Our Winter Newsletter focused on a tremendous number of challenges faced during that season. Many of those trials revolved around weather-related issues. Fortunately, our weather has been mostly outstanding since then. Although a few more smaller snow storms came our way -- they were excellent for our drought recovery. The weather warmed up quickly and soon the weekly precipitation was in the form of rain. It, likewise, has been welcomed and the forest and wildflowers are responding spectacularly.

The response to our reporting the number of animals that we have to turn away was received very well and we will continue to insert our little symbols into this update. These symbols ( Π) only represent the number of animals needing rescue, where the requesters have initiated their search with Wolf and provided us with enough information to send out an alert. These are the only ones we can track realistically. Requests from other rescues or individuals who do not follow through in providing information would probably multiply this number by 4 or 5.

The majority of the challenges from spring have revolved around human-related issues rather than mother nature and the health of the wolves in our care.

15 March - Catching Up On Building •+Œ

We began again to construct the two new isolation enclosures, which we had started in October 2006 and had hoped to finish before winter. Our efforts were interrupted by weather and WideAwake concerns. The new isolation habitats are much larger than the old ones, at: 90’ x 90’ (with a 15’ x 25’ catch up area), and 125’ x 50’ (also with a catch up area). They are located much farther away from all the activity at the Sanctuary. They are also situated so that they will have access to an old cabin on the property, where shelter can be arranged if the outside elements dictate.

05 April - Amended Special Review ‘

After having submitted our application (for changes to the conditions of our Special Review) to Larimer County on January 22nd, it was now time to meet with the planners to discuss technical data they wished incorporated into the application. The meeting went very well and the extent of the additions they recommended did not seem too severe -- even though it would again take some time to put it all together.

22 April - Hummers! •+ Ž

The weather was being extraordinarily spring-like and even fooled the hummingbirds into returning much earlier this year. This is the earliest in the season we had ever seen before. So early, in fact, that there were no flowers blooming for them. We immediately got the feeders filled and hung up for them.

24 April - DOW Again

In our last newsletter we explained the new challenges presented by the Colorado Division of Wildlife. For the past 4 to 5 years, there has been a movement to eliminate Nonprofit Wildlife Sanctuaries from Colorado. Earlier this year, they again were proposing a new regulation that would require significant bonds to be posted in the event that a sanctuary closed down. After being told by the Wildlife Commission to get input from the stakeholders involved and doing so, they were now ready to present their proposal again.

25 April - Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE at CSU

During the previous month and a half, we had been trying to set up an evening with some of our extraordinary supporters and volunteers to attend the Jane Goodall lecture, sponsored by Colorado State University.

We were blessed to be introduced to some of Dr. Goodall’s staff by the founder of Chimps, Inc. (Lesley Day) in Bend, Oregon. Her staff had already done their homework on Wolf and were extraordinarily receptive to our mission, credentials and the accomplishments of our organization. They helped us with tickets to the event and would be bringing a specially signed copy of Jane’s book for auction at our fund-raiser, Waltz for the Wolves.

The evening of the lecture was absolutely outstanding: the dinner with friends -- truly enjoyable, the lecture by Jane -- amazing and re-validated our own philosophies, and then the big surprise -- we were astonished, yet honored, to have Dr. Goodall acknowledge Wolf during her speech, and the wonderful work being accomplished for wolves, by our organization. We wish we would have been able to invite all of our supporters and volunteers to this spectacular event.

30 April - Let’s Build Another Habitat •+ Œ

We have begun another 1/2-acre habitat. Our major goal for this year is an undertaking of goliath proportion. We are trying to get everything arranged to move all of the WideAwake wolves to the Sanctuary.

The goal is to first, get the county to approve changes to the conditions of our Special Review, allowing us to have more animals at the Sanctuary (see Public Hearings Start Soon - click ). Second, to raise the funds necessary to build 6 new 1/2-acre habitats at the Sanctuary. Third, to actually build those habitats (see Build, Build, & Build Some More- click).

We need your help to accomplish all of these monumental undertakings. With the county, we need you to write letters, send emails and attend the public hearings if possible. With the new habitats, we need any help you can possibly provide: donations for materials, sources for donated materials, labor to build the fencing, ideas or connections to groups willing to build fencing, ideas or connections to foundations for funds to purchase materials, volunteers for regular chores so staff can focus on fence building, etc. Please see the respective articles for more details.

02 May - Webster & Menemith Get A New Habitat 

Now that the new isolation habitats were built, it was time to move some of the animals. Webster & Menemith would get the top side enclosure and Mucqua & Gead would get the lower one, which had a more gentle slop to accommodate Gead’s hip problems. It was time to move Webster & Menemith. We would let them acclimate and move Mucqua & Gead in about two weeks.

When we catch them up, we do a physical exam and get blood for testing. The process went flawlessly and they were soon running in a more suitable area. They are loving it.

03 May - Wildlife Commissioners Meeting 

The Commissioners began their questioning of the DOW by asking how often the Division has had to deal with a sanctuary closing and the response — “once, about 15 or 20 years ago”, and the cost?, “not much.” One of our long-time supporters and attorney (Bonnie), representing a loose coalition of sanctuaries, presented the concerns and answered the Commission’s questions for about 30 minutes. When public comment was finished, Commission Chairman Tom Burke said basically, I think we should delay this until September for you (sanctuaries) and the staff (CDOW) to work this out. “I don't want another 300 emails.” Another commissioner added that the staff (CDOW) should report to the commission monthly — "no more surprises or 300 emails."

Your concern for this issue and your outstanding response to our request for emails did the job. We truly appreciate your efforts and we are confident that your message to the Commissioners was heard loud and clear. It indeed was the reason for the postponement of these regulations. We are also hopeful that the Division of Wildlife now has a much better appreciation for the public’s sentiment on nonprofit wildlife sanctuaries and will work in ‘good faith’ to establish realistic regulations.