Generally, this type of animal abuse would be con- snake bites per year-compare that to the fact that 13 sidered felony cruelty, but sadly, reptiles do not fall people are killed by vending machines every year. All snakes play an important role in our ecounder any form of humane laws. Sadly, even as rattle snake populations plummet systems by helping control rodent and other pest to an all time low, a direct cause of roundups, peo- populations. Just one mouse can eat more than 25
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pounds of grain a year, and snakes will eat as many mice as they can in a given opportunity, sometimes even eating an entire nest of rodents. Just one snake will save more than 500 pounds of grains in a given year. Venomous snakes also play a very important role in cancer research and creation for new medications. It has been discovered that snake venom inhibits cancer cell growth, and can help fight breast cancer. Many other medical uses for snake venom have been discovered such as creating medications that help reduce the chances for blood clots to form during major surgeries. It can also help stroke victims and prevent heart attacks. While not everyone has to love snakes, there is no need to kill them. Especially when they do not pose any direct threat. In fact, it is very rare that a snake would pose a direct threat to humans. Snakes can only strike, at the very most, up to 2/3 of their body length. If you happen to come across one on the trail or in the yard, the best thing to do is leave it alone. Contrary to fear mongering myths - NO SNAKE in North America will “chase” a person. We need to change the common misconception that the only good snake is a dead snake - simply not liking an animal, or being afraid of it does not give right to kill it. In fact, it is actually illegal to kill most species of “harmless” snakes in the U.S. So, if you don’t want them in the yard, keep grass mowed short and ensure that there are no loose wood or rock piles that invite rodents and provide a place for snakes to hide. All animals deserve respect - even the scaly ones. Remember, people fear what they do not understand, and hate what they fear. So always learn to understand, educate others, and respect the life we share this planet with.
big or small, I can do it all!
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 PET sitter · walker · chauffeur · friend entertainer · confidant · personal assistant DAYS · NIGHTS · WEEKENDS · ANY TIME
Submitted by Michelle S. Michelle keeps reptiles as a hobby and has several snakes, comprising of six species. dogvacay.com/pro/alisonoasispetvacay.com COLORADO WOLF AND WILDLIFE CENTER
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adopt US from
SLV Animal Welfare Society slvaws.org · 719.587.woof (9663) Non-Profit NO-KILL Shelter Monetary Donations Always Needed
5 year old neutered male Black/White Terrier, Patterdale/Mix Hi people, I’m Edwin. How are you? I’m looking for a good home with some people to love. Some men can make me nervous but once I have time to trust, I do really well. I like to sit in laps and snuggle. If you stop by to meet me sometime, I’m sure we could be quick friends. Will you please take me home? 2 year old spayed female Domestic Med Hair/Mix My name is Carly. I am a beautiful soft kitty, who is a bit shy. I do get along with other cats. Having another cat in my home may help me to adjust a bit better! Please just take it safe and slow when introducing us, remember I need time and patience. Once we get to know each other I will ask for petting and may even climb up to your lap for a good warm nap! I do hope there is that special person, with a big heart and lots of patience comes along soon. I have been at the shelter for months now and would really like to find my forever home.
adopt US from TCRAS the no-kill shelter in Divide, CO 719.686.7707 · tcrascolorado.com
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Sam, coonhound/pointer mix. High prey drive. Best as only dog. Affectionate. Neutered male. Sam loves bacon!
Lulu, about 2 years old, spayed, best as only dog. About 25 lbs
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Gardening Thoughts
by Katie Geist
Autumn Beauty and Things Learned It has been a dry and warm September at the Wolf Center, with no rain since mid-August. Perfect weather for potted annual plants. The petunias and geraniums are stunning with their bright colors and full flowers. This year I decided that I would grow geraniums from seed at home to save money for myself and the Wolf Center. They were easy to start from seed. What I discovered is that geraniums take a long time to set blooms. They didn’t bloom until August. Therefor I didn’t use them at the Wolf Center, but I did plant them on my deck. Today they are absolutely gorgeous. Next year I will start them from seed in February and ensure they get lots of light after the first transplant. Here are a few tips about starting annuals from seed • Read the seed packet • Put them under fluorescent lights or in a sunny window. Most seeds and plants need temps between 65-70° • Containers should be 3” deep. You can use egg cartons or clean yogurt containers • Use seed starting soil mix only • Moisten your soil before planting seeds • Sow your seeds as recommended on the seed packet, cover with plastic and keep moist • When the plants emerge you can remove the cover • Fertilize, keep moist, and thin plants when they have true leaves • Transplant when they get big enough • Harden them off before planting outside COLORADO WOLF AND WILDLIFE CENTER
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