All of your wolf whisperer dreams are about to come true thanks to the Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center.
When Darlene Kobobel rescued a surrendered wolf-dog from euthanasia in 1993, she had no idea it would lead to the creation of the Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center over the next two decades. Kobobel originally created her organization as a wolf-dog rescue, but quickly realized there was a more dire need for education, conservation, and preservation.
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“During the first year of operation, the Center was inundated with 15 – 20 phone calls every day from around the country from people who wanted to surrender their beloved wolves. This is when it was realized that the role of providing education was necessary. It has been learned that out of approximately 250,000 wolf-dogs that are born in our country every year, 80% will likely die before they reach their third birthday,” writes Kobobel.
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Once a vital part of the Colorado ecosystem, the Grey Wolf (or Timber Wolf) no longer exists in the wilds of Colorado. Now, wolves have been the subject of “cross breeding”, a controversial trend that has wolf-hybrid sanctuaries popping up across the country.
Wolves vary from dogs in a myriad of ways, many that prospective wolf-dog owners don’t anticipate. For instance, a fully grown wolf may challenge its owner for the alpha position, kill other pets or livestock, or “play” with children by carrying them around the house by their head. These unforeseen differences in behavior often lead to surrender or euthanasia.
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The Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center is one of few sanctuaries certified by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) to care for wolves and wolf-hybrids. Located in Divide, CO, they offer 4 types of educational, interactive tours for visitors to learn more.
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The ‘Standard Tour’ is a 1 hour guided tour that highlights the wolves, coyotes, and foxes at the center, while the ‘Feeding Tour’ lets you watch your guide feed the animals along the way. For a more interactive experience, try the “Youth Fox Photo” or the “Interactive Alpha,” where a photographer will document your time up close and personal with the canines (caution: major kisses!). And what better way to end your tour than by howling with the whole pack?
The Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center is open year round - but make sure to book a reservation and read up on the rules before you go (hint: don’t wear faux fur)!
Can't go but want to contribute? There's a sponsorship program for CWWC's animals in which you can "adopt" one for a donation of $50, and that money will go directly to caring for the facility's animals. Or, sign up to support CWWC with
Amazon Smile, and have .5% of your online shopping go directly to the facility.
