Meet Kuzco!

Here at Wolf Sanctuary of PA we rescue wolves and wolf-dogs of all shapes and sizes - even the floppy-eared ones!  At first glance, the newest member of the Speedwell family may not look like a wolf, but he has all the behavioral traits and strength that you might expect from a young male wolf-dog.

Despite his lab-like looks, Kuzco's genetics contain wolf DNA, giving him extreme jaw pressure, a thick double coat of fur, and a strong pack mentality, which caused him to exhibit severe separation anxiety at his former home.  While he was well-loved growing up, Kuzco, like many other wolf-dogs we have seen, eventually outgrew his human household.  Now, he has his very own pack-mates, Shawnee and Princess, and he is taking in all of the wonderful sights, scents, and sounds of his new surroundings.

Schedule a Private Tour to see how Kuzco is faring in his new hillside forest territory with pack mates Shawnee and Princess!  You can also support Kuzco through our Adopt a Wolf program by symbolically adopting him.

As always, thank you for your support and interest!  Come visit us soon!

Farewell Hope

With heavy hearts, we bid our Hope farewell two weeks ago.  She had suffered from a genetic spinal defect.  Too young to pass from us so soon, we were heartbroken to lose her, but we know that she had moved on to a better place, free from any further suffering.

Hope was born at the sanctuary with her brother Aries.  The two of them had met and bonded with our young Lazarus at a very early age and the three had been a pack ever since.  Their very social, friendly demeanor made all three of them very popular among guests and volunteers alike.  Hope was known as our "Fainting Wolf" throughout the sanctuary because of her habit of rushing to greet any caretaker who came to visit  her enclosure and immediately flopping at their feet for a belly rub.  She was the alpha leader of her pack, always sure to keep Aries and Lazarus in line, and she ruled her pack with discipline, love, and lots of fun, though she did not hesitate to ensure that she receive the most attention of the three.  Hope's presence will be deeply missed throughout the sanctuary and we will always keep her memory close to our hearts.   

"Dear Hope, my brain isn’t quite wrapped around your death. So young, we never expected your journey would begin so soon.  We knew you were not feeling well.  Only two months ago, the vet examined you.  You laid beside us so calm, your demeanor a tad embarrassed as the vet checked around and beneath your tail and your hind legs.  We sedated you lightly for the x-rays and were worried by the vet’s expression.  He said that your spine was compacted (a genetic defect) and the nerves were being restricted in your lower back, the prognoses was not good.  He explained that there was no way to know how long you would be with us, but that many have lived for years with this condition.  We are all stunned by how quick you left.  I grasp at memories.  My hand reaches into thin air, a feeble attempt to pull you back.  Just one more moment to capture some glimpse of your sweet face, and hear your gentle melodic howl.  You had a way of always making me smile.  Miss Hope, I will miss rubbing your belly, how you would pin my feet to the ground so I could not escape.  Rub! you commanded, and all of us that had the blessing to occupy your space obeyed.  We all miss you Hope, our Hope.  Thank you for blessing us and choosing us to care for you and give you a happy home.  You are and will always be one of our babes born here.  You knew nothing but love all your life.  Don’t fret as you move to higher hills and cross the bridge on your new adventure with the sun and moon at your heals.   We will care for your brother Aries and your pack mate Lazarus.  You lead your pack with dignity and strength, a true leader until the end.  I am gladdened in heart to know that your family was close by your side in your final hours and could grieve in true wolf form, to help ease your passing with whispers in your own language, and tales from your own nation.  Safe journey my friend, my sister.   Nature blessed your final day with sun, warm and welcoming you to wonder beyond our borders. No more pain.  I wonder did it lift your spirits to have a sunny day with birds singing as you left this plain.  A sunny day was always your favorite time.  I see you running and playing.  Stretching your legs and throwing your head back.  Until we meet again, all my love, all our love…"
Dawn Darlington - President, Wolf Sanctuary of PA

IN MEMORY of HOPE of SPEEDWELL

born: 12-14-2008 / died 05-17-2016

Spring has sprung and our new fencing is up!

After many months of work, Tioga and Little Girl's renovations are finally complete!

Thanks to the tireless effort and dedication of our volunteers, we were able to tear down the old enclosures and affix fresh dig-fencing to make the final addition to Tioga and Little Girl's territory wolf-ready!
Thank you also to all of our supporters and visitors who helped to make this dream possible.

Visit us for a tour to see how the wolves are enjoying the new renovations!

Special thanks to the volunteer group from GSK for taking the time to come out earlier this month to help with the finishing touches.
Little Girl and Tioga greatly appreciate it!

Spectacular Snouts

You may have heard on the tours that wolves have an excellent sense of smell.  They are often able to detect a herd that is miles away just by picking up their scent in the air!   

But how does this work exactly?

In mammals, the sense of smell depends on the function and number of olfactory receptors.  These are a little like tiny alarms that send messages to the brain.  Sometimes the messages can be about something stinky like garbage or sweet like a flower, or even something tasty!

Humans have about 5 million olfactory receptors, enabling us to pick up on a wide variety of scents.  But that's nothing compared to a wolf snout!
Wolves have 280 million olfactory receptors.  Their sense of smell plays a very important role in their ability to hunt successfully and in their general survival.  It not only helps them locate their prey, but it also helps them to detect if a member of the herd is sick, weak, or injured so that they can better choose their target.

For more information and to see their spectacular snouts in person, come visit us for a tour!  

You can also check out this website for more fun facts.

Something To Howl About!

Wolf Sanctuary of PA is always excited when children get a chance to visit and learn about the wolves.  Below is one example of a class project that was completed after a visit to our sanctuary.  Thank you to Chesterbrook Academy's 2nd Graders!  These kids rock!

Visit our website to schedule your class trip for the spring or summer now!

Tioga meets Little Girl

There have been many changes around the sanctuary over the last year!  As you may already know, we are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and we do not receive federal, state, or grant funding of any kind.  We rely solely on private donations, gift shop sales, and tour fees in order to provide for our wolves. Thanks to outstanding support in recent months, we have been able to renovate the facility and provide new enclosures for many of our wolves!  One of these enclosures was set aside for two of our wolves.  Some of you may already know Tioga, but Little Girl is new around here.  Here is their story:

Tioga meets Little Girl  

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Tioga of Speedwell

Tioga is a nine year old male timber wolf.  When he and his family were rescued and brought to the sanctuary in 2006 he was just a wee pup!

He learned a lot from his family…especially his father and alpha, Merlin.

Merlin was a true alpha and ruled his pack with authority and affection.  A few months ago he became very ill but reigned strong and dominant over his pack until the end. He will always remain in our hearts.

After the loss of his father Merlin, Tioga became lonely and in need of a companion.

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Little Girl of Speedwell

Little Girl is a three year old female timber wolf.  She was rescued from Missouri.  

With her, came a sweet, quirky companion who quickly stole our hearts.  His name was Booboo.

A short time ago, Booboo became ill, and Little Girl was the first to sound the alarm, alerting whoever was near that something was wrong with her friend.  It was because of her that Booboo was given a fighting chance and rushed to the vet.  After several days, Booboo sadly lost the battle with his relentless illness.  With broken hearts, we bid him a fond farewell.

Without the presence of Booboo in an enclosure nearby, Little Girl was in need of a companion too.

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Both alone in separate enclosures … would Tioga and Little Girl perhaps make good companions?

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It was late one Sunday afternoon, and the new enclosure was finally finished!

Tioga was the first to enter and investigate.

Little Girl wondered if she might get the chance to join him.

At first she was apprehensive, but in no time at all she began to rejoice in her new freedom!

Next, it was time for Tioga to meet her...

…and the games began.

Their first meeting went...pretty well

It wasn’t long before they were happily playing and roaming their new enclosure together.

Thank you to all those who have visited us or donated time or funds to Wolf Sanctuary of PA.  The success story of Tioga and Little Girl, and the ongoing care of all of the wolves, is made possible thanks to your support.

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Who knows what the future holds in store for Tioga and Little Girl

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Farewell Merlin, A True Alpha

Merlin

Merlin came to Wolf Sanctuary of PA with his family on May 05, 2006.  It was a warm spring day.  Along with him came his mate Niksa, her sister Keisha, and a wee baby of two weeks named Tioga.  For the first few days, Merlin and his companions were afraid to leave the small area of concrete in the very front of their enclosure because they had never experienced anything larger.  It was not long, though, before they adjusted to their new, large forest home at the sanctuary, and Merlin was transformed from a fearful apprehensive animal into a loving, happy, and strong alpha wolf.  He especially enjoyed running around his territory and playing in the snow with Niksa, Keisha, and Tioga.  In the summer he enjoyed running and hiding in the tall grasses.  He finally had understood that freedom was the way of life that belongs to each and every wolf.

Merlin was a true alpha male, and through watching his behavior, the volunteers learned more than they ever thought was possible about wolf behavior and the social values of the pack.  Merlin was always seen with his tail held high in the dominant position to designate him as the alpha.  He taught his son, Tioga, to know his position in the pack.  During feedings, he always ate first, as alphas typically do, and he certainly had the appetite of a wolf, once eating over 25 lbs of deer meat in one sitting!  He was a strong and noble leader, and though he was smaller than his son, he held uncontested reign over his pack, and lead his family with authority and affection.

Merlin was a very special member of our packs and his passing will be difficult for all at the sanctuary, wolves and humans alike.  Merlin had a very special human friend and they spent hours of fun and loving times together, right until the end.  We thank God for allowing us to know Merlin and to be a part of his life here on earth. 

As winter approaches, and the wolves at the sanctuary howl to celebrate the coming frost and snow, a deep strong howl will be missing from the chorus--the howl of the one who taught us the true meaning of the word “alpha.”  We take comfort in knowing Merlin is at peace, and can once again play in the snow with his pack, Niksa and Keisha, letting out that alpha howl of his.

"Dear, dear Merlin, you spent many wonderful hours with us and for that we thank you.  You were loving with your family and you taught us so much about love and caring.  You were a strong alpha wolf who knew the value of family and love and you lived your life in a special way that will remain in our hearts forever.  You will be missed but wherever you are now, we know you are running with the wind and being more free than ever......When the snow falls we will be reminded of how much you loved trying to catch the snow flakes.  You showed us that the way of the wolf is a wonderful and exciting life and we will hear you when the wind blows and the trees rustle their branches.  We will watch for the trickling of the water as the stream flows over the stones and you will be remembered.  Farewell my wonderful friend and may you always know wherever you are that you were a shining light to brighten the earth with love.  When the sanctuary rings out with the howling of the Speedwell Wolves, we will listen for your alpha voice and we will remember!"  
~Barbara Darlington--Director, Wolf Sanctuary of PA

IN MEMORY of MERLIN of SPEEDWELL

born: 2002 / rescued: 05-05-06 / died 11-03-15