First of all, I would like to thank North Forty for doing this article. I imagine it is quite hard to be a journalist because whatever you write, someone will be upset.

I am a volunteer at WOLF Sanctuary in the current Rist Canyon location. The staff and volunteers at WOLF do an amazing job of caring for and protecting these wonderful animals, most of whom come from incredibly horrid situations. The option is usually euthanasia for these animals. Thankfully there are a number of sanctuaries and rescue groups around the country who exist to help a small percentage of these animals. The Rist Canyon location is far from ideal especially with the persistent wildfire threat and flooding. Also the location inhibits quite a few people from volunteering due to the arduous task of getting in and out of the private road and the vehicular restrictions. The location also inhibits WOLF from adequately pursuing one of its stated missions: education of the general public on the plight of these animals and the fact that it is not a good idea to own one.

As someone who spends the summers in Red Feather Lakes, I can say that the noise issue raised by the opponents is nothing compared to the traffic noise on 74E on a Friday night during the summer. And let’s not talk about the incessant gun fire from target shooting. I would also point out that there are quite a few ranchers in Montana, Wyoming, Oregon and Washington whose cattle do give birth and manage to not trample their calves while living in wolf country – and these wolves are running wild, not in enclosures like the animals at WOLF.

Thank you again for reporting on this topic.