APEX PROTECTION PROJECT NEWS
ILLINOIS FUR FARM WOLF RESCUE:
APEX SUPPORTS WOLF CONNECTION’S RESCUE OF THREE WOLFDOGS BRED AT AN ILLINOIS FUR FARM
When the phone rang at the Illinois
Department of Natural Resources, it was Officer Scott Wright who
answered the call. Animal control was calling with a situation regarding
a fur farm that was neglecting its animals, including wolfdogs and
foxes. Officer Wright went to the farm to assess the situation. Upon
seeing the condition of the farm and the animals, and finding the farm
unlicensed, Officer Wright seized the farm and immediately began looking
for a solution. The last thing he wanted was to have to put the animals
down, so he set to the task of finding safe haven for them.
Officer Wright first reached out to
colleague Scott Ballard who was filling in for the endangered species
program manager at the time. Mr. Ballard is a Division of Natural
Heritage biologist and herpetologist (reptile specialist). Neither man
had any experience with wolves, but they decided to tackle the situation
together.
Mr.
Ballard was able to contact his resources in the USDA and the zoo
industry to get the ball rolling. Once the ball began rolling, it picked
up a momentum that neither man ever expected. In gathering the
information for this article, we tried to research everyone involved in
this incredible rescue. We want to apologize if there is anyone who
contributed, but isn’t mentioned here. Once the word was out, the wolf
and wolfdog community across the country quickly and passionately united
to help. Officer Ballard said he’d never seen anything like it. He was
amazed, impressed, and really grateful.
Right away, a zoo in Texas offered to
take 7 of the wolfdogs and a large sanctuary in Washington offered to
take two. That left 8 and the euthanasia date was quickly approaching.
Then Mr. Ballard was put in touch with Oliver Starr, a wolf advocate and
educator on the west coast, as well as Susan Weidel, the Rescue
Coordinator at W.O.L.F. Sanctuary in Colorado. Both Susan and Oliver,
became integral parts of the rescue, using every resource available to
them. Susan was able to take one of the wolfdogs to W.O.L.F. and
continued searching diligently for safety for the others. Oliver reached
out to his Facebook community including Paula Ficara of Apex Protection
Project who is also a volunteer at Wolf Connection in Los Angeles
County. She immediately brought it to their attention. At that time,
Wolf Connection wasn’t confident that they would be able to help because
of the distance, but were open to the possibility if help was needed.
As
the wolf community continued to work at finding the last 7 wolfdogs
sanctuary, veterinarian Matt Allender of the University of Illinois
drove over 4 hours round trip and donated much of his time to make sure
all of the wolfdogs had their rabies shots, vaccines, and health
certificates so they could travel. And Michigan wolf advocate Amy
Gotursix Wright contacted Brenda Pearson of the Michigan sanctuary
Howling Timbers, telling her of the situation. Luckily they had room and
were able to take four. Three were left.
Days passed and no one could find a home
for the three remaining wolfdogs. Officer Wright and Mr. Ballard were
becoming concerned that they would have to be euthanized. That’s when
Wolf Connection realized they needed to step in and rescue them. The
only problem was that the journey would take some planning and
fundraising, and WC was working against the clock. Susan stepped in,
contacting her rescue colleagues, Jayne and Mike Belsky of The Grey Wolf
Central WI Wolfdog Rescue in Wisconsin to see if they would be willing
to foster the pups until WC could drive out and get them. Jayne said
that although they wouldn’t be able to keep them, they would be more
than happy to foster them. She and Mike even drove to Illinois and
picked the last three up themselves. The three girls have been staying
in a beautiful enclosure at Grey Wolf for the last couple of weeks.
Until now, they’ve never had any human contact or exposure to trees or
feeling the earth under their feet. Jayne says their curiosity is
marvelous. She’s kept the community updated with short videos of the
girls exploring and playing in their new surroundings.
The rescue team, including Apex’s Paula Ficara and Steve Wastell (who is WC’s Lead of Operations), will be driving out on the 31st
this month to pick the girls up. It’s an estimated $4000 rescue with
all travel expenses and vet bills (all three girls will need to be
spayed and receive proper vaccines, etc.) and we need your help. Please
join Wolf Connection’s largest rescue yet, and make a donation towards
the rescue by clicking below. We thank you and our new girls thank you.
THE GIRLS WAITING FOR THEIR FOREVER HOME
AT WOLF CONNECTION
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VIDEOS: SEE THE GIRLS IN ACTION
at The Grey Wolf Central WI Wolfdog Rescue
source
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