Emergency Effort To Rescue Five Displaced Wolves

The UK Chapter of Canadian Voice For Animals and world-renowned author and animal advocate Jim Willis have joined Kerwood Wolf Education Centre's drive to rescue five displaced wolves from a U.S. facility that is about to shut down.

Canis Lupus Wolf Foundation, located on leased land in Middletown, Delaware, must close due to development by the landowner which has made the continued housing of wolves there impossible.

For their well-being, the wolves must be relocated to Kerwood as soon as possible. Ranging in age from five to nine years, the wolves function as two packs and must be housed separately upon their arrival. Donations are urgently needed for their transportation and new housing.

Mary Alice Pollard, a former Torontonian and currently the UK representative for Canadian Voice For Animals, has pledged her organization's promotional support.

"I was raised with wildlife, from chipmunks and birds, to wolves and bears," said Pollard. "They were all here first. God gave the animals life; then came man."

Pollard, a former Toronto Humane Society board member, campaigned for the protection of such wild species as wolves and Canadian seals, and on other animal issues such as bullfighting and dogfighting.

Author Jim Willis is best known for his animal related writings, including the best-selling book, "Pieces of My Heart - Writings Inspired by Animals and Nature." His essay, "How Could You?," written from a shelter dog's point of view, has been translated into 36 foreign languages. When read on the air by a drivetime radio DJ in Toronto, it stopped traffic as drivers pulled over in tears.

Willis has participated in many animal welfare and rights issues, and been involved in rescue efforts for numerous animals, including wolves and high-content wolf hybrids.

He said, "It is one of the saddest animal situations. Wolves belong in the wild and deserve to be to restored to as much of their former habitat as can be safely accomplished. They should not be bred and sold as pets, or imprisoned in roadside zoos."

"There is nearly no suitable sanctuary available for the many hundreds who are dumped in shelters or on rescue efforts," Willis continued. "Education and ambassador programs such as Kerwood's are valuable because they teach the public and encourage people to care about wolves."

"Wolves are a breathtaking symbol of wildness and should be respected and protected, not persecuted," he said.

"Although we normally do not function as a wolf rescue, our hearts go out to these magnificent animals who have been such excellent ambassadors for their species," said Vivian Singer-Ferris, executive director of Kerwood Wolf Education Centre.

Ambassador wolves have been an intrinsic part of Canis Lupus Wolf Foundation's education programs since the center was founded in 1996 by Angelo Piner, a wildlife conservationist and active volunteer wolf researcher.

"Angelo's wolves will be invaluable to us in our continued expansion of our own education and outreach programs," said Singer-Ferris. "As accustomed as they are to public viewing and to educational monitoring, they will bring new flavor and diversity to our centre."

Kerwood currently houses 13 hand-raised ambassador wolves, including Arctics, within three separately functioning packs.

The only obstacle to the wolves' immediate transfer is funding, with Kerwood estimating the total cost of the rescue operation at $40,000. Donations will facilitate transportation to Kerwood, the construction of temporary holding pens for the remainder of the winter, and in the spring, the construction of two new permanent compounds.

Donations may be mailed to Kerwood Wolf Education Centre, R.R. 3 Kerwood, Ontario, Canada, N0M 2B0, or, sent via electronic transfer from Kerwood's website: www.kerwoodwolf.com.

Kerwood Wolf Education Centre Inc. is a registered non-advocacy, non-profit wolf education and resource centre with facilities licensed and inspected by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.

More information can be obtained by contacting Vivian Singer Ferris (info@kerwoodwolf.com or call (519) 247-1118) or Angelo Piner (PinerAPiner@aol.com or call (302) 453-8618).

© 2004 Animal News Center, Inc.