Cheyenne

sex: female
born: May 1993 (est.)
birth place: South Dakota
died: 18 April 2002

given sanctuary: 25 June 1998

 

 

 

Cheyenne's Memorial
see Newsletter - Summer 2002 (click)

Cheyenne's Story

It always seems to start with a phone call to Wolf, and it was no different in Cheyenne’s case. This time, it was an employee of the Colorado Division of Wildlife, who was acting as a private citizen putting out the call for help.

This gentleman and his wife were caring for an injured wolf named Cheyenne. Cheyenne was born in South Dakota at Bear Country USA and sold to a commercial wildlife photography preserve (see inset below) in Colorado. Cheyenne had almost been killed when a caretaker had placed her in an enclosure with a pack not her own. It was agreed we would come and take a look at her to see if she would fit in with any of the packs already established at the Wolf Sanctuary.

Expecting to find a “beautiful wolf” what we found was a patch work quilt. Cheyenne had fur missing in patches all over her body, her nose looked as if it had been put in a meat grinder, and she was absolutely terrified. If Cheyenne’s eyes had not been held in by muscle and tendons, they would have fallen out, they were open so wide in sheer terror. The care this kind couple had been giving Cheyenne was wonderful, but because of where they lived, Cheyenne had to be kept in a small 6’x6’ kennel in their barn. Between the trauma of the attack, the physical illness brought on by the attack and the fact that she could not escape into a quiet corner away from both animals and people, Cheyenne was not doing well. The veterinarian who had been working with Cheyenne had thought that she might have to be euthanized. The main reason being that, in addition to all the exterior wounds she had suffered, her liver was possibly failing.

Cheyenne’s owners were on the East Coast setting up a new facility for their wildlife preserve. Due to the seriousness of her injuries, her vet could not release her to travel with the rest of her family to their new home. We agreed to take Cheyenne and to try to nurse her back to full health.

The people who had been caring for her since she had been attacked delivered Cheyenne to the Wolf facility. She was placed in the holding run where she could continue to be treated, and yet get away from humans.

Cheyenne turned out to be a sweet and lovable animal. As time progressed and her health continued to improve, she was placed in a permanent enclosure with Bear. Cheyenne continued off and on to have some minor physical problems but, all in all, it was going well, and was felt by all at the sanctuary that she would go on to live a full life.

Cheyenne’s original owners, who at first thought they would take her back to their facility on the East Coast, decided it would be best for Cheyenne to remain at Wolf permanently. Cheyenne had bonded with Bear and a new arrival to the facility named Spirit. Soon after this, another animal named Cherokee was also placed in the enclosure with the existing trio. All went well for a short while, but it was not to continue. Bear, for some reason unfathomable to mere humans, decided he no longer wanted Cheyenne and Spirit living in the same pack and drove both of them off. Cheyenne was again stressed by the circumstances of being driven out of a pack. In an effort to restore peace, Cheyenne and Spirit were placed in an enclosure of their own.

Cheyenne and Spirit are still together and doing exceptionally well. Cheyenne’s health is perfect, and the pair has become well known and loved by all who volunteer at or visit the Sanctuary.

Commercial Wildlife Photography Parks Look at the pretty wolf or mountain lion or bear calendar on your wall. You see wonderful animals, and ask yourself: "How did the photographer get such a great shot of a wild animal?" Wrong! It is not a wild animal. It is a captive animal that was bred or purchased specifically to be photographed by professionals. Half-day rates to photograph these animals run as high as $500. There are many of these parks that are very reputable, staffed by people who love and care for these animals. Unfortunately, there are also some very disreputable organizations that will setup any situation a photographer wants to shoot. This includes tying the front legs of two animals together in order to get them to fight each other.

 

Become A Member of Wolf