I have finally been able to get to a new computer and start answering all the emails. Unfortunately my old computer seems to have decided to die on the trip to town.
I apologize for the delay and for sending out this update as a mass mailing. However, the numbers of emails and phone calls have been staggering. Thanks for your concern — it truly keeps us revitalized. At times everything seems a bit overwhelming, but our mission is very clear and we will do whatever we need to do that is in the best interest of the animals.
The animals are all doing good or as well as can be expected under the circumstances. Our original plan was just to evacuate the animals who were easiest to move and would be the least traumatized by the trip to town.
We have spent a lot of resources to ensure a “Survive In Place” option was possible for the very unsocial animals. There are a number of reasons for this. It is very time-consuming, stressful and dangerous to catch up wolves that do not want to be caught. Moving them to a strange place with strange people can also be extremely stressful and actually end up killing them. In 2000 when we evacuated we actually lost an animal due to stress.
Although the fire did get to the facility and did burn down a small cabin and three sheds, it did not get the main cabin or any of the wolf habitats. All of the fire mitigation work we have done including the fire dens seems to have done the job. However at the request of the fire authorities we did evacuate the rest of the wolves on Thursday. The authorities were uncomfortable with any residents being in the area.
The animals we evacuated on Thursday are all now out at the Wild Animal Sanctuary in Keenesburg. The animals we evacuated first are at a WOLF Board member’s property outside of Loveland. We are hoping to get them back into the Sanctuary soon, so as to limit the amount of stress related issues on the animals.
Please realize that our primary need is money. Recovering from all of this is going to be very resource intensive. Thanks again and do let me know if you have any other questions.
We are trying to keep our FaceBook page updated as best as possible. It might be your best bet to go there to keep updated.
Sincerely,
Frank Wendland
Cofounder
WOLF Sanctuary