Sawtooth Legacy Winter Quarterly

Here’s a Howl out to my Bro’s in Florida… What’s it like in the Gator State?

Wish you were here...

Fun in the sun, Food and the Digs are great...

Big Oak ROCKS!

Winter 2010 W hat’s In s i d e Facethe to Face with(pg the 4) Owyhee Pack (pgSouth 4) Face with Sawtooth (pg (pg 14) 12) Ask Biologist Pack Owyhee (pgto6)Face A Native AmericanPack Legend Wolf Behavior 101 (pg 16) & Research (pg 18) (pg 20) (pgEducation 16) Visitor Center Update (pgKids 17)page Adoption page (pg18) Improvements at the Center (pg 21) Online Community Page (pg 20) Meet the Staff (pg 21) Kids page (pg 23)

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No organization can operate without a dedicated staff, board of directors, and team of volunteers and interns. The Wolf Center is blessed to have some of the finest and most committed in all those categories.

With various backgrounds in business, engineering, wildlife management, and more, we blend personalities together with the hope of serving the mission of the Wolf Education & Research Center.

Winter 2010

Table of Contents

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Douglas Christensen, Idaho Board of Directors Doug.Christensen@wolfcenter.org Roy Farrar, Idaho Board of Directors Roy.Farrar@wolfcenter.org

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Sharon Lander, California Board of Directors, Treasurer Sharon.Lander@wolfcenter.org Dennis Olson, Montana Board of Directors Dennis.Olson@wolfcenter.org

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Jayme Burch, Oregon Board of Directors Jayme.Burch@wolfcenter.org

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Danielle Hawthorne, Connecticut Board of Directors Danielle.Hawthorne@wolfcenter.org

WERC STAFF

Chris Anderson Executive Director Chris.Anderson@wolfcenter.org Jeremy Heft Wildlife Biologist Jeremy.Heft@wolfcenter.org Randy Stewart On-Site Education & Tours Randy.Stewart@wolfcenter.org Wolf Education & Research Center PO Box 12604 Portland, Oregon 97212

NEW!(888) 422-1110 info@wolfcenter.org www.wolfcenter.org

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Executive Director’s Letter . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Ask the Biologist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Wolf Center Adopts New Ideas . . . . . . . . . 6 A Native American Legend . . . . . . . . . 12 Wolf Behavior 101. . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Visitor’s Center Update . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Adoption Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 News and Current Events . . . . . . . . . . 19 Online Community Page . . . . . . . . . . 20 Meet the Staff – Randy Stewart Bio . . . . . . 21 Kids Page - Pack Facts and Fun . . . . . . . 23

Send us your photos for a future collage from visitors and members! info@wolfcenter.org

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Article

Dear Friends of Wolf Recovery, Last year there were several articles produced by philanthropy and economy journals that cited the paths that would have to be traveled for nonprofits to survive. Many of these magazines estimated that numerous organizations would fail because of the economy and due to changing values about how people give during tumultuous national times. Coming out of a dismal fund raising year that WERC experience in 2008, we entered 2009 in a near panic.

And rightfully so as we had only, that previous Spring, brought five new wolves to our Center and committed with you to care for them.

I’m not sure if you relate to the position I’m writing to you today from. But my sense is that many of you understand when I talk about our situation as it has been recounted to me time and time again how many homes are suffering through great losses and the resulting uncertainty of their financial future. It’s no surprise that when our organization has been built on these people’s generosity that it would translate into some tough times for us.

Amidst those circumstances, however, some profoundly positive events have happened this year and it’s always rewarding to share those items. t 'PSFNPTU JO UIF 8PMG $FOUFS T TUBą NJOET JT UIBU XF TVSWJWFE UIF ZFBS XIFO XF UIPVHIU PVS EPPST NJHIU CF DMPTJOH MBTU TVNNFS 8F SF CZ OP NFBOT PVU PG UIF XPPET CVU TPNFUJNFT XF IBWF UP CF DPOUFOU XJUI TVSWJWBM t 0UIFS FWFOUT JODMVEFE IPTUJOH PVS JOBVHVSBM 4VNNFS $FMFCSBUJPO XIFSF XF XFMDPNFE UIF 0XZIFF 1BDL UP UIF $FOUFS *O BEEJUJPO JU XBT B HSFBU UJNF UP BDLOPXMFEHF +FSFNZ )FGU GPS IJT NFBOJOHGVM BOE EFEJDBUFE TFSWJDF UP UIF 4BXUPPUI 1BDL BOE PVS NFNCFST *U XBT B XPOEFSGVM UJNF UP TQFOE XJUI NBOZ PG ZPV BOE XF SF QMBOOJOH PVS 4VNNFS $FMFCSBUJPO BMSFBEZ t 8&3$ BEEFE UXP OFX CPBSE NFNCFST UIJT ZFBS 8F XFMDPNFE %BOJFMMF )BXUIPSOF B MPOH UJNF TVQQPSUFS GSPN $POOFDUJDVU BOE +BNJF #VSDI BOPUIFS MPOH UJNF WPMVOUFFS BOE TVQQPSUFS GSPN 0SFHPO t 8F JNQSPWFE PVS NBHB[JOF CZ BEEJOH i"TL UIF #JPMPHJTUw BOE FYQBOEFE PVS i8PMG #FIBWJPS w XIJDI XJMM CFDPNF JUT PXO QVCMJDBUJPO JO t 8&3$ SFMFBTFE B OFX BOE JNQSPWFE XFCTJUF BOOPVODJOH UIF BEEJUJPO PG UIF 0XZIFF 1BDL 4PVUI UP PVS DPMMBCPSBUJWF PVUSFBDI These are only a few accomplishments we experienced this year and our hope is that 2010 will produce an even more exciting year. Looking forward, we’ve laid the foundation for many new programs and should our fortune, however modest, continue, we’ll be unfolding the following in the coming months: t 1BDL 0XZIFF B , FEVDBUJPOBM PVUSFBDI SPPUFE JO UIF WJUBM SPMF XPMWFT BOE PUIFS QSFEBUPST QMBZ JO IFBMUIZ FDPTZTUFNT t 1BTTQPSU UP 8PMWFT B DPMMBCPSBUJWF PVUSFBDI XJUI /PSUI "NFSJDB T XPMG DFOUFST 8F WF BMSFBEZ CSPVHIU JO #JH 0BL 8PMG 4BODUVBSZ XIJDI ZPV DBO SFBE BCPVU JO UIJT JTTVF t 8PMG #FIBWJPS 1VCMJDBUJPO PWFS UIF QBTU GFX ZFBST XF WF BNBTTFE B USFNFOEPVT SFTPVSDF BOE XJMM DPNQJMF JU GPS PVS FEVDBUJPOBM QVSQPTFT BOE UFBDIJOH These continue to be exciting yet precarious times. I’ve said it before and until we’re out of the woods, I’ll keep say it that we have to continue planning simultaneously to succeed while planning to fail. The economy and our commitment to you require it. With your continued help, we’ll succeed and keep our commitment to the seven wolves in Winchester, their wild cousins, the classrooms we reach into each year, and the tens of thousands of people who read our website, this magazine, and walk our trails each year.

If you get this magazine, it’s because you support us already. Will you make it your goal that we survive to continue representing you? That commitment will help guide your imagination at what the possibilities may be.

Thank you for your faithful support.

Chris Anderson,

Executive Director Wolf Education & Research Center Fall 2009 SLq

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Ask the Biologist

by Jeremy Heft

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by Jeremy Heft

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ork on wolves? w e in c c va s ie b 1. Does the ra recognized by the FDA? the so, why is it not

eness of gnize the effectiv co re lly cia offi t do no ry to prove g Administration nsive tests necessa ru te D ex d e an th od ed Fo rm S rfo The U not pe l subjects, in es because it has , the experimenta lv ch wo ar se in re e in ch cc su va g Durin rabies the disease. ns for evidence of lit y of the vaccine. ai bi br pa ca eir e th e tiv in en ev am up to one to ex the pr y wolves, possibly need to be killed d an ul m wo of es hs lv at de wo e se th easy to see this ca quire ed species, so it is entation would re er rim ng pe da ex en e th an e, as or d Theref re liste wolf facilities recently wolves we any other captive til m d un e an nc C Si ER d.

W re hund ge, no wolf ucted. . To my knowled not yet been cond s lts ha su re ch e ar iv se sit re po ch ith ew why su uld believe ccine as a preventiv anecdota lly we co va so es , bi es ra bi e ra th ed er ct ist ra admin has cont g on having istered the vaccine tes who are work in in ca m vo ad ad lf en be wo s e m ha that are so tation), but on wolves. There l letha l experimen rk na wo tio di es do tra e e in th t cc the va s merit in (withou lieve the vaccine ha vaccine for wolves e be th we e e, ov im pr nt ap ea A m the FD ng. In the y years of convinci hcare of the pack s. this will ta ke man ate it into our healt or rp co in to ue in nt wolves and will co

2. How can I tell what percentage of my wolf-dog hybrid is wolf?

This is a popular question among hybrid owners, but unfortunately most of those owners do not like the answer. To date, the only verifiable way to determine the heredity of any canine is through accurate breeding/husbandry records. A blood test or physica l examination of the canine will not suffice. Since only the most respected and professional breeders, who typically do not deal in wolves or hybrids, maintain such records, most hybrid owners can never know the extent of wolf in their canine. This fact complicates the legal aspects of keeping hybrids (or wolves) in society.

Regardless, any canine that may possess any wolf in their recent heritage should be handled as a potentia lly dangerous animal due to the unknown amount of wild instinct present.

3. Is it legal to own a wolf?

The only federal The legalities of owning a wolf or hybrid depends on the state where you reside. the regulations er thereaft but ip, ownersh for wild the of out rule is that no wolf can be taken an “exotic” animal. vary by state. Some states, such as Idaho, require a simple permit to possess settings standards by wolf a own to difficult it making are ia, Where other states, such as Californ from access to the on how the wolf or hybrid must be maintained and preventing the canine public occur, it is very public. As more negative encounters between “domestic” wolves and the in society. Wolves likely more states will follow suit with strict regulations on wolves or hybrids where their instincts belong in the wild, where they are harmless to humans, not in backyards humans, or both. and poor care eventua lly will create a very negative outcome for the wolf, the offspring (a Furthermore, wolves should never be bred with dogs, as experience has shown ation of dogs and hybrid) is more dangerous than any wolf or dog. More laws limiting hybridiz wolves is inevitable in the near future.

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Ask the Biologist

4. Do the Sawto

oth and Owyh

ee Packs hunt in The Saw tooth an their enclosures? d Ow yhee Pack s hunt any small m bird that flies ov am er the fence into mal that slips th rough the fence their enclosures. both enclosures or any There is a large m that the wolves sn eadow vole popu ack on occasiona are frequent visit la tio lly n in . ors or possibly ev In addition, squi en residents with rrels, mice, and routinely visit th in ra th bb e its e enclosure daily enclosures. Man , most of which y birds, large and to their easy esca feed on the suet small, pe capabilities, m (fa t) off the wolves’ ost birds evade at away. The top fiv food. Due tack and return e most common as soon as the w ly caught prey in grouse, squirrels, ol ves move sid e the enclosures ar and chipmunks. e (in order) voles, R avens are a very extensively off th co mice, m e pack s’ food. R mon resident arou avens are occasio nd both pack s, fe defense, but the na lly killed by th ed ing wolves never eat e wolves, presum the ravens, theref Interestingly, this ab ly or in e fo ra od vens cannot be co has been docum ented in nearly ev nsidered a prey sp ecies. er y other situatio n where wolves an live together, bo d ravens th in captivity an d the wild. Even though the pack s can munch on as many of the sm mammals and bi 5. At what tempera all rd s they wish, this st ture do wolves feel ill only comprise a tiny fraction of cold? s what the pack s ea Gray wolves are bu t. Hunting insid the enclosure is ilt for cold and snow e much more inst y conditions, so wi is not quite as difficu inct driven than nter lt for them as some survival requirem a other species. In fac wolves probably ha en t. t, ve the advantage in the winter over th prey mak ing life ev eir en easier. Most gr ay wolves live in are that experience extre as me winter weather, so they have adapted anatomica l and behaviora l traits to endure these tough condition s. Specifica lly regard ing extreme cold temperatures, wolves possess a th ick sub-cuticle (below the sk in) fat layer and a thick do uble-layered fur coat that insulat es them from the co ld. Since it is not possible for wolve s to inform us when they “feel” cold, we must watch for changes in their behavior to determine if the co ld temperature is aff ecting their life. In my 12 year s with the Sawtooth Pack, I have only rarely obser ve d very minor fluctu ations in some behaviors presumed to be caused by the cold. Examples of these behaviors include alterations in energ y levels (usually increasing energ y/movement), seeking sun to lie in, and curling up into tight circles with their tails covering their muzzle s. I have not witness ed any of these behaviors at tempe ratures above -5 F degrees though.

However, I have als o persona lly witness ed no change in behavior down to -20 F, so the behavio rs are likely dependant on each individua l and curre nt circumstance more than just the sev erity of the cold. W ild wolves have been documented to withstand temperat ures as low as -40 F, and there is no documentation on healthy wolves succumbing to hypo thermia, so we hone stly do not know what the cold toler ance for wolves is.

In my opinion, wolves probably do not “feel” cold like we do until the temperature dives to at least below zero.

Receive this Limited Edition Print,

“Sawtooth Pack Reflections” or the Scott Doing art print with any gift over $100!

Limited to the first 100 donations.

www.wolfcenter.org or fill out the form on Page 18.

Winter 2010 SLq

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Pack Owyhee South

By WERC Staff

Pack Owyhee across America

Wolf Center Adopts

New Ideas The year 2008 was a pivotal year

for the Wolf Education and Research Center. In April that year, a unique opportunity presented itself. Many of WERC’s supporters recall the events that unfolded, allowing WERC to take possession of five gray wolves, animals that had been neglected to the point of their lives being endangered and increased chances of escape and death from law enforcement or wary neighbors. With the help of the Owyhee County Sheriff’s Department and the United States Department of Agriculture, our team made recommendations about the condition of the wolves and assisted with the removal and placement of the animals. In all, wolves were one of the smaller populations of animals removed, as the Idaho Humane Society participated in the removal and placement of bobcats as well as other animals.

The arrival of new wolves at the Winchester site of the Wolf Center was a welcome and exciting event. Contributors expressed their support by donating generously and affirming that WERC had indeed moved in a direction they were supportive of. There were many questions about what happened to the other 12 wolves and the bobcats. In this article, I’m excited to share a project that has been in formation since that cold day in Murphy, Idaho when two organizations took responsibility for 17 neglected wolves.

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Pack Owyhee South

During the entire morning of the day the animals were removed, word had been shared that an individual from Florida had been driving through the night to arrive in time to return with twelve wolves.

The mood was pensive, at best, as to how this individual would possibly return to Florida with twelve sedated animals when we were concerned about the six hour drive to Winchester, Idaho. When he arrived, there was even more apprehension as he arrived alone, having lost his copilot somewhere in the Midwest due to some unforeseen circumstances.

Our team had been very efficient about bringing the sedated animals to a makeshift staging area, a rural fire station, where they were checked for their genders, checked for or micro-chipped, inoculated,

and placed in kennels for transport. Many news stations were conducting interviews about the circumstances, hoping for some seductive piece of journalism that would give them the day’s ratings. They were limited to the staging area, however, as the authorities present prevented the property/facility owner from being unduly harassed, however abhorrent the circumstances were.

The full size pick-up truck pulling a covered trailer did a half circle around the large driveway in front of the fire station before backing the trailer up to the door outside the volunteer area where a dozen wolves were either laying on the floor being examined or already in kennels for travel. A quick look into the trailer caused a little alarm as we knew he would have

Opposite Left: Sampson (Alaskan Tundra Wolf) shows a developmentally disabled volunteer (Kyle) some affection at Big Oak Wolf Sanctuary.

Above: Despite the scars from her previous living conditions, Eve, paired with Malachi at Big Oak Wolf Sanctuary still displays her breathtaking beauty. to stack the kennels, not exactly advisable when dealing with wolves coming out of sedation.

“I’m John Knight from Big Oak Wolf Sanctuary” the man with about a 6’1” 250 pound frame said as he held out an arm wrestler’s grip. He had arrived and following some introductions, we

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Top Left: Spirit (½ Alaskan Interior, ½ Arctic) Wolf naps in her tree house Bottom Left: John (left) and Bill (right) constructing one of the elevated platforms that cover the 13 pool houses at Big Oak Wolf Sanctuary.

Right: Sarah (wolfdog) and Sampson critiquing some personal friends of Big Oak Wolf Sanctuary Founders.

began carrying kennels into the trailer to get him, and our people, on the road. Before leaving, John made sure to get our information so we could remain connected. As fast as he’d arrived, he was gone, driving solo en route to Green Cove Springs, Florida and the Big Oak Wolf Sanctuary.

Reconnecting with Big Oak

It was six months before I spoke to John again but when I did, I knew he was a kindred spirit. His obvious passion for the wolves he’d helped to remove by way of providing a home to, was only outdescribed and demonstrated by his desire to serve people. At first, it wasn’t obvious what that meant—wolves, people with special needs—I couldn’t really put it together.

Back in Winchester, we had fondly referred to the five as the Owyhee Pack, somehow to tie them historically to their place of origin. They didn’t have quite the dramatic

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story of the Sawtooth Pack: Wolves of the Nez Perce. We knew, however, they had a dramatic future as part of our efforts to get people face to face with nature through exposure to wolves. Our distinct and deliberate plan was to let the animals acclimate to their surroundings and at a time determined by our resident wolf biologist, Jeremy Heft, we would allow the public to begin viewing them. Not before they were determined to be ready though.

In Green Cove Springs, it was a different story unfolding. Without the presence of a biologist on his team, John began acclimating the twelve wolves to people.

First, to himself and his wife. Next to the volunteers and his team at Big Oak Wolf Sanctuary. And finally to the people that are the heart of their mission. You see, the mission of the Big Oak Wolf Sanctuary is to “provide permanent sanctuary for abused and unlawfully obtained/owned wolves, and then, to involve the ‘rescued’ wolves in helping the physically and

developmentally disabled find a renewed enthusiasm for life through volunteer opportunities.”

When I discovered this about their mission, I discovered much about our friend, John Knight. And that discovery led to many conversations about the future of wolf recovery and conservation in the United States, including the emerging reality that organizations like ours were going to find it necessary to begin helping each other to survive.

WERC Looks Forward

As WERC began developing our own adoption campaign in 2009, one of our board members, Jaymie Burch said, “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could get wolf centers across the country to join our adoption efforts?” As you can imagine, we began exploring and what we found was simultaneously frightful and encouraging.

For starters, many programs are on the verge of the same fate as the wolves we

Pack Owyhee South advocate for. The most common reasons include the obvious, the US economy, but also include reasons that are hard to know where to stand. Earlier this year, a letter went out from my office at the Wolf Center, stating that each time a stuffed animal was given away by some of the larger advocacy groups, resources were sucked out of the budget at the Wolf Center. The reality is simply that people are narrowing their focus. Whereas individuals may have supported three, four, maybe five organizations in the 90’s, today’s economic downturn requires they focus on giving the same and sometimes less funding to fewer organizations.

The end result is that organizations like WERC and Big Oak are suffering financially. Many small nonprofits such as ours are suffering. Economists remain committed to the projections that tens of thousands of nonprofits will continue failing as they are unable to weather the national financial storm and compete with larger organizations that can afford

to stay on message day in and day out. We can’t fault them; they’re doing what we’d do if we had the resources. It’s called top of mind and it is critical to survival in the business world.

There is a cost, however, when you consider the measurable value smaller organizations such as WERC play. We literally correspond and reach out to several thousand people every year on behalf of education about wolves and their vital role in the ecosystem. The larger organizations are questionably effective at the level and purpose which they operate. Their primary function has been to leverage vast amounts of resources toward public relations and litigation campaigns about the federal and state responses to wolf management.

The question begs to be asked, however, is it working? In my short tenure in wolf recovery, I count three administrations now that have all been lobbied for these outcomes, two of the three traditionally like-minded in environmental values, yet no more supportive than the reputed

administration that was “against” recovery.

There are many markers of success and it shouldn’t be implied that there has not been success.

When you measure outcomes, however, is there any substitute for changing the hearts and minds of people toward your mission? WERC is firmly committed to our education outreach that demonstrates this approach — a patient and methodic instruction about wolves, their role as predators, and their critical contribution to preserving a larger environment.

When WERC considers our future, it is apparent that other organizations are facing the same challenges that we face. In discussing these challenges with the fellow leaders of other organizations, we realize that we need to step up in their defense and in doing so, continue defining our emerging role as leaders in the community of advocates and enthusiasts.

Top Left: John Knight building the support structure of one of the 13 underground dens at Big Oak Wolf Sanctuary Top Right: Angel (left and Amos (right) lift their voices in praise!

Bottom Left: Spirit enjoying one of the pure hearts that bring out the part of them seldom seen by the rest of us.

Bottom Right: Debra Knight, Big Oak Wolf Sanctuary Co-founder and Spirit relax together in the tree house.

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Pack Owyhee South

Top Left: Sarah, Spirit and Sampson bonding in their tree house

What’s the Plan?

In short, and beginning with Big Oak Wolf Sanctuary, the Wolf Education & Research Center will begin working to establish adoption campaigns that mutually benefit both of our programs.

Our team at WERC has created a template for adoptions that will provide awareness of the plight of other programs while seeking broader funding for our collaborative initiatives. You can view this template on our website on the Adoptions page.

WERC will retain a portion of the funding that covers our cost of management while sending a portion to the participating organization. For each $25 adoption, Big Oak will receive $7.50 for which they have absolutely no overhead costs. In the end, the adoption costs would provide an equal distribution to each of us in addition to many other benefits.

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Bottom Left: Sampson being stalked by an extremely dangerous predator. Well, not exactly…

Above: Michaela (Black Wolf, left), 13 year old Moses (middle) and Spirit (right) showing interest in the camera (zoomed from 200 yards away)

Those benefits include expanded awareness as visitors come to our website, read our publications, find our brochures and rack cards in regional recreational information and travel centers, and place strategic advertising in travel publications.

The Wolf Center website alone gets more than 10,000 unique visitors each month who are searching for information about wolves. Another benefit is that in the face of a troubled economy, we can still promote people getting face to face with wolves by promoting wolf programs in their areas. Why come to Idaho? While we’d love to see you here, it’s getting more difficult for our supporters to visit because of the cost and many choose to send us the funds instead of experiencing the cost of travel.

The most significant benefit, in the end, is

that we are working toward our mission of getting people face to face with wolves through the strategic use of all of our resources. That is how the landscape of wolf recovery will be changed and through this change, the reality that other species face may be changed as well.

When you flip through these pages while reading, WERC is proud to introduce you to the Owyhee Pack South. It’s a natural partnership as these sibling wolves overcame certain destruction to become servants to their cousins and to humans who interact with them. Please join WERC in support of wolf recovery and educational outreach about wolves by joining our adoption campaign and helping not one but two organizations and the wolves we care for survive.

Pack Owyhee South

The Mission of Big Oak Wolf Sanctuary is to provide permanent sanctuary for abused and unlawfully obtained/owned wolves, and then, to involve the “rescued” wolves in helping the physically and developmentally disabled find a renewed enthusiasm for life through volunteer opportunities.

Gabriel As alpha male of the Owyhee Pack, Gabriel has a strong yet calm presence. He is one of the boldest of his pack; he often approaches humans at the fence and will sometimes lie down there to enjoy the company for awhile.

Malachi Malachi is mostly silver in color, with longer white fur covering his head, shoulders, back, and the tip of his tail. He can often be found surveying the sanctuary from the top of his tall wooden platform like a king.

Luke Luke’s massive and regal appearance is the pictureperfect image of the wild wolf. His personality captures many classic traits of the wolf as well with a calm, yet cautious, demeanor.

Rebecca Rebecca is the omega of the Owyhee Pack. She is an elusive wolf to spot, as she spends more time down in her den than above ground with the other wolves. Despite her rank and shy nature, she is a formidable pack member.

Eve Eve is a shy wolf and most do not often get a glimpse of her, but when she is out and about, her beautiful bright coat allows her to stand out among the trees and shade.

Wisdom Wisdom’s name is very well-suited to him and his appearance as an old, wise wolf. He spends much of the day silently lounging in the shade of his enclosure’s giant oak trees

Lydia Lydia shares her enclosure with Luke. She often rests near the front of the enclosure, and is one of the few who will approach the fence, albeit with care and caution.

Jezebel Jezebel (or “Jessie”) is the alpha female of the Owyhee Pack. Jezebel does not mind those who pass her enclosure, and enjoys resting in the company of her packmates.

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A Native American Legend

A Native American Legend Once Upon A Time, there was a wolf, and this wolf was all alone. All of the other wolves had been caught or killed or driven off. But this last wolf, he stayed. And he did all of the usual wolfish things. He lived in a cave high up in the hills. He raided the occasional flock for a stray sheep.

He also would appear from time to time late in the evening on a trail from the fields running down to the village to frighten some milk maid or herds boy coming home a little too late from the watch. And this gave rise to the stories of great, gnarled, bloody teeth and wet, long, lolling tongue and fiery, red, hungry eyes... the wolf had quite a reputation in the village.

But that was not the worst of it. The most horrible thing of all, the thing that froze the souls of the old men, and caused the red faces of the young people to blanche, and the heads of the children to go deep under bed covers at night was what the wolf would do from time to time, in the cold crackling air of the frosty silver moon, high on the stark peak of the stoney mountain near the village. He would sit up there and howl, howl with the sound of a thousand midnights down in a murky bog. Those who heard it swore it was a sound that only a beast could make whose soul was tortured and lost forever. And it chilled to the marrow everyone who heard it... everyone, that is, except one person.

For living in the village was a boy who had lived there all of his life. And yet no one really knew this boy. I mean, he spoke to folks, and they spoke to him. But no one really understood him or cared to. Even his

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parents were at a loss to understand his ways and his thoughts. So they mostly humored him. And the boy would lie awake in his bed at night wondering about his life and why he felt so lost among the villagers. And sometimes he would cry or sometimes he would be angry. But when he heard the call of the wolf on the mountain, right away he knew that here was a voice the like of which he’d not heard before. Here was a voice that spoke to him of feelings no one else knew that he had. And lying there and listening with every fiber of his body, he knew he had to seek out this wolf and know from it why it cried in the night. Oh, he’d heard the stories of the teeth, the tongue, the eyes so red and burning, but nothing would do except that he had to know that wolf for himself.

And so one day, before the sun rose, he set out on the road to the mountain where it was said the wolf made his den. It was a long road and a steep one, but the boy took no stick, nor wore no hat to guard him from the sun. And it was a dangerous journey to be sure, but the boy took no weapon to defend himself. And though the country was barren and rocky and not fruitful where he was going, the boy took no food nor drink to sustain him. And though he’d never been on this way before, he followed no map, but went the way of his heart, come what may. It was sometime at the end of a day’s travel that he began to grow thirsty and the emptiness inside him began to make itself known in his stomach. He walked, becoming even more thirsty until darkness overcame him and he was forced to stop for the night in some trees near the road. And as he sat hungry and thirsty in the growing darkness, he

A Native American Legend

thought for a moment about turning back and rushing blindly down the path and back to the village. But he knew that was not the way for him. So he sat for a long while shivering in the night and then lay down finally to sleep. In his dreams, the moon shone silver on the frosty stones, the air was clear and crisp, and the voice of the wolf rang out from the top of one of the peaks, calling out the way ahead, perhaps his way. He awoke in the dawn with a start, wondering if the dream had been real, and the wolf had actually called in the night.

He rose, still hungry, and continued on his way. Soon the path grew steeper and rockier.

As the sun was moving high and the day was warming, the boy noticed ahead of him a flock of birds swooping and playing in a small pool beside the road.

The boy rushed to the water, fell on his belly and drank his fill. When he rose, the birds were watching him silently from a nearby tree limb. Realizing he had interrupted their play, he smiled and thanked them for letting him drink and continued on the path. Though his thirst was slaked, still an emptiness was burning deep in his belly. And as he walked, once again thoughts came to him of quitting, of just sitting down under a tree to wait for whatever might happen.

And what if he never got up again? Would anyone miss him or come to find him? But something told him this was not the end of his journey. If he did not continue he would never know what was at the end of the path or why the wolf cried so in the night. And so he decided to continue walking knowing not what lay ahead of him.

You can imagine how relieved he was after several minutes to see beside the path a clump of bushes that were heavy and inviting with

red, juicy berries. He rushed to them and began to pick and eat the sweet, ripe berries.

But then he heard a noise. And looking up, he came face to face with a very large and hairy bear. The bear was only a few feet away in the bushes himself eating the tasty berries, The boy realized that those large arms were entirely capable of reaching out to catch at him and crush the life out of him. And so he did not move, but stood with the berries still sweet on his tongue, his lips red with juice, his cheeks now white with fright.

But the bear only stared and waited too... for a moment. And then the long white teeth showed in his fuzzy face, and one massive set of claws moved... and he began to pick and munch more of the ripe berries. The boy, realizing that the bear was hungry only for berries, smiled and began to breathe again, and went back to eating as well. After several minutes of filling himself, the boy was ready to move along, and, smiling and waving to his friend, he left the bushes and continued on the path.

A way up the path the boy noticed it was becoming steeper and so much harder to travel. And he was beginning to wonder when or how or if he would ever see his wolf and meet his wolf and know his wolf and be able to answer the strange desire he held within him to feel what the wolf felt deep in the night. Suddenly he heard a noise; A stone tumbled; and the clatter echoed as the boy froze on the trail. His eyes darted left and right, looking for the source of the movement when something large moved and leaped into the path. His heart stopped, then began to beat again as he saw the visitor clearly. It wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t the wolf at all, but a small deer, a yearling, a young male whose nubbish horns were

Winter 2010 SLq

13

A Native American Legend

just beginning to show on the top of his head. The two of them stared at one another for a moment, curious, fearless, silent.

The deer gazed at the boy wide-eyed. The boy gazed back, and suddenly he was concerned that the young fellow might be in danger.

And he spoke quietly to the young deer.

“Oh, do be careful here. There’s a bear down the path a way. And a wolf about, I think.

I’m searching for that wolf myself, but you? I don’t think you are ready to meet him.”

The deer stared back in wonder and listening.” Be careful, little man. Up here all alone and so friendly. Be wary of those who would hurt you.”

And with that the boy walked on slowly toward the deer who started and scampered away into the rocks. The boy walked smiling to himself as he thought of the deer now safely hidden in the rocks. Hiding until he grew strong and large enough to defend himself against a bear or a wolf.

As he was thinking of this, he noticed the darkening sky and the cold chill of the deepening night air as it gathered about him. He continued along the bare path, trying not too look too far to left or right, trying to keep his footing, wondering if he had been wise in coming here, if he had been right in seeking the wolf in such a lonely and desolate place. He was growing more unsure of each step as he moved carefully and slowly up the path. When suddenly... he saw something... no felt something ahead.

It might have been nothing. It might have been a shadow crossing the moon. It might have been everything he sought.

14 SLq Winter 2010

His heart beat faster. His head grew light, but his eyes stayed sharp as he stared ahead of him up the trail. He waited quietly for another sign, and soon came his reward as the shadows moved up ahead and became living and breathing flesh. There on four paws, eyes reflecting his own bright gaze, head still as stone and pointing down the trail toward him, was the wolf.

He could not move. The red eyes, the great tongue, the huge claws flashed in his memory. But as he stared, he saw none of them. He could also recall the song that had drawn him here, the singer from the distant night, now only yards from him, breathing in the cold night, and exhaling hot steam.

And as he stood, peering into the wild eyes before him, remembering that sad, sweet song, he felt his heart soften and his fear evaporate. His eyes filled and, without warning, he knew why he had come here. He knew in that instant what he had traveled to find, what he had heard in that song, what he had embraced in his lonely bed as he had lain awake, listening and wanting. He knew that the song had been a cry for an end to solitude. The cry was to banish aloneness.

It had reached out across the miles and the years and touched him. And it had guided him. He knew this now.

And so with his heart full and his eyes afire with understanding, the boy faced the wolf and he spoke back... with his smile. And in that instant, the two... boy and wolf... were one heart.

It is said the boy never returned to the life he had known in the village. No one there could really be sure of his fate. No one would ever go looking. But there is one tale, told by

A Native American Legend

a brave hunter who became lost after chasing a large deer up the mountain one day. When he returned, he told a wild and unbelievable story of seeing a boy and a wolf through the trees, lying asleep together under a tree some distance away. But as he made his way thrashing and crashing through the forest to where he thought he would rescue the lad, he became lost, and could no longer see nor find them. And so he returned to his safe villager’s life, speaking in hushed tones of his brief glimpse of another life he could never understand. And as the people listened to his story told over and over again until the words were worn, and as the long years passed, some who listened would laugh, some would weep quietly, a few would cross themselves in disgust, and, once and again, some few would take heart and lie awake at night listening with hope to the strange and wolfish duet, sung high upon a distant peak in the silver moonlight.

forcraftssake.net “We support Wolf Recovery!”

We feature Pretty Punch & Bumble Bee Embroidery products. Also handmade jewelry, unique beaded items, beaded kits and a line of lampwork beads!

Winter 2010 SLq

15

Wolf Behavior 101

by Jeremy Heft

Lesson 14: Stiff Legged Jump

H

ave you ever watched a dog try to break ice by pounding on it with their front legs? This usually comical behavior is actually an official recognized behavior among wolves. It is known as a stiff legged jump, and it includes the wolf rearing up on his hind legs and slamming both straightened and held rigid front legs down to the ground.

The wolf throws significant weight into the pounding of the front legs creating a great deal of downward force. Just like

16 SLq Winter 2010

dogs, this behavior is most commonly used to break ice in order to obtain the unfrozen water below. Dogs may do stiff legged jumps on frozen puddles or ponds by rudimentary instinct, but when remaining hydrated in the wild is a factor of life or death, the behavior could hold significant importance. However, at some point the ice becomes too thick to break, at which point wolves (and dogs) simply eat snow to obtain water. Another important function of the stiff legged jump is to pin small mammals when hunting. Such small prey as voles and mice become trapped by the fast and heavy front legs, allowing the wolf to easily inflict a lethal bite and successfully obtain the nutrients of the small snack. Foxes and coyotes also use this behavior when hunting,

but occasionally jump off the ground to increase speed and weight, which creates the well-known exaggerated hunting leap of a fox. So the next time you witness this quite funny behavior in a dog, while you are smiling and laughing at them you can also realize the behavior has a history with a very serious purpose among wolves and other wild canids.

Visitor’s Center UPDATE Winter Needs at the Wolf Center

By Randy Stewart The winter season began a little over two weeks ago with below freezing temperatures and a little snow in Winchester, Idaho. Minus 18 degrees is the low for the season so far. Since then, the snow has built up to about a foot on site however; we know that we will have more cold weather and lots of white stuff fall before spring arrives.

In considering outlining our needs for the winter season here at WERC, honestly, the only item that will benefit the organization here in Winchester is your generous and continued financial support of WERC. We continue providing educational opportunities as they arise and I assist Jeremy with pack-care related items. As you know, it is a 24 hour per day, 365 day per year job to ensure that the wolves are properly cared for. So far, we have been able to continue this excellence of care that WERC is known for.

Replacing an aged plow truck or the even older snow mobile is not practical at this time, unless one of our supporters has an extra one they are willing to donate or work out a deal. However, having funds available for repairs that will invariably be needed is the reality of the situation.

Although many of you are warm weather folks by choice, come on over to see us this winter. If you get cold, we’ll turn on the heater at the Visitor’s Center. If you get wet, we’ll provide towels to dry off. The

Piyip (left) and Leq’eyleq’ey (right) enjoying the new snow at the Wolf Center.

important thing is that during this time of year, the wolves are much more active and the chance of you to ‘Get Face to Face with Wolves’ is better.

.6+ !1

*(32

-# #(2".5$18

1/4 Page AD for OBDK

Owl Brand Discovery Kits recognizes the importance of teaching prey predator relationships.

We are proud to support the efforts of WERC and will include brochures in every science lab between now and the end of 2009 including WERC’s Pack Owyhee promotion in our instruction manuals. In addition, Owl Brand family of businesses will market Pack Owyhee to our teachers to promote wolf adoption and education.

Learn how you can make science hand-on and exciting at www.obdk.com. Serving K-12 educators, camps, and teachers since 1996.

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Author name, info...

Article

Wolf Center Adoption Program

Owyhee Pack

It costs nearly $60,000 per year to care for 7 wolves, including their health and upkeep, food that is not donated, and the maintenance of the Wolf Camp.

The Wolf Center’s ability to carry out this function depends on your continued support. If you haven’t considered it, please adopt. And maybe consider giving an adoption to someone else so they can learn about this valuable program.

Sex: Male Age: 5-6 years

Please help preserve the legacy of the Sawtooth Pack by helping us out today.

Owyhee Pack: Q Himtuuqin’ (Bearded One) . $25 Q XayXayx (White Watcher) . . $25 Q MiyooXat (Wise Giant) . . . . $25

Q Kuckuc (Little Gray Girl) . . $25 Q Leq’ey leq’ey (Gentle Water) $25

Sawtooth Pack: Q Motoki. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25

NEW! Owyhee Pack South: Q Q Q Q

Wisdom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25 Eve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25 Gabriel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25 Jezebel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25

Wolf Artwork: Gifts over $100 Q Scott Doing – Pencil sketch

Wolf A Himtuuqin’

Owyhee Pack Wolf B Kuckuc

Sex: Female Age: 4-5 years

Owyhee Pack

Q Piyip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25 Q Q Q Q

Lydia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25 Malachi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25 Rebecca . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25 Luke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25

Wolf C XayXayx

Sex: Female Age: 4-5 years

Owyhee Pack Wolf D Leq’eyleq’ey

Q Sawtooth Tribute Poster

Sex: Female Age: 4-5 years

Pack Owyhee: Classroom Membership

Q Membership includes: Wolf Center Classroom Poster, ClassPack Photos of the Owyhee Pack, Classport to Wolves, Wolves: IMAX DVD, Quarterly Wolf Behavior Updates . . . . . . . $150/yr Q Friend of the Sawtooth Membership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$75/yr Q Wolf Advocate Membership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $225/yr Q Sawtooth Legacy Member . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1000/yr Q Sawtooth Legacy Quarterly subscription now . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$25/yr Q I am adding a gift of $______________ to help the Wolf Center reach more people for Wolf Recovery.

Q Please mail the Adoption or Gift Adoption Packet to the following person, business, or school: Member Number ______________________________________________ Name ______________________________________________________ School/Business _______________________________________________ City ________________________________ State ____ Zip ___________ Email _______________________________ Phone (____) _____________ Please mail completed form with check or money order to: WERC, P.O. Box 12604, Portland, OR 97212 or Visit: www.wolfcenter.org, click on the “Meet Our Wolves” menu, and choose “Adopt A Wolf”

18 SLq Winter 2010

Owyhee Pack Wolf E MiyooXat

Sex: Male Age: 5-6 years

Sawtooth Pack Motoki

Sex: Female Age: 13

Sawtooth Pack Piyip

Sex: Male Age: 13

News and Current Events Owyhee Pack South Eve Sex: Female

Owyhee Pack South Gabriel Sex: Male

Owyhee Pack South Jezebel Sex: Female

Owyhee Pack South Luke Sex: Male

Owyhee Pack South Lydia

Did you know that Bank of America and Wolf Education & Research Center can reward you when you use your BofA credit card? Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s true!

Many banks have promotions that allow you to designate a charity that is special to you and each time you use your card, a portion of their earnings are set aside for that qualified charity. Last year alone, Bank of America paid the Wolf Education & Research Center more than $15,000! Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s putting your purchases to work for wolf recovery and education! For more information, you can contact Bank of America at 1-866-438-6262 and use Priority Code UAA4DM or sign up online at www.newcardonline.com. Reward yourself today!

Sex: Female

Owyhee Pack South

GoodSearch to date

Wisdom

Goodsearch.com continues to help WERC identify smaller pieces of our financial puzzle. Thanks to a handful of searchers, their search engine has generated the following results. You can magnify our results by installing their toolbar, searching and shopping from Goodsearch. The GoodSearch Toolbar works with your browser to ensure that your favorite cause earns money every time you shop and search - even if you skip coming to GoodShop or GoodSearch first! Search the web, find coupons, track donation earnings, and more!

Sex: Male

Owyhee Pack South Malachi Sex: Male

Owyhee Pack South Rebecca

In 2009, the Wolf Education & Research Center earned $99.02 from your searches and purchases. What will we do in 2010?

Month

Searches

$ Raised from Searches

$ Raised from Shopping

Total (Estimated)

Total: Year-to-Date Total: Since Inception

4042 8701

$40.42 $99.02

$37.48 $37.76

$77.90 $136.78

Sex: Female Winter 2010 SLq

19

Articleand Current Events News Author name, info...

Follow the wolves on Facebook & Twitter

With more than 1,000 Facebook Fans in two Groups, WERC is making friends for wolves. By joining the Facebook Page “Wolf Education & Research Center (WERC)” or “Wolves (WERC)” you can follow daily news items and key information about challenges facing gray wolves. Information is posted daily related to wolf behavior, predation news, population studies, and just about everything that makes headlines.

Once you’re there, follow each of the wolves by searching for their email addresses (name@wolfcenter.org). And if that’s not enough chart the progress of the Owyhee Pack South by searching for their name and see regularly updated pictures and information about wolves in Florida.

Don’t have time to surf Facebook? Then you probably want to follow us on Twitter.

When you subscribe to the Sawtooth Pack on Twitter, you’ll receive immediate notices of important articles, happenings, and Facebook postings.

You’re an important part of our community and we hope these online tools make it easier to keep track of the Packs, both at WERC and in the wilderness.

Fall 2009 2010 20 SLq Winter

by Randy Stewart

Meet the Staff

Randy Stewart

WERC Staff since 1995

My first introduction with the Wolf Education and Research Center began in 1995.

It was during an open house that was held to discuss with the local folks, what was being planned regarding having wolves in a captive environment in the area. WERC envisioned the operation to be on 300 acres of Nez Perce Tribal land, just outside the town of Winchester, Idaho.

I will provide a little background before that open house. I retired from the U.S. Navy in October 1993 and after over 21

years of service, moved to Winchester from Millington, Tennessee. In August 1993, I started the Fall semester at Lewis Clark State College (LCSC). I was going to use my GI Bill and become a high school teacher.

I have to admit that had the same general knowledge about wolves as many people have, which is that they look like dogs and ate meat, sometimes people. See, in the submarine service, wolves weren’t a part of my everyday life. And growing up in Southern California, again wolves didn’t fit in with beaches, motorcycles, and Disneyland.

I attended the open house because I had concerns about having wolves in the area since my kids were raising livestock as 4H projects. Sounds familiar doesn’t it. The folks there, and I don’t remember who all was there, stated that it was going to be safe since the wolves would be in doublefence enclosures and with staff on-site, the chances of them getting out was less then minimal. Good enough for me.

My next opportunity to interact with the staff of WERC was during the Summer of

Meet the Staff

1997. I was working at Winchester Lake State Park as the Park Interpreter and asked Keith Marshall, WERC’s biologist at the time, to come do a program about wolves for the campers. After that program, I was hooked about learning more and even possibly working with wolves in the future.

While student teaching in Culdesac, Idaho, I was able to arrange the first school group to visit WERC during the Spring of 1998. It was a wonderful visit with the class seeing wolves up close. I graduated from LCSC in the Fall of 1998 and started working at the Lapwai School District. I kept loose contact with the staff of WERC and sometime in the Summer of 1999, I was informed that the position of Educational Coordinator would be available.

Although I had started my second year at Lapwai and thoroughly enjoyed teaching there, the thought of working with wolves, educating the public, and having a 300 acre classroom enticed me to fill out an application for the position.

In October 1999, I was hired and began the process of learning what was needed to support the biologist and the care for

Winter 2010 SLq

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Meet the Staff, cont.

MEMORI AL

The Sawtooth Pack and its family join Fe’ Ironeyes in remembering Charlie Ironeyes and his passion for wolves.

Your example lives on in the lives of those who knew you.

TRI BUTE

Tribute to Tony Demalio From Joyceann Greene Merry Christmas, Tony & Stephen! xo-Joyceann TRI BUTE

the wolves. That is because their health and welfare is the number one priority.

And with the public coming up to the site, I needed to provide a program for those visitors that they wouldn’t soon forget.

Mainly, it involved getting the visitors the opportunity to see wolves since that was why they were there. With the re-introduction of Canis lupis into Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming beginning in 1995, folks were very interested in seeing and learning more about this misunderstood and mystical animal.

This morning, I woke up and still having the belief that I can help provide the necessary opportunity to help change the at-

titudes of people regarding wolves, I went to see the wolves, conducted an enclosure walk, and then came to the office. After 10 wonderful years, I know that there has been headway. At times, it has been slow in providing an environment where gray wolves can reside free of the stigma that has followed them for over a hundred years, but it is still progress.

With your continued support, your efforts to share the true facts and the belief that all animals, including the gray wolf, have a right to live in their natural environment without persecution, my position may no longer be needed. Wouldn’t that be great!

The Kidwings website was designed to teach young and old about the wonders of birds.

The most exciting part of the site is the Virtual Owl Pellet Dissection.

Many interactive activities await you as you explore the wonders of interactive activities that teach children about prey and predator relationships related to birds. The Wolf Education & Research Center and our resident horned owl are proud to acknowledge Kidwings’s contribution to conservation. Learn more by visiting www.kidwings.com and do the virtual dissection!

www.kidwings.com Wolf Center Promoting Habitat Conservation

Tribute to Margie DeCoster

The Wolf Center promotes species conservation, through partnering with individuals and businesses carrying out education & habitat development.

From your son, Michael

Marc Trueb of Old Farm Sales in Oregon City, Oregon promotes the habitats of barn owls by constructing and installing nesting boxes throughout the region and is an approved conservation partner of the Wolf Center.

Thank you for your example of love for others and animals

Since barn owls perform a natural form of pest control and remove 1000’s of pests and rodents from farms each year, environment friendly methods are ideal and affordable.

22 SLq Winter 2010

For more information on how to promote barn owls in your area, contact Marc Trueb at OwlNests@WolfCenter.org or by phone at 503-715-6225.

With scissors, Cut apart each shape and reassemble, then tape the shapes together on the back side to complete this puzzle.

Can you recognize the shape that the pieces make once they are reassembled?

Ask your parents for permission to use their scissors if you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have your own.

Make sure to put them back after you are done!

Winter 2010 SLq

23

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

PAID WEST PALM BEACH, FL. PERMIT 593

WOLF EDUCATION & RESEARCH CENTER P.O. Box 12604 Portland, OR 97212

The Wolf Education & Research Centerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mission is to mobilize the public to action by providing informative and engaging outreach about the gray wolf species and its immense value to healthy ecosystems.

Get involved today to stop the destruction of another species and the continued imbalance of nature.