Wolf Haven International
Encyclopedia
Wolf Haven International, formerly known as Wolf Haven America and Wolf Haven Country, is a wildlife rehabilitation
and management
501(c)(3) non-profit organization headquartered in Tenino, Washington
, that focuses on wolves. Founded in 1982 by Steve and Linda Kuntz, the group provides educational programs on wolves, engages in wolf-related activism
, and operates a sanctuary that houses primarily captive-born wolves. It also fosters red wolves
for a breeding program in North Carolina
and is one of three facilities in the United States that provides pre-release housing for Mexican gray wolves bred for Southwest restoration programs.
Forty-two wolves are harbored at its 80 acres (323,748.8 m²) refuge, which can be toured by visitors. These include thirty gray wolves, four Mexican gray wolves, four red wolves, and four wolf/domestic-dog hybrids. In addition to these are two coyotes.
In 1980, the Andrews moved from Colorado, stating it was too expensive to operate there. At the time, the Colorado wildlife authorities stated that they had begun investigating the couple's activities, which were halted by their moving. The couple originally went to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, but were denied a permit to import the wolves into the area and were forced to leave. The Andrews then moved to Washington state, setting up their compound on 4 acres (16,187.4 m²) of land in South Prairie
. Their neighbors, primarily ranchers, objected to the new facility, and complained that the wolves were noisy. One neighbor killed two of the Andrews pet Doberman Pinschers, claiming the dogs were on his land and had killed his wife's cat. Though the facility was legal by state standards, the city passed an ordinance requiring the Andrews to obtain their neighbors' approval for it.
The city later passed an ordinance making it illegal to own wolves, so the group packed up once again, relocating to Tenino, Washington (near Olympia), with its now 22-strong pack of wolves. With thousands of yards between the wolf pens and the nearest neighbors, the group was able to settle in and find acceptance on land donated by an anonymous supporter. The Kuntzes joined the Andrews as their assistants, and the volunteers of Wolf Haven continued giving educational lectures and caring for captive-bred wolves needing homes. After Wolf Haven's arrival, Washington also made it illegal to own wolves, but the organization was granted an exemption.
In early 1982, the Andrews turned the organization over to the Kuntzes, who incorporated it as a nonprofit organization, Wolf Haven America, on September 10, 1982. Operated by volunteers, it continued focusing on the dual purposes of education and housing wolves that might otherwise be destroyed. By 1990, the group was renamed Wolf Haven International, to reflect its dedication to wolves around the world, and expanded to have a dedicated board of directors and paid staff positions. According to the organization, it has provided a home to over 100 wolves that were rescued from "roadside zoos, animal collectors, private owners, research and other facilities."
, Wolf Haven International is "one of the top wolf sanctuaries in the country". When the center first opened, it housed 22 wolves. By 1991, it was up to 36 wolves, and in 2006 the 80 acres (323,748.8 m²) compound housed 47 wolves. Members of the public may visit the Washington refuge and go on guided tours to see the inhabitants. Only basic cameras are allowed on the regular tour, though photographic tours are also offered. During the tours, guests are shown the park, including close-up views of some of the residents. Approximately 20-30,000 visitors tour the facility each year. A variety of wolves are kept in residence, including, gray wolves, Mexican gray wolves, and red wolves. There are also some wolf/domestic-dog hybrids. While wolves generally live 4–9 years in the wild, those at Wolf Haven International have lived to reach 15-19 years of age.
The park also offers "howl-ins" four times during the summer; two in July and two in August. At a howl-in, visitors, sometimes numbering 150 or more in a group, sit around a campfire at night. At their guide's signal, the visitors begin simultaneously imitating wolf howl
s. The wolves in the park sometimes join in the howling, resulting in the visitors getting to "sing" with the wolves.
Wolf Haven publishes a quarterly magazine, Wolf Tracks, which is distributed to donating members and subscribing businesses. The Winter 2009 issue won an APEX Award for Publication Excellence in the "One-of-a-Kind Scientific & Environmental Publications". In 2006, Wolf Haven was featured as one of Rand McNally
's "50 Adventures Within 15 Minutes of Interstate (Interstate 5)."
Wildlife rehabilitation
Wildlife rehabilitation is the process of removing from the wild and caring for injured, orphaned, or sick wild animals. The goal of wildlife rehabilitation is to provide the food, housing and medical care of these animals, returning them to the wild after treatment.-Process:Rehabilitation begins...
and management
Wildlife management
Wildlife management attempts to balance the needs of wildlife with the needs of people using the best available science. Wildlife management can include game keeping, wildlife conservation and pest control...
501(c)(3) non-profit organization headquartered in Tenino, Washington
Tenino, Washington
Tenino is a city in Thurston County, Washington, United States. The population was 1,695 at the 2010 census.-History:Tenino was officially incorporated on July 24, 1906, though it existed as a rural community since the mid-19th century...
, that focuses on wolves. Founded in 1982 by Steve and Linda Kuntz, the group provides educational programs on wolves, engages in wolf-related activism
Activism
Activism consists of intentional efforts to bring about social, political, economic, or environmental change. Activism can take a wide range of forms from writing letters to newspapers or politicians, political campaigning, economic activism such as boycotts or preferentially patronizing...
, and operates a sanctuary that houses primarily captive-born wolves. It also fosters red wolves
Red Wolf
The red wolf is a North American canid which once roamed throughout the Southeastern United States and is a glacial period survivor of the Late Pleistocene epoch...
for a breeding program in North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
and is one of three facilities in the United States that provides pre-release housing for Mexican gray wolves bred for Southwest restoration programs.
Forty-two wolves are harbored at its 80 acres (323,748.8 m²) refuge, which can be toured by visitors. These include thirty gray wolves, four Mexican gray wolves, four red wolves, and four wolf/domestic-dog hybrids. In addition to these are two coyotes.
Foundation
Steve and Linda Kuntz, who are considered the founders of Wolf Haven International, first became involved with wolves after purchasing a wolf pup while living in Colorado in 1978, having no idea that wolves were endangered at the time. They would later meet and befriend Ed Andrews and his wife, two naturalists who ran Wolf Country Foundation, an educational organization that also provided homes for eight wolves in their care. The wolves had been acquired from research programs, federal agencies, and the Fairbanks Zoo after it went bankrupt and ceased operation.In 1980, the Andrews moved from Colorado, stating it was too expensive to operate there. At the time, the Colorado wildlife authorities stated that they had begun investigating the couple's activities, which were halted by their moving. The couple originally went to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, but were denied a permit to import the wolves into the area and were forced to leave. The Andrews then moved to Washington state, setting up their compound on 4 acres (16,187.4 m²) of land in South Prairie
South Prairie, Washington
South Prairie is a town in Pierce County, Washington, United States. The population was 434 at the 2010 census.-History:South Prairie was platted in 1888 by Frank Bisson. It was named because of its location, south of Connell's and Porter's prairies...
. Their neighbors, primarily ranchers, objected to the new facility, and complained that the wolves were noisy. One neighbor killed two of the Andrews pet Doberman Pinschers, claiming the dogs were on his land and had killed his wife's cat. Though the facility was legal by state standards, the city passed an ordinance requiring the Andrews to obtain their neighbors' approval for it.
The city later passed an ordinance making it illegal to own wolves, so the group packed up once again, relocating to Tenino, Washington (near Olympia), with its now 22-strong pack of wolves. With thousands of yards between the wolf pens and the nearest neighbors, the group was able to settle in and find acceptance on land donated by an anonymous supporter. The Kuntzes joined the Andrews as their assistants, and the volunteers of Wolf Haven continued giving educational lectures and caring for captive-bred wolves needing homes. After Wolf Haven's arrival, Washington also made it illegal to own wolves, but the organization was granted an exemption.
In early 1982, the Andrews turned the organization over to the Kuntzes, who incorporated it as a nonprofit organization, Wolf Haven America, on September 10, 1982. Operated by volunteers, it continued focusing on the dual purposes of education and housing wolves that might otherwise be destroyed. By 1990, the group was renamed Wolf Haven International, to reflect its dedication to wolves around the world, and expanded to have a dedicated board of directors and paid staff positions. According to the organization, it has provided a home to over 100 wolves that were rescued from "roadside zoos, animal collectors, private owners, research and other facilities."
Organizational model
Wolf Haven International operates under a license issued by the USDA. Staffed primarily by volunteers and 16 paid staff, its overall operations are managed by a board of directors, led by an executive director.Activities
According to The OlympianThe Olympian
The Olympian is a McClatchy newspaper in Olympia, Washington, in the United States.-History:The Olympian started in 1860 as "The Washington Standard" a weekly paper. Daily papers did not start until February 1889. The Olympian started daily service as a way to lead the crusade to make Olympia the...
, Wolf Haven International is "one of the top wolf sanctuaries in the country". When the center first opened, it housed 22 wolves. By 1991, it was up to 36 wolves, and in 2006 the 80 acres (323,748.8 m²) compound housed 47 wolves. Members of the public may visit the Washington refuge and go on guided tours to see the inhabitants. Only basic cameras are allowed on the regular tour, though photographic tours are also offered. During the tours, guests are shown the park, including close-up views of some of the residents. Approximately 20-30,000 visitors tour the facility each year. A variety of wolves are kept in residence, including, gray wolves, Mexican gray wolves, and red wolves. There are also some wolf/domestic-dog hybrids. While wolves generally live 4–9 years in the wild, those at Wolf Haven International have lived to reach 15-19 years of age.
The park also offers "howl-ins" four times during the summer; two in July and two in August. At a howl-in, visitors, sometimes numbering 150 or more in a group, sit around a campfire at night. At their guide's signal, the visitors begin simultaneously imitating wolf howl
Howl
"Howl" is a poem written by Allen Ginsberg in 1955 and published as part of his 1956 collection of poetry titled Howl and Other Poems. The poem is considered to be one of the great works of the Beat Generation, along with Jack Kerouac's On the Road and William S. Burroughs's Naked Lunch...
s. The wolves in the park sometimes join in the howling, resulting in the visitors getting to "sing" with the wolves.
Wolf Haven publishes a quarterly magazine, Wolf Tracks, which is distributed to donating members and subscribing businesses. The Winter 2009 issue won an APEX Award for Publication Excellence in the "One-of-a-Kind Scientific & Environmental Publications". In 2006, Wolf Haven was featured as one of Rand McNally
Rand McNally
Rand McNally is an American publisher of maps, atlases, textbooks, and globes for travel, reference, commercial, and educational uses. It also provides online consumer street maps and directions, as well as commercial transportation routing software and mileage data...
's "50 Adventures Within 15 Minutes of Interstate (Interstate 5)."