THE WILD ANIMAL REFUGE UPDATE

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With the onset of COVID-19 being such a challenging ordeal, and the rest of 2020 being filled with chaos and political upheaval, we have all been looking forward to a saner and more productive year in 2021.  Of course, we always work hard at the Refuge, but this year we found ourselves faced with a new sense of urgency.
 

Having already carried out numerous large rescues over the past few months we felt a need to shift into high gear so we could quickly build more habitats.  Yet, by choosing to create large and diverse spaces, we still needed to invest significant amounts of time and energy laying out species-specific territories.

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Deciding which species will benefit most within each unique area we develop at the Refuge can be both challenging and rewarding.  Seeing rescued Lions enjoying an expansive view from atop one of their massive rock outcroppings… or watching a Bear gleefully spruce up a natural cave to suit their liking… there is no better reward!

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Once we have a habitat laid out, and we’ve marked the exact pathways where our primary and secondary fences will go, it’s time for us to hunker down and get the job done.  It all becomes worthwhile when you see how amazing each space turns out for the animals who get to live there.

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Starting with the eleven Wolves we rescued from the failed Tiger King facility in Oklahoma, we set out to build numerous smaller habitats that were about 18 to 20 acres in size and featured varying topography, grass, trees, rocks and water.  With many of the canyons having miles of beautiful scenery that possessed all of the amenities we were looking for, we began constructing numerous habitats between our existing 243-acre Black Bear habitat and the Alpaca barn that is located close to one and a half miles to the north.

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Additionally, with more Tigers and Bears having arrived from the same Oklahoma contingent, as well as from Indiana, Louisiana and Pennsylvania…  we had to begin building larger habitats as well.  There is no doubt we have a need for more operations crew members, and will for some time to come!

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Having the right equipment to create these special habitats is also critical, especially when you are working on such a massive scale.  With miles of fencing to install for each new habitat, we rely not only on our staff’s physical strength, but also on their ability to operate incredibly large and complex machines.

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Both men and machines are the key to building much of the infrastructure we need at the Refuge, while animal care staff and their specialized vehicles and equipment focus on caring for the hundred-plus animals that are currently living there.  Both have very specific goals in mind, but also end up helping each other on a fairly regular basis.

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For the eleven Wolves that arrived from the failed GW Zoo, we have five habitats set aside to help with the pairing and pack-building process.  Most of the wolves we rescued from that facility were kept in pairs or singles, with the exception of one semi-geriatric group that had three members.

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Wolves can group together and build packs that have anywhere from two to more than a dozen members.  As such, we had to spend a fair amount of time observing each Wolf to get a better understanding of their potential to (1) fit well in a group setting, and (2) decide what potential each one had to function at a higher or lower level within the pack hierarchy. 

 

Once we had a good idea of the personalities that existed within the group, and noted each member’s aggressive and/or submissive behaviors, we started forming theoretical packs.  Of course, all of this was done on paper until the time we began to physically place the Wolves inside their new habitats.

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Like all of our animals, including cats and Bears, we start with an introductory lockout enclosure located inside each expansive habitat which serves as a controlled space for letting animals get used to their new territory.  After a number of days, the first members of the pack are let out to explore their new home and get used to its boundaries.

 

Once they feel at home, subsequent members are also allowed time in the introductory enclosure so they too can adjust the sights and sounds of the new space.  This also allows more close up interaction between the existing and newly added members, but with an enclosure fence keeping them separated for safety.

 

Again, after a certain amount of time and with everyone showing proper signs of respect and correct placement within the hierarchal structure, the newer members are also released.  At this point, we have a team of operations and animal care staff present to make sure all goes well.

 

It’s rare for the new pack to have fights or disagreements, but on occasion some of the members that were thought to be shy or more submissive may begin to stand up for their rights.  In some cases, a member will push to take a higher rank in the pack, while at other times we might see a member choose to lower their station on their own accord.

 

In the end, we are almost always able to establish a new pack with an appropriately cohesive grouping.  With such large natural habitats, the new packs find they have lots of territory to cover and begin to form a much tighter bond in order to protect the groups’ cumulative interests.

 

Having other Wolf packs in near proximity helps to give each pack their own sense of territorial importance, which manifests quite often in the form of long drawn out howling sessions.  These howling sessions are very important and often serve as vocalized territorial markings.

 

Each session is definitely enriching for all the Wolf packs, since entwined within the expected “this is our territory” message… there are also a few “and don’t even think of coming over here or we will kick your butt” challenges!  Talking trash always plays an important part in the Animal Kingdom’s “tough guy routine”.

 

Of course, the Bears and big cats share a lot of the same steps within our well established introduction routine, including staging for a short time inside an introductory enclosure - as well as being released in stages.  However, African Lions are the only ones that share the same need to employ the vocalization portion of this ritual.

 

Being incredibly social animals, the Lions have very similar pack (or in this case) “pride” dynamics, and definitely place great importance on having an established leader or “King”.  Even though each pride might have as many as four or five adult males living in the group, there is only room for one dominant male.

 

However, as impressive as the males are, and as much pomp and circumstance that is made over their incredibly impressive physiques, the females in the pride definitely hold an enormous amount of power and control over the pride’s actions.

Most times, the ladies will decide when it’s time to move or change locations, or simply determine the current view has become boring and will reposition themselves.  Once they stand and begin to move, the males will typically go along to ensure their precious cargo doesn’t fall into the hands of a competing pride.

 

Of course, from time to time, the males feel a need to go patrol the pride’s territorial boundaries and will be gone for an extended period of time.  When they return, there is an inordinate amount of head butting and shoulder rubbing, as Lion reunions are always very physical.

 

For Tigers like “Clay”, “Daniel”, “Enzo” and “Thomas” – four Tigers rescued from Joe Exotic’s GW Zoo – they never roar or call out to anyone.  Tigers do have a call or “roar” so-to-speak, but it’s more the females that call out quite loudly when in estrus, rather than the males warning off other challengers.

 

Yet, as “unsocial” as Tigers are thought to be, captive Tigers who are fed well and have lots of space to live in actually become very social.  As long as their resources are plentiful and there’s enough space to hang together - or totally avoid one another whenever they feel like it – they get along famously.

 

Thankfully, with the addition of overnight housing at the Refuge, our volunteers are now able to travel to the remote sight for extended work sessions.  As more and more animals begin to call the Refuge home, there is an ever growing need for manpower to help sort and process food into specific diets.

 

The same is true for our operations crew, as we always have more projects than personal to get them done.  Finding qualified labor in Baca County is a challenge to say the least, as most everyone with skills either works on a ranch or has moved off to the big city in search of higher paying jobs.

 

Regardless, we do accomplish an incredible amount of work each week with the smaller crew that works there full time.  Of course, there’s no doubt we could use another ten skilled workers to help build habitats non-stop… but that kind of windfall will likely have to remain a pipe dream for some time to come.

 

The Yaks, Alpacas and Donkeys remain thrilled to have so much room to roam, so there are quite a few hoofed animals that seem to be in heaven.  Founders that have been able to visit at least once already can testify to how great they all are doing, and we hope many more of you will be able to come see the Refuge in person this coming June.

 

COVID or no COVID, our Founder’s Day Event will definitely be held this coming June 17th, 18th, 19th & 20th.  Every year it’s hard to know what the weather will be like in June - since it’s extremely important that we try to schedule the event when we think it will not be too rainy – as well as not be too hot. 

 

A May date would definitely be risky with the potential for rain and wet roads… and an August or September date would likely end up being too warm for the animals.  If that were the case, all of the animals would be sleeping in the shade during the heat of the day, and be up all night.

 

This leaves the month of June as our best bet for a near perfect visit.  So far, that hasn’t been the case, with the first Founder’s Day having one rainy day, and last year’s event being extremely warm and dry.

 

However, given the Refuge is more or less sandwiched between two regions of contrasting weather – meaning Texas to the south and Wyoming to the north – it tends to be very challenging when trying to nail down a date somewhere between cold and wet or hot and dry.

 

Either way, our Founders have proven to be quite adventurous and willing to brave whatever conditions exist.  Thankfully, no one has gone missing or ended up having their picture put on a milk carton… but truth be told, it does take solid planning and being self-reliant to travel alone in the untrammeled wilderness of southeast Colorado.

 

Like all of our facilities, you really have to go there in person to truly understand and appreciate the scope and magnitude of what is going on.  Aside from all of the Founders that have been there, you can ask celebrated National Geographic photographer, Steve Winter, just how amazing it is to see the Refuge in person… or even ask one of the numerous national or international animal welfare icons that have taken the time to visit as well.

 

They will all tell you that the Refuge is not only massive in size, but also breathtaking in beauty and radiance.  We definitely feel blessed to have such a natural landscape to give to the animals!

 

“We are blessed on this planet with small glimpses of the divine. They are all around us. We need not look far to find the beauty. Small miracles are all around us. We simply need to go outside and take a look around at all of the great creation to which we belong.” J. Renard

 

It has been wonderful to see all of the native wildlife continue to live and enjoy the Refuge over the past two years.  Just the other day we were able to see four large Mule Deer bucks that were spread equally apart within one of the Refuge’s mile-long canyons.

 

With towering antlers atop their heads, each one stood confidently as our operations team drove by.  Not a single one moved or demonstrated any sign of fear.

 

Three of the four were standing in the shade below a wall of towering cliffs, while the largest stood high above on a rocky outcrop.  His massive silhouette adorned the skyline as it became generously outlined by the setting sun.

Since hunting has been banned in the canyons for many years, it seemed as if they were extremely grateful to have a safe haven where their impressive racks would no longer issue an immediate death sentence.  So too have the Bobcats, Black Bears, Badgers and Mountain Lions, as all have been able to exist quite harmoniously outside the habitats where their new exotic neighbors reside. 

 

With thousands of acres available to all, we can now see how well the Refuge’s layout and overall design is working in favor of the native species.  With hundreds of cattle previously occupying the canyons for many decades, there was an extensive period where aberrant competition drained nearly all of the natural resources.

 

Now, with the cattle gone, incredible amounts of native grasses have returned and are thriving.  The native wildlife has realized the bounty that now exists, as have many of the smaller beings we rarely think of.

 

Dung Beatles and bugs that were previously killed by the deworming and parasite medicines excreted in cattle dung are now able to live, thrive and balance the countless microhabitats that exist throughout the refuge.

 

There’s no doubt a major change has taken place at the Refuge, and we are very thankful for the opportunity to improve a great number of things we never knew were that far out of balance.  It’s definitely worth seeing, and we hope more people choose to become Founders so they too can visit in person and bear witness to the amazing transformations that are taking place!