UK Wolf Conservation Trust
Encyclopedia
The UK Wolf Conservation Trust is a non-profit organisation based in Berkshire, United Kingdom. Its aims are to dispel the myths and misconceptions surrounding wolves, as well as supporting those still in the wild elsewhere in Europe.
, a businessman and founder of the UKWCT, visited Alaska
in the 1970s. He encountered wolves for the first time and upon his return to the UK decided to acquire a wolf himself. Roger kept wolves into the mid 1990s and, encouraged by Erich Klinghammer
, an ethologist, founded the UK Wolf Conservation Trust in 1995.
Education is a major part of the UKWCT's ethos and they hold regular seminars, with biologists and other speakers giving talks about wolves and current conservation work. The UKWCT's magazine, WolfPrint, attracts contributions from those involved with wolf conservation and reports on current events in the wolf world.
in Kent, the imported wolves had several further litters.
Projects supported by the UKWCT include helping to buy livestock guardian dogs for Bulgarian shepherds, as well as supporting wolf research and education in the Tver
region of Russia
and also in Croatia
. Support has also been provided for the Ethiopian wolf
, for other European projects, and for the Red and Mexican Wolves in the Americas. In the past few years over £100,000 has been donated to wolf conservation projects.
History
Roger PalmerRoger Palmer
Roger Palmer may refer to:* Roger Palmer, 1st Earl of Castlemaine , English courtier, diplomat and MP, 1660* Roger Palmer , English MP at various times between 1624 and 1644* Roger Palmer * Roger Palmer...
, a businessman and founder of the UKWCT, visited Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
in the 1970s. He encountered wolves for the first time and upon his return to the UK decided to acquire a wolf himself. Roger kept wolves into the mid 1990s and, encouraged by Erich Klinghammer
Erich Klinghammer
Erich Klinghammer was a biologist best known for his contributions to the fields of ethology and behavioural ecology, particularly that of canids...
, an ethologist, founded the UK Wolf Conservation Trust in 1995.
Activities of the UKWCT
The UKWCT keeps a number of ambassador wolves, currently ten socialised wolves split into five packs. The wolves are taken for walks most weekends with the public in the open farmland around the Trust, accompanied by members of the UKWCT. The idea is to allow people to see wolves in a different light to the experience seen at most zoos, which generally don't socialise their animals.Education is a major part of the UKWCT's ethos and they hold regular seminars, with biologists and other speakers giving talks about wolves and current conservation work. The UKWCT's magazine, WolfPrint, attracts contributions from those involved with wolf conservation and reports on current events in the wolf world.
The UKWCT's achievements
In 1998 the UKWCT imported three European wolves from eastern Europe and in 1999 they gave birth to six pups. This was reported to be the first birth of European wolves in the UK since they were driven to extinction in the 18th century. Since their relocation to WildwoodWildwood Discovery Park
Wildwood Discovery Park is a woodland discovery park in north-east Kent, England. It features over fifty species of native British animals such as deer, badgers, wild boar and wolves...
in Kent, the imported wolves had several further litters.
Projects supported by the UKWCT include helping to buy livestock guardian dogs for Bulgarian shepherds, as well as supporting wolf research and education in the Tver
Tver
Tver is a city and the administrative center of Tver Oblast, Russia. Population: 403,726 ; 408,903 ;...
region of Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
and also in Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
. Support has also been provided for the Ethiopian wolf
Ethiopian Wolf
The Ethiopian wolf , also known as the Abyssinian wolf, Abyssinian fox, red jackal, Simien fox, or Simien jackal is a canid native to Africa...
, for other European projects, and for the Red and Mexican Wolves in the Americas. In the past few years over £100,000 has been donated to wolf conservation projects.