Colorado Wolf AND WILDLIFE CENTER SEPTEMBER 2017
Dancing With Coyotes
Cover Photo
Dancing With Coyotes
CERTIFIED BY THE
The Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization certified by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA). Look for this logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things. The contents of the material we include in our newsletter does not necessarily reflect the views of Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center. We collect information from sources that are from other organizations, the web, news feeds, and/or other sources. We choose articles that are in the related field of education and conservation.
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Our newly rescued coyote, Sky, was introduced in a previous newsletter, but it is hard for guests to keep up with how he is settling into his new home since he is not part of our tour trail. We are hoping to keep everyone up to date with Sky’s progress through our newsletter and video posts on our Facebook page (Go check out the first one with lots of play time!). Sky is an extremely important member of our pack here because he teaches us new things every day. When he arrived, he displayed nervous body language that was very difficult for any of us to read, which can make the situation feel intimidating. After I met Sky for the first time I had the idea that maybe initiating play would help him to feel more comfortable. Kind of like when you see two children who don’t know each other immediately begin to play together, play is a universal language—you just have to figure out how to start. I brought Sky a new toy (sometimes two) almost every day that I could. It was obvious that he loved the squeaky ones the most. He also really enjoys “coyote tetherball”, especially when he has someone playing along with him on the other side. With every new toy and new interaction, I noticed my relationship with Sky began to change and grow. Many of the staff and volunteers here have also connected with Sky through playing and visiting with him in order to build a relationship. He is now getting comfortable meeting new people and loves showing off his new toys until he destroys them. Coyotes are one of the most disliked and heavily persecuted animals in the United States, which is one of the reasons why we feel that it is so important to include them in our educational program here at CWWC. We hope that these updates and stories about Sky will allow for a more intimate understanding of these wonderful and important animals. -Stacey (Staff)
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‘Baby ambassadors’: Newest pups join the pack at Seacrest Wolf Preserve By CAROL KENT WYATT www.chipleypaper.com
CHIPLEY - When Cynthia Watkins Two notable U.S. facilities to have and her late husband, Wayne, agreed Seacrest-bred wolves are the Colorato care for a wolf rescued from a “crudo Wolf and Wildlife Center in Diel, captive situation” nearly 20 years vide, Colorado and Lakota Wolf Preago, the couple never dreamed their serve in Columbia, New Jersey. passion for preserving the diminishWatkins worries that the wolf ’s fuing species would become a full time ture is not secure - and by extension, effort. that of mankind. The couple founded Seacrest Wolf “Wolves in the lower 48 face a bleak Preserve in 1999 and now provide a future because of their removal and safe haven for Gray, Arctic, and Britdelisting from the Endangered Speish Columbian wolves. This week, the cies Act by Congress in 2011, as well newest generation of pups are joining as further removal of laws that prothe pack - one male and three female tect them from human abuse, perGray wolves, born in mid-April. secution and death by the governors “They are our baby ambassadors,” of the few states in the northeast and said Cynthia Watkins. “We want hunorthwest where they are allowed to mans and wolves to connect in nature live,” she said. “This has given wolves for educational purposes. Wolves a death sentence that will surely drive Cynthia Watkins helps the new pups howl are often misunderstood. Old myths them to extinction if these agendas about this majestic animal led to them being eradicated in continue. The federal delisting of the wolves by Congress Europe and to people not understanding their importance and removing them out from under the federal umbrella to eco-systems.” of protection of the Endangered Species Act has placed “Wolves are so amazingly human,” she added. “They this important keystone species in extreme peril. It has know every emotion we do: love, family connection - they also set into play a destructive agenda that powerful entineed each other just like we do.” ties have taken to the state levels where wolves are allowed Seacrest is one of the few place in the world where visi- to live in the lower 48. There, the governors of these states, tors can interact with wolves - pure bred wolves, not wolf Montana, Idaho and Wyoming have joined the effort of and dog blends - rather than just view them through a these powerful entities to remove the remaining protecfence or glass enclosure. tion from America’s wild wolves. Anti-Wolf entities are “The pups go through a very profound imprinting pro- now empowered to shoot, snare, murder, and trap Amercess,” said Watkins. “At ten days old, we had them hu- ica’s wild wolves through outrageously cruel and heinous manely removed from their mother and began the process methods that were once against the law.” of getting them accustomed to human smells and sounds.” Watkins goes on to urge the public to watch “How Wolves In addition to educating the general public, Seacrest has Changed Rivers” to better understand how the misundermade a name for itself in the scientific community, with stood predator affects the larger scheme of the ecosystem. licensed facilities all over the world requesting Seacrest“It’s time people learn to respect the wolf,” said Watkins. bred pups. “God does not make mistakes, and every species is some“We get a lot of requests, but very few are granted,” said thing God created for the circle of life. All of these threads Watkins. “We have very high standards, and if you are go- of life are woven into a tapestry, and each life is a thread. ing to breed a wild species to live inside a fence, you better We need to remember that life outside of ourselves is simhave a good reason to do so.” ply an extension of the life within us.” Seacrest Wolf Preserve · 3449 Bonnett Pond Road, Chipley, FLA · (850) 773-2897 · seacrestwolfpreserve.org
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AZA Grants Certification to Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center has been an AZA Certified facility since 2007. Silver Spring, Maryland (September 9, 2017) – The Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) today announced that Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center was granted certification by AZA’s independent Accreditation Commission. “The Association of Zoos and Aquariums certifies only aquariums and zoos that meet our demanding accreditation standards, which are universally recognized as the ‘gold-standard’ in our profession,” said AZA President and CEO Dan Ashe. “By achieving AZA-accreditation, Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center demonstrates that it is committed to exemplary animal care and welfare, educational and inspiring guest experiences, and AZA’s mission to conserve our world’s wild animals and wild places.” To be certified, Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center underwent a thorough investigation to make certain it has and will continue to meet ever-rising standards, which include animal care and welfare, veterinary programs, conservation, and safety. AZA requires certified related facilities to successfully complete this rigorous review and inspection every five years in order to be members of the Association. The certification process includes a detailed application and a meticulous on-site inspection by a team of trained zoo and aquarium professionals. The inspecting team observes all aspects of the institution’s operation in areas such as animal care and welfare; keeper training; safety for visitors, staff, and animals; conservation efforts; veterinary programs; financial stability; risk management; and more. Finally, top officials are interviewed at a formal Commission hearing, after which certification is granted, tabled, or denied. Any facility that is denied may reapply one year after the Commission’s decision is made.
Darlene and Wayne Purcell, the president of the Humane Society of the United States. He was a guest speaker at the 2017 AZA conference in Indianapolis.
The “Hughlett girls” – part of a family wearing identical shirts – were among those who attended a meeting initiated by area senators and congressmen to gather personal stories supporting a bill that would move management of wolves from the federal level to the state. While some people preferred that the state be rid of wolves, other supported reducing the number from the approximately 950 to previous goals, around 350.
“We are proud to share and support The Association of Zoos and Aquariums mission to conserve the wild animals and wild places of the world. Certification by AZA validates the tireless and dedicated efforts of our staff, management, and volunteers preserving the endangered and threatened species who call Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center home. Our mission is more important now than it has ever been and we will continue to exemplify the AZA “gold standard” in everything we do.” Darlene Kobobel, Founder/Executive Director About AZA Founded in 1924, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, animal welfare, education, science, and recreation. AZA is the accrediting body for the top zoos and aquariums in the United States and eight other countries. Look for the AZA accreditation logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things. The AZA is a leader in saving species and your link to helping animals all over the world. To learn more, visit www.aza.org. About Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center It is the Mission of Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center to… • Educate the public through tours and programs about the importance of Wolves, Coyote and Fox to our ecosystem. • Educate the public about the importance of Preservation and Conservation of the forests, land and water that supports wildlife, flora and fauna for future generations to enjoy. • Provide natural habitats and exceptional lives for the animals entrusted to our care, since they cannot live in the wild.
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EMAIL From: Jim B. Sent: Thursday, August 24, 2017 Subject: Keara Super happy to hear Keara is on the mend. My memories of her and Micah in Nov of 2013 are imprinted in my brain like few other things I’ve experienced. Keep up the good work!! COLORADO WOLF AND WILDLIFE CENTER | 5 |
The Mexican Wolf Recovery Plan Is A Sham By Kirk Robinson, Ph.D. - Executive Director, Western Wildlife Conservancy With its recent Draft Mexican Gray Wolf Recovery Plan, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) seeks to devolve its statutory authority and responsibility for recovery of a highly endangered species onto the states of Arizona and New Mexico. This will not only undermine the prospect for recovery of this and other endangered species, but will undermine the Endangered Species Act itself. The Mexican gray wolf (Canis lupus baileyi), aka lobo, is a subspecies of gray wolf, somewhat smaller than its northern cousins and better adapted to desert-like habitat. Like its northern cousins, the lobo was mercilessly persecuted – to the very brink of extinction. The last five lobos in the wild were captured in the 1970s and 1980s. Three of them, along with four others from two additional lineages already in captivity, became the progenitors of the approximately 400 lobos now on Earth, most of which live in captive breeding facilities – and die there. The recovery effort began with releases of captive wolves into the Blue Range of Arizona and New Mexico in 1998, and more recently in Mexico. As of the beginning of this year, only 113 lobos were alive in the U.S., with another two dozen or so in Mexico. Natural genetic exchange between the two populations is almost impossible because of the existing border wall and unnecessary wolf removals by federal agents to appease livestock growers. Because they are all descendants of the last seven of their kind, lobos are victims of inbreeding depression, which results in smaller litters and lower survival rates. After nearly 20 years of anemic efforts, recovery is nowhere in sight. The clear remedy is to release more lobos into suitable habitat as soon as possible, but the states of Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Utah have managed to hijack the recovery planning process and supplant the previous science-based recovery recommendations with their own politically motivated ones. In a November 2015 letter from the Governors of Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah to the USFWS, the states asserted “. . . recovery of the Mexican wolf cannot and will not be achieved if the Service does not recognize that the majority of Mexican wolf recovery must occur in Mexico . . .” This ultimatum was based purely on political considerations, not science, as it is entirely within the purview of the Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service to designate
recovery areas for an endangered species outside its core historic range if that’s what recovery requires. Given the reality of climate change, this is especially important in the case of the lobo. Nonetheless, the feckless FWS caved to the states’ demand that they be allowed a major role in crafting the recovery plan. On three previous occasions, the FWS convened recovery teams to develop a scientifically and legally sound Mexican wolf recovery plan. Members of the Science and Planning Subgroup of the most recent team were, with one exception, eminent independent scientists with relevant expertise. They concluded that recovery of the lobo would require a minimum of three interconnected populations in the United States, each with at least 250 wolves, for a minimum of 750 overall. The scientists recommended southern Colorado/northern New Mexico, and the greater Grand Canyon ecoregion, extending into parts of Utah, as by far the most suitable additional areas for recovery, since they provide the best remaining available habitat for lobos anywhere on the continent and will allow for genetic exchanges between populations. But, once the affected states were allowed to dominate the planning process, these science-based recommendations were scrapped. Then a population viability model was front-loaded with data that produced a much lower population target than necessary for recovery – a number that the states had previously stated was the most they would accept. The new draft recovery plan sets a recovery goal of just 320 wolves in the U.S. In addition, all lobos must live south of I-40, which bisects Arizona and New Mexico. And the U.S. population will be capped at 320 to 380 animals, with removal of “excess” wolves. A major portion of the recovery burden will be foisted onto Mexico (after all, they are Mexican wolves, right?). It should be noted here that 1), the United States has no regulatory authority over wolf conservation in Mexico; 2) all the empirical data on the potential for lobo recovery in Mexico implies great doubt regarding its capacity (e.g., too much private land, not enough prey); and 3) there’s the border wall. The Draft Mexican Gray Wolf Recovery Plan is a shameful sham and should be rejected.
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Wildlife Services Kills Endangered Mexican Gray Wolf in Arizona
First Mexican Wolf Gunned Down by USDA for Cattle Predation in 10+ Years SILVER CITY, N.M.— Wildlife officials revealed recently that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services agency killed a Mexican gray wolf in eastern Arizona in August — the first time in more than 10 years that the government has killed one of these critically endangered animals because of livestock predation. The female — one of only a small number of Mexican wolves in the wild — was part of the Diamond pack. “It’s sickening that the Trump administration is so heartless it would gun down Mexican wolves on behalf of the livestock industry,” said Michael Robinson, conservation advocate with the Center for Biological Diversity. “The Diamond pack has needlessly lost a member of its family, and the recovery of endangered Mexican gray wolves has taken an unnecessary step backward.” The killing represents a return to a discredited policy of killing wolves punitively in the same locations where sloppy livestock-management practices typically draw wolves into conflicts. Along with the one-sentence summary of the wolf ’s killing released, it was revealed that a dead cow — found around the same time as other cattle that were killed by wolves — was necropsied and found not to have been killed by wolves, but instead to have died from ingesting twine. Those circumstances suggest the likelihood, as has happened in countless other instances, that the Diamond pack scavenged on the cow’s carcass and wolves were then drawn to prey on nearby, vulnerable cattle. This was the 15th Mexican wolf shot by the government since reintroduction began in 1998. Dozens of other wolves have been removed, alive, from the wild. A growing body of research shows that killing wolves does nothing in the long run to reduce losses of livestock. Instead, stock can be protected through means accepted among ranchers in other regions who coexist with wolves, such as the Midwest. Effectively protecting cattle or sheep requires ranchers to remove livestock carcasses, enact seasonal calving to limit vulnerable calves’ exposure to wolves, and provide a consistent human presence to scare wolves away. The government has required no such measures to prevent conflicts between Mexican wolves and livestock on public lands.
“The government killed this wolf in secret and is hoping that her death won’t cause a stir,” said Robinson. “Unfortunately we know that persecuting wolves becomes disturbingly habitual for some wildlife managers, and that runs directly counter to what the science says is best for recovering carnivores and reducing conflicts.” BACKGROUND The last Mexican wolf killed by the government for killing livestock was the mother of at least one pup in the Durango pack in New Mexico, shot in July 2007 after that pack was purposefully baited into killing stock in order to prompt its destruction. After the Bush administration’s U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service decided to kill that female, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson persuaded the federal agency to reverse its order, but it was too late. Before it was convinced to stop the slaughter, the agency had killed and removed so many wolves that it caused a 24-percent drop in the Mexican wolf population. Mexican wolves were first pushed to the brink of extinction through a program of federal trappers and poisoners that, beginning in 1915, sought to kill every wolf in the western United States. By the late 1920s, few wolves existed anywhere in the United States. In 1950 the Fish and Wildlife Service expanded its poisoning program to Mexico as a foreign-aid program. By the 1970s, when the Endangered Species Act was passed and the Mexican wolf had been placed on the endangered species list, only five wolves could be captured for an emergency captive-breeding program. Three of those wolves and the progeny of four others already in captivity were successfully bred to save the subspecies from extinction and allow for reintroduction into the U.S. Southwest in 1998 and into Mexico in 2011. In June the Fish and Wildlife Service issued a draft Mexican Wolf Recovery Plan for public comment before finalizing such a plan in November, pursuant to a settlement agreement with the Center for Biological Diversity and our allies. The Center and independent scientists criticized the draft plan for relying on killing wolves and for planning to remove them from federal protection with too few wolves in arbitrarily limited areas.
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CONSERVATION CORNER
Kakapo
11 mile State Park educational program
By Shelby Harvey, CWWC volunteer
Once you have seen a Kakapo, you surely won’t soon forget this very unique bird. They are moderately large birds, typically averaging 6 pounds, making them the heaviest parrot species. The Kakapo is the only flightless parrot existing in the world today, their entire lifespan is spent roaming the forest floors in New Zealand. The Kakapo does somewhat resemble an owl in the face region, and they do tend to waddle while traveling, making them quite an endearing species. Before the 1900’s the Kakapo could be found all over the country of New Zealand. However, their numbers have suffered great losses since then. Due to threats, such as habitat loss, predation by introduced mammal species, and hunting by humans. Kakapos rely on their beautiful green coloring to act as camouflage against their natural predators. Before introduced species were a threat, Kakapos generally used their emerald feathers very well, since their natural predators were generally large carnivorous birds. But, unfortunately this defense is very unsuccessful against predation by mammalian hunters. The two introduced species that had the greatest impact on the Kakapo’s survival is the common house cat and the stoat. The Kakapo could not thrive under these threats and during the 1990’s there were only about 50 Kakapos left in the wild. Currently, there is a large conservation effort for this struggling species. Previously, they have tried to relocate the flightless parrots to islands in their natural territory that did not contain cats or stoats. This effort has been generally successful. The Kakapo species resides on three islands off the coast of New Zealand presently. There are about 150 Kakapos living in the wild as of 2016. If you would like to be part of the movement to save this remarkable parrot, please visit www.kakaporecovery.org.
End of summer Appreciation Day at the Royal Gorge
kakaporecovery.org.nz/about-kakapo/ · nzbirdsonline.org.nz/species/kakapo | 8 | COLORADO WOLF AND WILDLIFE CENTER
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ADOPTION CORNER
ADOPTION CORNER
Available from TCRAS · Teller County Regional Animal Shelter
Available from San Luis Valley Animal Welfare Society
tcrascolorado.com · 719.686.7707 · NO-KILL shelter in Divide, Colorado
slvaws.org · 719.587.woof (9663) · Non-Profit NO-KILL Shelter
TEHAH AGE: 4 y 3 m · Female/Spayed Black/Orange Domestic Shorthair/Mix Hi. My name is Tehah. I am a beautiful girl looking for my forever home. I came to be at TCRAS because my humans fell on hard times and could no longer take care of me. I know my house manners. I love to get petted. All I need is a warm sunny spot and a lap to call my own.
ADOPTION FAIR Saturdays 11am-5pm at the Petco in Colorado Springs at 5020 N. Nevada
LANNY, is a senior dog rescued from a hoarding situation. He is neutered, great with other dogs and cats and children and adults. TERI. Just a wisp, 10 lbs, 1 year. Will be available in 2 weeks. Gets along well with cats and dogs.
REBEL AGE: 2 y 3 m · Male/Neutered Black/White Akita/Mix Hi. My name is Rebel. I have been at the shelter quite a while, but don’t think I have been idle. I have been going through extensive training, which I will need to keep up with when I get adopted. I can be select with my new friends, but once I get comfortable with my new family I will feel it is my job to protect them. I would love to meet you and am waiting here.
HARLEY QUINN. Energetic chihuahua/pug, 3 years old. Gets along with other dogs. Available in 2 weeks. | 10 | COLORADO WOLF AND WILDLIFE CENTER
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OCTOBER 29 4-6pm Join us as we pass out meat-filled pumpkins to all the wolves
PLUS enjoy a bon fire and refreshments $30 adults $15 children 12 & under Reservations required 719-687-9742