OCTOBER · NOVEMBER 2012
Winter is coming and the wolves are getting excited for some cooler weather!
AZA Grants Certification To Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center Silver Spring, Maryland (September 24, 2012) – The Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) today announced that the Colorado Wolf & Wildlife Center was granted certification by AZA’s independent Accreditation Commission. “It takes hard work and dedication to meet Association of Zoos and Aquariums Standards,” said AZA President and CEO Jim Maddy. “By meeting the highest standards, the Colorado Wolf & Wildlife Center has shown it is ranked among the best in the world.” To be certified, the Colorado Wolf & Wildlife Center underwent a thorough investigation to ensure it has and will continue to meet ever-rising standards, which include animal care, veterinary programs, conservation, education, and safety. AZA requires zoos and aquariums
to successfully complete this rigorous review and inspection every five years in order to be members of the Association. “As a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the Colorado Wolf & Wildlife Center is a true leader in wildlife conservation,” Maddy added. 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; keeper training; safety for visitors, staff, and animals; conservation efforts; veterinary programs; financial stability; risk management; and other areas. Finally, top officials are interviewed at a formal Commission hearing, after which
certification is granted, tabled, or denied. Any institution that is denied may reapply one year after the Commission’s decision is made. Founded in 1924, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, education, science, and recreation. Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting an institution dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things. AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation, and your link to helping animals in their native habitats. www.aza.org.
Colorado Wolf And Wildlife Center | PO Box 713 | Divide, CO 80814 | 719.687.9742 | www. wolfeducation.org
Good news for Wolves in California! From Project Coyote The California Fish & Game Commission in Sacramento voted unanimously to move forward with giving the gray wolf immediate status as a “candidate” for listing, and providing the species full state protections until a final decision is made. Despite heavy opposition from ranchers and hunters, we prevailed. This is a big step forward - especially as wolves in Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, Wisconsin, Minnesota and elsewhere are being brutally slaughtered since federal protections were removed. Garnering state protections under the California ESA is vital to protecting OR7 (aka “Journey”) and future wolves entering California. Project Coyote has pledged our support to the Commission and to the Department to work with them to promote wolf recovery, increase acceptance, and implement effective strategies that foster coexistence. Progress for our wild canid friends- one step at a time!
Keoka enjoying a cool fall dip
Waiting patiently...
Colorado Wolf And Wildlife Center | PO Box 713 | Divide, CO 80814 | 719.687.9742 | www. wolfeducation.org
COLORADO WOLF AND WILDLIFE CENTER
PHOTOS
1st Full Moon Tour of the year around the bon fire. Fall nights are here Catherine’s first program with Codi
Our beautiful swift fox pond that has an amazing little ecosystem going. Check out the fish who live year round, natural algae stream and real catails. All we need are frogs!
Codi’s first meet and greet
Cock of the walk observing the school group
Prissy the queen dog getting praised for her beauty
Katie, Casey and Nena sharing some love
Colorado Wolf And Wildlife Center | PO Box 713 | Divide, CO 80814 | 719.687.9742 | www. wolfeducation.org
COLORADO WOLF AND WILDLIFE CENTER
CALENDAR
CWWC special events : these tours and events are in addition to our standard 10 am, noon, 2 pm tours
FULL MOON TOUR November 24
FEEDING FEST TOUR Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday CALL FOR TIMES
Check in by 5:00pm Meet and greet one of our wolves at 5:30pm - Tour starts immediately after and lasts approximately 1 hour.
Future Full Moon Tours December 29
Meet our resident animals during the feeding tour 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!
*the first date must be full before the second date opens
Adults $20
Wear warm clothes and good boots. Bring a camera and flashlight. Cocoa and coffee will be provided ADULTS $25 KIDS $15 (8-12 yrs) No kids under 8
Kids 12 & under $10
walk on the wild side
Thursday & Sunday CALL FOR TIMES Start by walking with a guide through the Center and seeing the wolves, coyote and fox then prepare for a 1/2 mile walk with one of our wolves down a dirt forest road.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED FOR ALL TOURS AND SPECIAL EVENTS
719-687-9742
All tours have limited space and we have a no-cancellation policy from May-October
GOT MEAT ?
We are in need
of meat (and moneta ry donations!) We can take your freezer burned or old We cannot ta meat. ke meat that is spoiled, se asoned, or spiced no r fish with bo nes. 7 1 9-6 8 7-9 7 4
2
Colorado Wolf And Wildlife Center | PO Box 713 | Divide, CO 80814 | 719.687.9742 | www. wolfeducation.org
Kekoa singing for the camera Day spa in fall
Walk with a wolf on a beautiful fall day Colorado Wolf And Wildlife Center | PO Box 713 | Divide, CO 80814 | 719.687.9742 | www. wolfeducation.org
Who’s Afraid Of The Big Bad Wolf? By Wendy Keefover And Mark Salvo Who’s afraid of the big bad wolf? Not Coloradans, the majority of whom support wolves. And Colorado needs wolves and the many benefits they provide. It’s time for the federal government to restore wolves to Colorado, starting with Rocky Mtn. Natl. Park. WildEarth Guardians is litigating RMNP’s flawed 2008 management plan for failing to seriously consider wolves to control elk herds. In an editorial, The Denver Post complained that, “returning wolves to Colorado ... shouldn’t be decided in court.” The Post misunderstands our case. We’ve only requested that the court require the National Park Svc. to fully analyze a wolf restoration alternative pursuant to required federal planning mandates. The park has a long-standing elk problem. Elk have destroyed aspen groves, browsed down streamside vegetation, and degraded the habitat for a multitude of species. The obvious solution: restore wolves. Their work can’t be beat and it’s free. To the shock of many, the Park Service -- the federal agency most dedicated to managing natural landscapes -- decided against wolves and chose instead to use sharpshooters to control elk herds. Hunting is prohibited in national parks. The Post quibbles that sharpshooting is not comparable to hunting, but that misses the point. National parks are designated to preserve natural processes. Shooting elk returns us to misguided policies of the past when park rangers eliminated socially unacceptable species -- including, ironically, wolves. What The Post seems most concerned about is the so-called “controversy” of reintroducing wolves in the park. But The Post’s concerns are without merit. Wolves might leave the park, but they would have more than 2 million acres of adjacent national forests on which to roam. Wolf restoration has negligible effects on the livestock industry. Even in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming (and prior to recommencement of wolf hunting in Idaho and Montana last year), wolves have killed less than 1% of the cattle and sheep inventories. Finally, the effects of wolf predation on elk numbers are also insignificant. In fact, in those same states, elk populations have exceeded management goals. Wolf restoration makes good sense. What’s in it for Colorado? In addition to myriad ecological benefits, there’s money to be made. Wolf-watching tourism generated $36 million in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming in 2005. With wolf hunting and trapping in those 3 states, wolves are unlikely to migrate to Colorado on their own. We need to actively restore wolves to Colorado, starting in our national park. Wendy Keefover is director of the Carnivore Protection Program for WildEarth Guardians in Broomfield. Mark Salvo is the group’s wildlife program director in Phoenix.
Letting Nature Deal with Size of Elk Herds in Rocky Mountain National Park RE: “Park Service defends its decision to not use wolves,” Sept. 21st news story. As a professional wildlife photographer, I’ve spent more than 3 decades working in our national parks. I’ve seen firsthand the impact that overpopulated, sedentary elk herds have on our wild ecosystems. I’ve also seen how these same ecosystems heal when natural balance is restored. There is no doubt the elk population in RMNP needs to be reduced. However, erecting fences and using hunters to cull populations is not the answer. Our national parks are intended to be truly wild places. The management priority needs to minimize use of artificial and non-sustainable systems. It shouldn’t be a surprise to wildlife managers something has gone awry. Elk had to be reintroduced to the Estes Valley in 1913 after hunters eliminated nearly all of the native herds, along with the natural check and balance system -- wolves and grizzly bears. Fenced enclosures and hired guns aren’t the answer. Nature understands balance and doesn’t need our help. Ray Rafiti - Ft. Collins, CO
133 Wolves Destroyed in Combined Hunts!
The death toll rises. Innocent wolves are dying torturous deaths. Pups, mothers, fathers, wolf families destroyed! Get Active! Organize! This will continue until we join together to stop it! Howl Across America!!! IDAHO: 65 · MONTANA: 18 WYOMING: 30 · WISCONSIN: 20
133 Wolves Slaughtered in 54 Days
Colorado Wolf And Wildlife Center | PO Box 713 | Divide, CO 80814 | 719.687.9742 | www. wolfeducation.org
COLORADO WOLF AND WILDLIFE CENTER
LOOKING FOR HOMES
Hazel & Hunter
Hunter, a Geman Shorthair Pointer, and Hazel, A Rottweiler mix, have been raised together their whole lives. Both are 6 years young and full of life and energy. They love to play together and are very happy entertaining each other. Both love to hike, play ball or just hang out! They would love to stay together, so their adoption fee is two for one at $120.00 for the pair. If you have room in your heart and home for this wonderful duo to join your family come and meet them!! Call TCRAS, the no-kill shelter in Divide, at 719-686-7707 for more information or checkout our website to see all the available animals! www.tcrascolorado.com
“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.” - Josh Billings
Buddy is good with cats, children and all sizes and sexes of other dogs. Great dog! He has a marvelous loving personality. He is a TriColor Shepherd/Husky mix but looks all Shepherd. About 2 years old. He is neutered and current on shots and ready for a good home. A surrender because he was not allowed in the owner’s rental. San Luis Valley Animal Welfare Society · www.slvaws.org ADOPTION FAIRS Every Saturday from 11am to 5pm at the PetSmart Store at 7680 N. Academy Blvd. near Chapel Hills in Colorado Springs
Vieques Humane Society - Vieques, Puerto Rico, a small island located off the mainland’s east coast, for many years offered no veterinary or animal rescue services. During the early 1980’s, a handful of concerned immigrants from the states and a few local residents took a serious interest in improving the welfare of the animals. They began by feeding the island’s multitudinous strays and soliciting the help of veterinarians from Puerto Rico to sterilize them. By 1987, the Vieques Humane Society and Animal Rescue, Inc. was officially established as a non-profit organization. Today they still offer the only veterinary services on the island and have developed strong community based programs.
See available dogs at www.viequeshumanesociety.org · CWWC will help you cover adoption fees - 719.687.9742
Colorado Wolf And Wildlife Center | PO Box 713 | Divide, CO 80814 | 719.687.9742 | www. wolfeducation.org
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Colorado Wolf And Wildlife Center | PO Box 713 | Divide, CO 80814 | 719.687.9742 | www. wolfeducation.org