Aug. 21, 2013
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Tien is a resident of Shy Wolf Sanctuary. / SPECIAL TO THE NEWS-PRESS
The nonprofit, all-volunteer organization made a presentation today proposing to relocate from 2 1/2 acres in Golden Gate Estates to the city’s 30-acre Bonita Nature Place, which has a gopher tortoise habitat, bee house, bat house, butterfly garden and hiking trails.
“We’ve kind of outgrown our place, and we’re looking to make a move,” said volunteer Mike Sullivan.
He said the Bonita Nature Place is attractive because of its central location between Fort Myers and Naples, accessibility to Interstate 75 and proximity to FGCU volunteers.
Councilwoman Janet Martin said she has heard from residents and the Friends of the Bonita Nature Place the Kent Road site is not appropriate.
“They don’t want the animals standing in water. We’re charged as a council with the water quality issues of the Imperial River. Those original flowways of the river go right through the property where there are proposed areas for pens. That becomes an absolute issue for us a council to do the right thing for the river,” she said.
“I would love to have you in Bonita Springs. I just don’t think the Nature Place is the right fit.”
Mayor Ben Nelson said he wants Shy Wolf in Bonita Springs and voted no just because he didn’t want to take any locations off the table.
Councilman Bill Lonkart voted no because of concerns he has about wild animals being near residences and businesses.
Sullivan said the wolves are socialized because they have been raised in captivity and wouldn’t be able to survive in the wild.
Councilwoman Martha Simons suggested Shy Wolf consider the Everglades Wonder Gardens on Old 41 in downtown as a site.
Wolf sanctuary board Vice President Deanna Deppen said it’s open to considering other locations in the city.
Resident Alex Grantt, who has served on the Friends of the Bonita Nature Place board, said he doesn’t think the Nature Place is compatible with wolves. “I have nothing against wolves. In fact, my dog Chrissy is semi-related,” he said.
“The wolf might invite the turtle to lunch, and the turtle will be lunch. We’re trying to protect the turtles. This is not heaven where the lamb lives together with the lion.”
Deppen said the sanctuary’s wolves are not gopher tortoise predators. “They’re very satisfied with the frozen chicken that we bring in,” she added.
Deppen said the sanctuary hasn’t been able to get approval to operate on 20 acres it owns in Collier County.
“They’re not really sure how to zone us,” she said. “It’d be a big challenge to make headway on that property. We’d be building from the ground up.” The group would have to enclose the 20 acres with an 8-foot-high perimeter fence estimated to cost $70,000.
Started in 1993, the sanctuary houses about 40 rescued wolf and wolf hybrids and has a $120,000 annual budget.
Bonita resident Donna Stone said she has volunteered as a trainer at the sanctuary and will never forget having a one-on-one connection with a wolf.
“Their educational impact in Bonita would be amazing,” she said. “The schools from surrounding areas would benefit tremendously from this facility. It would expand their knowledge toward other animals.”
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