eturning from Winchester, Idaho a week ago, my mind wandered to the issues that the Wolf Education and Research Center faces. I was primarily thinking about the notion of community. More specifically, what kind of neighbors are we? What do people say about the folks who care for that pack of wolves up in the hills above

Lewiston? What are they saying about that "wolf man" who shows up periodically on the airways of local radio talk shows? Is our mission to be a good neighbor or is it just a presumption that we are. The Wolf Education & Research Center is positioned between the political vacuum in the state capitol and the vast wilderness of the Idaho landscape. Sitting between the range of hunters, ranchers, and outdoors enthusiasts and the reality of those lifestyles, WERC navigates between the facts and truth about wolves and the widespread panic and fear that myths and perhaps more appropriately, suburban myths cultivate. In the past year the practical have cited incidences of livestock loss; hunters have claimed lower elk and deer counts due to wolf predation; and armchair theologians have claimed an Ecclesiastic responsibility to rid the earth of these "beasts." Even popular magazines feature inflammatory images of man under threat from a dangerous and maniacal predator. It is a constant flow of arguments and debates, discussions and conversations, dialogues and probably too many monologues. That is exactly where we find ourselves as we seek clarity in how we serve The Sawtooth Pack, their wild cousins, our donors, and the community that tolerates us. There is an important consideration. The idea runs core to the philosophy of the founders of the Wolf Education and Research Center and this President. Wolves are more than an important part of the eco-system. They are vital and without them, the balance of nature would be considerably wounded. Nature's economy depends on them. They are also an important aspect of culture. While the Sawtooth Pack has historically served as the ambassadors for their family, they now serve as ambassadors for each of us. They are a catalyst behind our decision to reason with each other, opening people's minds in the hope of preserving one small corner of the world for the sanctity of not just wildlife, but all life. We're getting closer to our goals. With little exception, our performance with the Sawtooth Pack has proven to be a great success. While the Pack has entered its twilight years, the invaluable lessons we've learned and the lessons we've taught have contributed tremendously to the dialogue about wolves and their important role in nature and in this region. WERC's focus on education has been a central theme as we try and influence the public to consider issues that have evaded many of us in place of the nightly news or the most recent sit-com. A historic moment in the Wolf Education and Research Center's future is unfolding. Our past is full of fascinating recollections of introducing wolves to Idaho and most significantly, the reputation as the careful and loving handlers of the Sawtooth Pack. Our future, however, is in our ability to refine this wonderful calling to preserve nature and teach about it in ways that unite people and wilderness, and in ways that inspire change and responsibility. The coming year brings many new ideas about the future of the Wolf Education and Research Center. Without a doubt, education has come to the forefront of our effort. As the Sawtooth Pack, one by one, return to the earth, we realize that their legacy is tied distinctly to our ability to move forward with the message that remains. Education is that forum. This first issue of the Sawtooth Legacy Quarterly is that voice to communicate where we're going and how we're hon-oring your confidence in WERC. In it, you'll find important destinations such as our developing children's education programs. You'll find news about wolves. You'll read about research that WERC is promoting through our interns. Most importantly, you'll read about our efforts to bring you closer to nature, and our hope is that will bring you closer to yourself. Thank you for joining the WERC Board and Staff in the effort to honor the legacy of the Sawtooth Pack. We can't heed this calling without you. Kindest Regards, Chris Anderson, Executive Director Wolf Education & Research Center

Letter from the President

R

The Reality of Delisting

WOLF DELISTING IN IDAHO...................... 5

RESISTING DELISTING ................................ 6

SUMMER WOLF TRACKING EXPEDITION IN IDAHO .............. 9

Wolf Education & Research Center WERC IS DEDICATED TO PROVID ING UP TO DATE INFORMATION ABOUT THE UNDER STANDING OF WOLVES.

The Sawtooth Pack: Wolves of the Nez Perce live on twenty acres of rolling timberland with meadows and streams. These wolves serve as ambassadors for their wild cousins by educating the public.

After the greatest recovery of an endangered species ever, the new generation of wolves in Idaho now face a very real possibility of being eradicated like their not long ago relatives. As the State of Idaho plans to take full control of its wolf population after the delisting of the wolf by the federal government, Idaho's first order of business will be to kill over 500 wolves. This or-der of business was affirmed last week by Idaho's newly elected Governor, C.L. Otter.

So here we stand, eleven years into wolves residing in the Idaho wilderness and the same fears, myths, lies and absolute hatred for the animal and its supporters re-main. Facts can be brought forward to dispute claims of cattle and elk decimation, danger to humans and all of the other foolishness that is applied to wolves, but sadly, too many times these facts fall on deaf ears. The need for education to the future generations of Idaho residents

WERC MISSION The Wolf Education and Research Center is dedicated to providing public education and scientific research concerning the gray wolf and its habitat in the Northern Rocky Mountains. The Center will provide

the public with the rare opportunity to observe and learn more about the wolf in its natural habitat. It is our goal to be an inclusive organization that offers factual and balanced information. We seek to enhance public awareness of threatened species in the region and to develop, in concert with residents, ways to coexist with these species.

SAWTOOTH PACK UPDATE

wolf

...Continued on Page 10

N. Fiore, WERC

2

SPRING 2007

SPRING 2007

Help keep WERC in the forefront of the fight to preserve Wolves around the region and world by supporting the Wolf Education & Research Center and the effort to provide public information and

research by:

Both Donations Include:

Adoption Certificate

8.5” x 11” Image of Wolves Quarterly Sawtooth Legacy News

Bumper Sticker

*adoptions auto renew as memberships after first year

Donating to WERC on behalf of the Sawtooth Pack, which includes the following choices:

SAWTOOTH LEGACY LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP

In addition to the Alpha Membership items, a Legacy Membership recognizes your investment

in the future of WERC and our ability to expand our educational programs and role in Wolf Conservation in Idaho and the World. This membership includes a customized plaque recognizing your shared investment in our ability to carry out our mission. This membership includes unlimited visits for the

Member and up to 5 guests per year.

Lifetime Membership........................................$2,500.00 Lifetime Family or Corporate Membership ....$5,000.00

Visit us online at www.wolfcenter.org or use the form on page 3 to submit your membership!

Adopting a Wolf Annual Donation of $25.00 OR

Adopt the Sawtooth Pack Annual Donation of $50.00

SAWTOOTH PACK GENERAL MEMBERSHIP (or renewal) Individual.....$25.00 Family.....$60.00 Become a Member today and your tax-deductible donation will help deliver educational messages about wolves to people around the world. It will also help us continue to care for the ambassadors of wolf conservation, the Sawtooth Pack: Wolves of the Nez Perce. • Quarterly subscription to the Sawtooth Legacy News • Unlimited Admission for Member or Family • Personalized Member packet that includes an 8.5” x

11” image of each member of the Sawtooth Pack • Discounts on merchandise

SAWTOOTH PACK ALPHA MEMBERSHIP (or renewal) Individual.....$100.00 Family.....$250.00 • Quarterly subscription to the Sawtooth Legacy News • Free Unlimited Admissions for you and your guests • Personalized Member packet including an 8.5” x 11”

Image of each member of the Sawtooth Pack • Two Wolf Education & Research Center T-Shirts

(4 for Sawtooth Legacy Family) • Discounts on Merchandise • Limited quantity print of the Elder Eight

3

Become a Member of the Pack

I want to help keep WERC in the forefront of the fight to preserve Wolves around the region and world by support-ing the Wolf Education & Research Center and the effort to provide public information and research by:

Adopt a Wolf for an annual donation of $25.00 OR Adopt the Sawtooth Pack for an annual donation of $50.00

Both donations Include: • Adoption Certificate • 8.5” x 11” Image of Wolves • Quarterly Sawtooth Legacy News • Bumper Sticker *adoptions auto renew as memberships after first year

Donating to WERC on behalf of the Sawtooth Pack, which includes the following choices (circle one):

SAWTOOTH PACK GENERAL MEMBERSHIP (or re-newal) Individual.....$25.00 Family.....$60.00 Become a Member today and your tax-deductible donation will help deliver educational messages about wolves to people around the world. It will also help us continue to care for the ambassadors of wolf conserva-tion, the Sawtooth Pack: Wolves of the Nez Perce. • Quarterly subscription to the Sawtooth Legacy News • Unlimited Admission for Member or Family • Personalized Member packet that includes an 8.5” x

11” image of each member of the Sawtooth Pack • Discounts on merchandise SAWTOOTH PACK ALPHA MEMBERSHIP (or renewal) Individual.....$100.00 Family.....$250.00 • Quarterly subscription to the Sawtooth Legacy News • Free Unlimited Admissions for you and your guests • Personalized Member packet including an 8.5” x 11”

image of each member of the Sawtooth Pack • Two Wolf Education & Research Center T-Shirts

(4 for Sawtooth Legacy Family) • Discounts on Merchandise • Limited quantity print of the Elder Eight SAWTOOTH LEGACY LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP In addition to the Alpha Membership items, a Legacy Membership recognizes your investment in the future of WERC and our ability to expand our educational programs and role in Wolf Conservation in Idaho and the World. This membership includes a customized plaque recogniz-ing your shared investment in our ability to carry out our mission. This membership includes unlimited visits for the Member and up to 5 guests per year. Lifetime Membership .......................................$2,500.00 Lifetime Family or Corporate Membership ....$5,000.00

Give A Gift Adoption or Membership Share your appreciation for wolves and the wilderness with the friends and family on your gift list. Give them an Adoption Kit or Membership to the Wolf Education & Research Center and they, too, can enjoy all of the membership benefits. You will be helping to educate the world and giving your loved ones a truly meaningful gift. Name _____________________________________ Address ___________________________________ __________________________________________ City ______________________________________ State _________________ Postal Code __________ Country ___________________________________ Phone ____________________________________ Email _____________________________________ My donation enclosed is :

one time gift of $___________

monthly pledge of $__________ T-Shirt Sizes (specify quantity): Children’s Sizes: __sm __med __lg Adult Sizes: __sm __med __lg __xl __xxl Payment Method:

MasterCard Visa Check/Money Order

Please make checks payable to:

Wolf Education and Research Center 111 Main Street, Suite 150

Lewiston, Idaho 83501 Fax: 888-422-1110

Credit Card# ___________________________ Exp. Date______________ CSV Code _______ Signature ______________________________

The Wolf Education and Research Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

www.wolfcenter.org

WOLF EDUCATION & RESEARCH CENTERWOLF EDUCATION & RESEARCH CENTER

Adopt a Wolf or Become a Member of WERC

4

SPRING 2007

WOLF DELISTING IN IDAHO C Anderson, WERC One doesn't need to be a nature enthusiast to recognize ignorance when it raises its ugly head. Over the past week, whether you're reading Idaho's newspapers, surfing vari-ous online blogs, or applying for membership to a local Chamber of Commerce, ignorance has eclipsed the Idaho landscape. State government's representation of "the peo-ple" fell profoundly short when in one divisively sweeping remark, Idaho's highest official got in line to kill wolves. In fact, if you haven't already read it, his exact words were "... I'm going to bid for the first ticket to shoot a wolf." If you can stomach it, read the entire article at http://www.idahostatesman.com/102/story/67393.html.

I've always considered myself a conservative. I'm involved in my church, encourage generosity, and believe in the de-liberate practice of serving others. When it comes to the environment, stewardship and value of life are core to my beliefs. While I take great pleasure in stringing a fish and have great memories of hunting chuckers and pheasant as a young adult, I cannot imagine being supportive of any ideology that promotes the ignorant and senseless ruina-tion of a species, human or otherwise. When I was a small child, I found great side-splitting pleas-ure in holding a 99 cent magnifier over an ant hill and

watching the ants sizzle in the sun. I think boys are hard-wired to keep a magnifier in their back-pocket next to a rock and a slingshot, being the opportunists of destruction that we are. Along the way, however, I grew up and be-came a little horrified by even that small of an act. Never-theless, when I see my young sons standing over the crack in our driveway with magnifier in hand in anticipation of their prey, I don't chastise them. They'll sizzle an ant or ten. Common sense tells me that their values will one day merge with adulthood. They'll probably look back with a guilty smile, their secret killing sprees being chalked up to a primitive rite of passage reserved for children, hopefully replaced by the values of men.

It's time for Idaho to grow up. It's time for all of us to take a look at our values and where we are going as a people. If our officials can't lead the way, then we need to lead them. Here are some helpful tips for you to get involved: Research the subject of Wolf Delisting. One productive way of doing this is to utilize Google Alerts and have articles sent to you daily, weekly, or however often you can, stand in the middle of a crowded room and throw your arms up in despair at the ludicrous subject. Also, learn more about the myths and facts about wolves at www.idahowolves.org. Write your elected officials. Write to my elected officials. If you think that this subject is limited to Idaho--today it's wolves in Idaho, tomorrow, who knows? Do you know where your children are? Support organizations that promote an intelligent and re-spectful dialogue, and are committed to education so that future voters elect adults to office. These organizations need your support now more than ever as issues like this rob us of our resources as we defend our values. We're in this for the long haul. The Wolf Education & Re-search Center continues to move into the spotlight to pro-vide this type of understanding that is critical in the effort to defend life. I hope you'll join the fight.

Learn more about the myths and facts about wolves at www.idahowolves.org.

5

SPRING 2007

Keep up to Date on Wolf News & Events at

WWW.WOLFCENTER.ORG

RESISTING DELISTING

“I’m prepared to bid for that first ticket to shoot a wolf myself.”

- Idaho Gov. Butch Otter, speaking to an anti-wolf rally at the Idaho Statehouse.

IT CAN HAPPEN AGAIN. R Hobson In the early decades of the 20th century, war was waged against the wolf. Only through reintroduc-tion and legal protection was the wolf reestab-lished. Now, with delisting and state control of wolves looming, we've heard that Idaho Fish and Game intends to destroy almost 80% of the wolf popula-tion across the entire state of Idaho. It's the plan of the Idaho Fish and Game to manage wolves at just 15 packs, at the very edge of the minimum number required by law. There's great concern that this will not give the wolf population a proper buffer against losses to disease or other factors. During a media conference, officials of the Idaho Fish and Game stated that they weren’t going to kill all the wolves in Idaho, essentially, because they couldn’t get to them all. State governments are ill-suited to manage wolves. Governor Otter of Idaho has stated that he wants only 10 packs of wolves, below the minimum re-quired by the Endangered Species Act, in the en-tire state, and to purchase the first tag to kill a wolf. In Wyoming, state law lists wolves as predatory animals, along with jackrabbits, porcupines, skunks, and stray cats. Animals so listed can be shot by anyone, at any time.

7

SPRING 2007

WHY RESIST DELISITNG? The Endangered Species Act requires that the gray wolf be fully recovered before it can be delisted, and that States like Wyo-ming and Idaho have responsible plans in place to manage wolf populations.

Today wolves are not ready to lose federal protection because: • The Wyoming and Idaho plans will not

protect wolves. • Wyoming would allow wolves to be shot

on sight in most of the State, and the Fish and Wildlife Service has rejected Wyoming’s management plan.

• Idaho Governor “Butch” Otter has said

the state will seek to kill 75% of the wolf population; Idaho’s official position (based on House Joint Memorial 5 which prefaces the Idaho wolf Manage-ment plan) calls for removing all wolves from Idaho “by any means necessary”.

• It is not clear that current wolf popula-

tions are adequate to ensure recovery

in the region. Human population growth, habitat development and disease pre-sent ongoing challenges to wolf recov-ery.

• The Fish and Wildlife Service could and

should do more to help resolve conflicts with livestock owners, using non-lethal methods where possible. In turn, the livestock industry could be better regu-lated to decrease these conflicts.

BEFORE WOLVES CAN BE DELISTED: • Every state with wolf populations must

have a credible plan in place to maintain healthy, sustainable wolf populations.

• The Fish and Wildlife Service must thor-

oughly examine how trends in habitat loss could increase human-caused mor-tality of wolves, and take steps to avoid any future harm to the wolves.

• The Fish and Wildlife Service must es-

tablish a science-based ecosystem ap-proach to wolf recovery.

• There must be demonstrated wolf

movement between the populations of Yellowstone, Central Idaho and Glacier.

• There must be adequate funding in

place to ensure that healthy wolf popu-lations can be maintained; currently there are no guarantees of adequate funding.

CONTRIBUTE TO THE SUPPORT OF WERC

Wolf education is in a crisis. Federal and State policy is opening the door to killing wolves and organizations like WERC stand in

the gap between policy and the protection of wildlife. The mission of the Wolf Education & Research Center is needed more now

than ever.

We can't win this fight without you. Wolves and other wildlife can't live safely without you. Visit www.wolfcenter.org today for more

information on how you can help.

8

SPRING 2007

After the greatest recovery of an endangered species

ever, the new generation of wolves in Idaho now face a

very real possibility of being eradicated like their

not long ago relatives.

...Continued from Page 2 and beyond to states with future wolf populations could never be more evident. WERC has worked extremely hard at building relationships within its local community that has allowed our mission statement to carry forward in schools, community centers and state parks. Chambers of Commerce, regional tourism organizations and local business has begun to support WERC and its message of education equals coexistence. It is unfortunate that those decision makers for the State of Idaho have not embraced what WERC's local community has finally figured out; wolves are here, we may not like them, but we are willing to find a way to live with them. Once again we are asking for your support so that WERC may be a voice for the wolf. Because of your efforts last Spring, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game's attempt to kill seventy-five percent of the wolf population in North Cen-tral Idaho was rejected by the federal government. This new attempt by Idaho to kill seventy-five percent of wolves throughout the state must be met with the same commitment and fervor. WERC is not only asking for your financial support but also your time. We ask that you contact your federal representa-tives, the Secretary of the Interior and Idaho tourism organi-zations expressing your anger and dismay at Idaho's posi-tion regarding wolves. Secretary of the Interior 1849 C St NW Washington, D.C. 20340 Lewiston Chamber of Commerce 111 Main St Lewiston, ID 83501 www.lewistonchamber.org To contact your representative: Senate: type last name.senate.gov House: www.house.gov/type last name

PASSING OF AYET January 9, 2007 J Heft, WERC The Wolf Education and Research Center is saddened to announce the passing of another member of the Sawtooth Pack: Wolves of the Nez Perce. The long time alpha-female Ayet was discovered deceased on Christmas Eve, December 24. Ayet was recently removed from her alpha-female rank by her sister, Motoki, after a severe wind storm that fell three trees across the fences of the pack's enclosure and disrupted pack hierarchy dynamics. Motoki successfully deposed Ayet two days after the storm, and Ayet appeared to accept her new position as a submissive within the hierarchy. As with all alpha depositions, Ayet endured an increase in dominance displays from the pack and thus sustained some mod-erate injuries to her rump and hind legs. Such injuries are normal for captive wolf hierarchy disputes, and Ayet continued nor-mal health for the next five days until she suddenly died in the early morning of December 24. A necropsy has shown that Ayet sustained a pulmonary embolism, a blood clot that traveled from the injured muscle of her hind legs to her lungs, ending her life instantly. There is no realistic treatment or prevention for such a condition in captive wolves. The pack and WERC staff are now recovering from the loss of our "little sister", and the pack hierarchy has stabilized again. Ayet was ten and a half years old, and will be missed by us all.

Adoptions Make Great Gifts!

Share your appreciation for wolves and the wilderness with the friends and family on your gift list. You will be

helping to educate the world and giving your loved ones a truly meaningful gift. Your gift will keep WERC in the

forefront of the fight to preserve Wolves around the region and world.

Adopt Motomo, Motoki, or Piyip for one year........$25.00 Adopt the Sawtooth Pack for one year...................$50.00

Sawtooth Adopt a Wolf You can help in the ongoing care for the Sawtooth Pack: Wolves of the Nez Perce by adopting our three remaining wolves. Adopt a Wolf with WERC and in the first year, you'll receive an Adoption Kit that includes: • Adoption Certificate • 8.5" x 11" Image of Wolves • Quarterly Sawtooth Legacy News • Bumper Sticker Adoptions include one or all from Alpha male, Motomo, Alpha female Motoki, Mid-ranking male Piyip.

10

SPRING 2007

THE SUMMER WOLF TRACKING EXPEDITION in IDAHO J Knight, Wilderness Tracking School Wilderness Awareness School returns to Central Idaho July 29-August 4, 2007 for the tenth year in a row to offer our popular Summer Wolf Tracking Expe-dition. This year, we are excited to be partnering with staff from the Wolf Education and Research Center! During the trip, participants join our seasoned wildlife tracking instructors and WERC staff for a week to learn about gray wolves and their environment through studying their tracks and signs.

Days are spent exploring the landscape, learning the skills of animal tracking, and observing wildlife, while evenings are filled with stories from the day, educa-tional presentations (featuring WERC information on wolf biology, current status and conservation in the western U.S. this year), music, and laughter. Wilderness Awareness School’s Summer Wolf Track-ing Expedition offers an exciting opportunity to learn the art of tracking in a beautiful setting. Central Idaho contains an amazing diversity of wildlife within an ex-pansive landscape ideal for tracking and trailing. From pine martens and wolverines to mountain lions and moose, these mountains and valleys have con-tinually provided participants with fascinating discov-eries and learning experiences. Since 1983 Wilderness Awareness School has taught animal tracking as a valuable tool for reading the landscape, learning the intricacies of wild animals around us, and building stronger connections with the environment. In 1997, Keith Marshall, former track-ing instructor (and former staff member at the Wolf Education and Research Center), developed our first expedition to Idaho. At the time, wolves had been recently re-introduced into the region and monitoring efforts were under-funded. In its first few years, not

only did the expedition provide an excellent opportu-nity to study wolves in their natural environment, but the data collected enabled wildlife managers to deter-mine wolf populations in specific areas and verify ar-eas of use and non-use. Highlights from the Summer Wolf Tracking Expedition typically include seeing and experiencing a rich diver-sity of fresh wolf tracks and sign, and live sightings of the wildlife that associate with them (and though we always strive to stay “a day behind” the wolves so as not to disturb them, we sometimes also spot the wolves themselves). During a day in the field on last summer’s expedition, while on a trail we had walked several days before, we discovered tracks of four dif-ferent wolves on top of our own footprints, including those of a large male. Following the wolf prints led us into an area abundant with badger digs. Shortly after entering this area, a badger came out of its hole and allowed our group to observe it for over a half hour before heading off on its way – an experience I’m sure none of us will ever forget. Beyond the observations, facts and data, there is something wonderful about following a set of wolf prints. The experience of seeing what the animal saw and interpreting how it moved strikes a chord deep inside of us. Tracking wolves shows us what it means to be free and wild in a vast wilderness. Studying wolves through the art of tracking can reveal a new depth of these animals’ beauty, grace, and untamed intelligence.

Jason Knight teaches tracking at Wilderness Aware-ness School and is a wildlife biologist and certified tracker. He will be co-leading this summer’s Idaho Wolf Tracking Expedition. To find out more about Wilderness Awareness School and the Summer Wolf Tracking Expedition, visit www.WildernessAwareness.org.

11

SPRING 2007

SUCCESS OR HISTORY REPEATING ITSELF WERC Staff As many of you are aware, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USF&WS) in January of 2007 moved forward with its plan to remove wolves from the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The basis for this action was the fact that wolves in the Northern Rocky Mountains (NRM) had met the biological requirements set forth at the start of the recovery program. Unfortunately for the USF&WS the biological aspect of the recovery is not the only guiding factor in removing the wolves from the ESA. Each of the three core states in the recovery area, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming are required to have a wolf management plan approved by the USF&WS as the second part of the recovery crite-ria. Idaho and Montana had received approval of their plans; Wyoming to this day has not. Herein lays the conundrum for the Service. After careful reading of the federal proposal to remove wolves from the ESA, environmental organizations began to notice inconsistencies in what the Service proposed and what the states have in their plans. As more questions came forth, even before the deadline for the public comment period, (May 8th, 2007) the Service and the present ad-ministration moved forward on two other fronts to as-sure that states will manage wolves by whatever means necessary; amend the current 10J paragraph in the ESA for the second time in three years to allow wolves to be killed if they are considered to be a factor in big game herd decline, the second is simply change the ESA itself.

Presently, 10J states that based on sound science, wolves need to be recognized as the prime factor in big game herd depredation before any lethal removal can take place to preserve herds. With the subtle change in 10J any state fish and game department could simply say – elk are in decline in this area, wolves habitat this area – therefore wolves are the problem. No attention to other factors such as other predators, drought, harsh winter, fire, etc. need to be considered for the decline of the big game population in that area. With this line of thinking, wolves could only survive if they became vege-tarians. If the 10J proposal was not enough, on March 16, 2007, the Department of the Interior proposed a reinterpreta-tion of the ESA. This proposal came in under the radar of many organizations as there was no press confer-ence to announce the change. Dale Hall, of the USF&WS simply said that this new change will allow easier management of wolves in the NRM. The proposed change in the ESA has wide ranging con-sequences, not only for wolves, but for many other en-dangered species as well. This action was facilitated by the administration to halt their continued losing record in court cases brought forth by environmental organiza-tions using specific language in the ESA to protect spe-cies and the habitat they live in. (See WERC website for article) It is an unfortunate situation that in today’s world man-agement of wildlife is a necessary evil. However, this evil need not be compounded by using it as an excuse by those exacting revenge on environmental groups. The wolf is truly not the issue. The issue is local politi-cians and anti government groups in the NRM states using the wolf as a symbol of their frustrations with federal law and the rest of the country. The perception of losing an America they once knew, taken away and changed to some bio-diversified world by what they see as outsiders, brings a fear into their world that many of us cannot even begin to imagine. The USF&WS lead by former Idaho Governor, Dirk Kempthorne, is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that his former constituents and friends can gain satisfaction from knowing that state governments will have the legal right to reenact the wholesale killing of wolves today as it was done one hundred years ago. As one representative of an Idaho sportsman’s group once said…our grandfathers got rid of the vermin once because they had to…for us it’s all about getting even.

12

SPRING 2007

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

History of the Sawtooth Pack History of the Sawtooth Pack

Pack is transferred from Stanley, Idaho (their initial home) to an enclosure outside Winchester on Nez Perce Tribal land. At that time, members and rank: Kamots (alpha-male), Chemukh (alpha-female), Matsi (beta-male), Amani, Motomo, Lakota, Wahots (omega-male), Weyekin (omega-female), and the four-month old pups born of Kamots and Chemukh (Piyip, Motoki, and Ayet). After the birth of the pups, all females are tubally litigated. The structure of the pack remained stable for the next sev-eral years.

AUGUST 1996

Weyekin dies from complications caused by a blockage in her large intestine.

OCTOBER 1999

Motoki and Ayet overthrow Che-mukh from her alpha ranking. Ayet becomes alpha-female and Chemukh is demoted to the role of omega-female.

NOVEMBER 1999

Kamots is overthrown from alpha ranking by most males of the pack. No male immediately as-sumes alpha ranking and Kamots is outcast from the pack.

FEBRUARY 2000

Amani and Matsi challenge one another for alpha ranking over the duration of two weeks. Matsi is eventually exiled from the pack. Amani is now the alpha-male, and Kamots remains an outcast from the pack (not an omega). Piyip assumes beta-male rank.

MARCH 2000

Kamots is found dead inside enclo-sure. The involvement of the pack in Kamots’ death remains un-known. Amani becomes a stronger alpha, as Matsi assumes omega-male role, receiving nor-mal, superficial wounds.

JUNE 2000

Chemukh jumps the enclosure fence suddenly and unexpectedly. Despite extensive search efforts, she is never seen again. Conflicts between Matsi and the pack in-crease until he sustains a major injury and is removed from enclo-sure permanently. Surgery is per-formed to save Matsi’s life and he subsequently must live separated from the pack indefinitely. Wa-hots returns to omega-male.

OCTOBER 2000

www.wolfcenter.org

Wolves of the Nez Perce Wolves of the Nez Perce

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Matsi is transferred into the new two-acre enclosure to live out the remainder of his natural life.

SEPTEMBER 2001

Amani is overthrown from alpha rank and is exiled from pack. The very next day, Motoki challenges Ayet and wins, becoming alpha-female. During the female fight, Motomo successfully challenges Piyip and wins the alpha-male rank. Lakota moves to beta-male, Piyip and Ayet are temporarily ex-iled from pack, and Wahots moves up to mid-rank.

JANUARY 2002

After already mating with Motoki, Motomo courts and mates with Ayet. With support from Motomo, Ayet challenges and wins back alpha-female rank from Motoki.

FEBRUARY 2002

Amani is permanently removed from the en-closure due to health and safety concerns. Piyip and Ayet rejoin the pack hierarchy. Piyip regains mid-rank male status and bumps Wahots back to omega-male again.

MARCH 2002

Lakota loses beta-male rank to Piyip in a non-violent overthrow.

APRIL 2002

Lakota dies of natural causes (old age).

MAY 2002

Amani is transferred into the two-acre enclo-sure with Matsi.

JULY 2002

Matsi dies suddenly from a rup-tured liver.

NOVEMBER 2003

Wahots dies suddenly from unde-termined causes (old age).

JANUARY 2004

Amani is euthanized due to a ter-minal and extremely painful condi-tion (cancer caused his urinary bladder to rupture).

NOVEMBER 2005

A severe windstorm falls three trees onto the enclosure, causing a disruption in the female hierar-chy. Ayet is deposed by Motoki and a week later Ayet dies of a pulmonary embolism (caused from the injuries during the hierarchy overthrow).

DECEMBER 2006

SPRING 2007

KIDS COLORING PAGE ...................... 16

WOLF TRIVIA CROSSWORD PUZZLE ................................ 17

More LITTLE PAW COMING SOON

Wolf Education & Research Center WERC IS DEDICATED TO PROVID ING TRA IN ING IN ITS EDUCATION PR OGRAMS.

Visit the website at www.wolfcenter.org to stay tuned on new education programs for children.

WERC Looks to Expand Education Program

Education about the wolf and its habitat is an ever changing grow-ing job. From the eradication of almost every wolf in the lower forty eight states, in the early 1900’s, to today’s battle over de-listing, one constant remains, misinformation about the wolf In an effort to grow with the needs to educate the public about the wolf, WERC has found that many people lack the understanding of the wolf’s role in the total eco-system. For many years WERC has focused primarily on the wolf, its biology and behaviors, with a

sprinkling of how the wolf fits into an eco-system. In today’s world, to focus singu-larly on the wolf may be doing it an injustice. With that in mind WERC has begun the process of developing a holistic approach to its education programs. The Cen-ter’s education programs will now look to include other large preda-tors, birds of prey, prey species, watershed and the forest as a whole. To do this, WERC will be intro-ducing several different levels of programs that will range from K-12. It is WERC’s hope that these programs will be made available to educators around the globe through WERC’s website where curriculum can be downloaded if desired.

THE WOLVES DEN FOR CHILDREN

education

For the younger students the Center will un-veil “Little Paw,” a fictional wolf based on the song of the same name written by WERC’s Board member Roy Farrar some years ago at the start of the wolf recovery in the Rocky Mountains. Little Paw will introduce students to the world of the wolf by taking them on adventures that every wolf faces in their journey through life. It is our hope that you are members and sup-porters will embrace WERC’s new effort to bring an understanding to people as to the importance of the wolf in a holistic eco-system. N Fiore, WERC

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www.wolfcenter.org

Howling keeps pack mates together. Because wolves range over vast areas to find food, they are often separated from one another. Of all their calls, howling is the only one that works over great distances. Its low pitch and long duration are well suited for transmission in forests and across tundra, and unique features of

each individual's howl allow wolves to identify each other. Howling is a long distance contact and reunion call; separate a wolf from its pack, and very soon it will begin howling, and howling, and howling...

WOLF HOWLING Coloring Page

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WOLF TRIVIA Crossword Puzzle

ACROSS 1 Wolves travel in groups, or _____ 5 A wolf pack’s home area 7 A wolf that lives by itself 8 Plural of ‘wolf’ 9 The lowliest wolf in a pack 11 Wolves were placed on the _____ species list

in 1967

DOWN 2 A small member of the canine family, closely

related to the wolf 3 A wolf is a flesh eater, or _____ 4 The sound that a wolf makes 6 Another name for the gray wolf is the _____

Wolf 10 Wolves belong to the canine or _____ family 12 The dominant male or female of a pack 13 The birth place of a litter of wolf pups

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INTERN PROGRAM ................................ 19

DISCOVERY TRAIL TRACKING BOX .................................20

Wolf Education & Research Center CONTRIBUTE TO WERC BY BECOMING A MEMBER, ADOPTING A WOLF, BEING AN INTERN, VOLUNTEERING OR DONATING!

Your support is crucial and we appreciate your demonstration of confidence in us. Help WERC in the forefront of the fight to preserve Wolves around the region and world.

The WERC Experience: Developing Interns One of the most integral and re-warding aspects of WERC's opera-tion are the hard working interns that assist the staff with caring for the Sawtooth Pack. Without these generous individuals, many of the on site work projects and educa-tion programs would not be possi-ble, as well as the many off site education programs. These interns arrive as students and graduates from all over the world. They make a three month commitment to WERC to live in rustic conditions in exchange for a small stipend and a grueling work load, and the excitement of being part of biology history. The payoff for the intern is the opportunity to live in and work around the remaining members of the Sawtooth Pack, Wolves of the

Nez Perce. It is a chance to get up close and personal with a wolf, to observe behaviors that most people do not see and when pos-sible get hands on experience with the most politically polarizing animal in our eco-system. The WERC Experience provides the intern with an opportunity to en-gage the public about the impor-tance of the wolf in the wilder-ness. WERC would like to this opportu-nity to thank our present intern, Trae Fairbanks, for her effort in developing two new programs for the Center's on-site education presentations. (A tracking box and a scent station) Trae was also WERC's winter intern who had time to conduct her own re-search projects; the first was done on dominance behaviors

WERC RESEARCH

research

breeding season the second is on scent rolling. As we move into the summer season the Center would like to welcome Kimberly Hale (PA), Chris Smith (WA), Matt Christman (NY) and Chiji Ochiagha (CA) on their selection as WERC's in-coming interns.

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VISIT THE WERC WEBSITE! Check out the newly redesigned Wolf Education & Research Center Website at:

www.wolfcenter.org

Up to Date Info on Wolves

Pictures of Sawtooth Pack

Buy from our Online Store

Information about Visitor’s Center

Learn about Regional & National Events

INTERN PROGRAM The intern positions with WERC are intended to complement an individual's transition from the aca-demic studies to the professional working environ-ment. Our captive wolf pack resides on a three hundred acre site, leased from the Nez Perce Tribe. The facility is located approximately 1 mile west of the town of Winchester, Idaho. Our visitor center is primarily an educational facility with the focus on wolves, gray wolf reintroduction in Idaho, the culture and history of the Nez Perce Tribe along with other regional environmental and multi specie issues. Interns are usually involved with all aspects of the operation of the three hundred acre site. This pro-gram has been developed for the college or univer-sity student who needs to fulfill certain educational or work experience requirements for graduation. The intern program is typically of a three-month duration but there is some flexibility in this. Along with the invaluable learning experiences that interns receive in this program, you will also have a unique experience living in a rustic environment. Housing is provided in the form of insulated wall tents that are heated with a wood stove. There is no running water or electricity. Potable water is hauled to the site and meal preparation is done with propane cooking appliances. Winters can be difficult at times with average snow-fall at the site approximately three feet in depth with average daily temperatures between ten and fifteen degrees. Summers are just the opposite, hot and usually dry in July and August. These living condi-tions may be the most difficult challenges that you have faced.

Application Deadlines: Fall 2007 - May 25, 2007 Winter 2007/2008 - August 24, 2007 Spring 2007 - November 27, 2006 Summer 2007 - March 2, 2007 This is a unique opportunity working with wolves. The re-wards and growth that we offer through this program will be a once in a lifetime experience that will remain with you forever. If you are seriously interested and feel you can make this type of commitment, please fill out the questionnaire and application online at www.wolfcenter.org.

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Traleathea Fairbanks, Winter/Spring Intern Cincinnati, Ohio

Objective: Expose the public to the meaning of tracking. Aid the public in identifying various wildlife tracks. Inform the public about the behaviors associated with the various animals presented through tracking. Develop the concept of the interconnectedness of na-ture. Purpose: The tracking box will help guests who come to WERC's guided tours become more acquainted with wildlife by understanding their ecology through the tracks and signs they leave behind. Our goal in intro-ducing the public to tracking is to create a link between understanding wildlife, which will in turn help the tracker understand him/herself. This will hopefully fur-ther develop a sense of unity with nature and an awareness to ensure its permanence. Design: The tracking box will have dimensions 6' X 3' with a depth of about 8 inches. Cement grade sand will line the base for a depth of 4 inches. The lid for the track-ing box will have, located inside, pictures of tracks with associated animals, measurements of tracks and stride lengths, and did you know facts. The tracking box will be located on the Discovery Trail.

Usage: Staff will have exclusive usage of the tracking box. Public audience members may be permitted to use with the staff’s assistance. Children will not be al-lowed to climb inside or play in the box; this is an inter-pretive tool, not a playground sandbox. A display sign will be located near the tracking box to explain proper guest etiquette.

Sample Lesson Plan: Objectives Introduce the habits and behavior of the beaver Aid the public in identifying beaver tracks. Develop the concept of the interconnectedness of na-ture and how the beaver can help bring about new ecosystems. Background/Introduction The beaver is the only survivor of the Castoridae fam-ily. The genus Castoroides contained giant beavers that shared the Alaskan landscape with the wooly mammoth. In 1930 the beaver had to be protected due to trapping activities that nearly led to the animal's extinction. Now the beaver is in most of its natural range except for Florida, Northern and Southern Cali-fornia, Arizona and Nevada. Beavers secrete a scent from their castor gland that they rub on themselves to keep their fur watertight and as a scent-marking tool. Beavers cannot resist this scent and that was their downfall during the trapping era. Native Americans used this oil for medicinal pur-poses, and the scent does have properties similar to aspirin. Some manufacturing companies use the scent for perfumes. Beavers are the largest rodents in the U.S. and second largest in the World. Beavers can weigh anywhere from 28-75 lbs, with the largest beaver on record weighing in at 93 lbs. Beavers can continue to grow as long as they live, yet rarely do they reach weights above the average.

WERC is committed to enhancing not only the experience of our guests but also that of our interns. By committing to helping them secure support and funding for their projects, we encourage the initiative of deepening our education experience. Over the years, WERC Interns have contributed to the programs in

immeasurable ways. Through a section of the Sawtooth Legacy Quarterly dedicated to Research, we hope to profile the accomplishments of staff and interns. We hope you enjoy reading about their efforts.

Encourage the education of others! Become a Research Partner by writing "Research Partner" on your check.

...Continued on Page 21

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DISCOVERY TRAIL TRACKING BOX

SPRING 2007

...Continued from Page 20 The beaver's tail is about 15 in long with a width of about 7 in wide. The tail is flat and scaly; it uses its tail for fat storage in the winter, temperature regulator, and as a balance when carrying heavy loads. (During early American trapping, the Pope had declared the beaver a fish due to its tail having scales. French trap-pers would eat beaver to coincide with their Catholic religious belief of not eating meat on certain days). Beavers live in colonies with a breeding pair and 4 or 5 immediate offspring, newborn to 2 years of age. At the age of 2, kits leave parental care to start their own colonies, except for times of environmental stress, and then the kits may stay a bit longer. Beavers eat the cambium of trees and store winter food caches at the bottom of ponds to pile up near their lodges. Predators of the beaver include wolves (when deer population crashed in Algonquin Park, wolves preyed upon beavers), coyotes, bobcats, lynx, bears, mink, wolverines, river otters, and humans. Activity While holding the front and hind track of the beaver, explain as you make the impression in the sand, that unlike other rodents who have 4 toes on the front paw and 5 on the hind, the beaver has 5 toes on both the front and the hind paws. Also explain that due to the tail, most tracks usually only show 3 or 4 toes (tail de-molishes most of the track) Once the impression has been made, explain the structures seen in the prints and measurements. Front 2 7/8 to 3 7/8 long 2 ¾ to 3 ½ wide Hind 5 to 6 ¼ long 3 ¼ to 5 ¼ wide These measurements are dependent on how many toes are present in the track. Explain that one of the most identifying marks of the track is the large broad nails and two heel portion, and webs that may show up in the tracks. Demonstrate the stride and trail width of the beaver (stride 6 to 10 inches, and trail width 6 to 10 ¾) Explain that the beaver does not do direct registering (the hind paws overlaps the front while walking).

Discussion Make a continuous path of beaver tracks going from the length of the tracking box and continue to do so three more times over the tracks. Ask what would cause the beaver to exhibit this behavior? (Answer, the beaver is carrying loads back and forth to either build a lodge or pile up wood for a cache). What signs would indicate either behavior (trees with incisor marks-the beaver's incisor measures a quarter of an inch). Also the scent of castor (apparently strong and distinct) will mark the area as the beaver's territory. Explain how the beaver dams up a stream and creates a pond. Ask what happens to the fell trees and what is the result of this new habitat. (The Great blue heron and Great horned owl nests in the dead tree snags, reptile and amphibi-ans move into the area, new herba-ceous plants grow within the area, a new ecosystem is created). Try to reinforce the idea of intercon-nectedness of na-ture and how every-thing has its place in that web. Works Cited: Rendes, Paul (1992) Tracking and the Art of See-ing, Camden House Publishing

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A GREAT WAY TO SPEND THE DAY ... 23

VOLUNTEER PROGRAM ................................ 24

VISITOR’S CENTER HOURS ................ 25

Wolf Education & Research Center THE V IS ITOR CENTER INCLUDES D ISPLAYS & INFORMATION ABOUT THE SAWTOOTH PACK & WOLVES IN THE WILD .

Guides and Naturalists are available to answer your questions and to help you gain insight to wolves, wildlife, nature, and other cultures’ views.

The Weyekin Trail Legacy of the Sawtooth Pack Weyekin; Spirit Guide, spirit jour-ney, for many of you it will bring back memories of the female omega for the Sawtooth Pack, Wolves of the Nez Perce. For WERC it will be the name of the trail leading to the final resting place of the pack. For the past few years the trail, named the Reconciliation Trail, was little used by many guests. Although the resting place for the pack was located at the end of the trail, along with an area to reflect upon daily life, most visitors headed directly out to the obser-vation deck. As the final pack members move through the twilight of their lives, the Center wants to provide a place to celebrate the lives of the entire pack and the important role they played for their wild

cousins; education leads to co-existence. The Center will be developing the trail this year to make it prominent, and hopefully more frequented. To begin with, an etching of each wolf with a small bio will be put onto a tile material that will be mounted onto a rock. The rocks will be placed along the trail leading up to the final resting place for the pack. The area at the end of the trail for reflecting one’s relationship with nature will also be enhanced with seating and some interpretive signs. The Center will begin a cam-paign to fund this project with this newsletter. WERC was gra-ciously given a kick start by member and supporter Tracy Barton with a very generous gift.

VISITOR’S CENTER

center

Those individuals that wish to assist with the project will have their name listed on a plaque in the visitor center. For more information please contact Chris Anderson @ 1-888-422-1110 extension 1 or email at chris.anderson@wolfcenter.org.

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ABOUT THE VISITOR’S ABOUT THE VISITOR’S CENTERCENTER

WERC provides the public with the unique

opportunity to observe and learn about wolves in their natural habitat.

The Visitor Center increases public

awareness of wolves and related issues with programs that educate, awaken and motivate local as well as national residents, which can be the key for preserving wolves

and their habitats into the future.

Observe and learn the ways of the wolf with our resident pack and learn about the

wolf in a peaceful, natural environment.

Experience our interactive and informative displays and exhibits in the Visitor Center. Built in the tradition of the Nez Perce tribal long house, the WERC Visitor Center unites ancient Native American respect for nature

with today's scientific understanding of endangered species and the ecosystems

upon which species depend.

A GREAT WAY TO SPEND A DAY What better way to spend a day than to visit the Wolf Educa-tion and Research Center (WERC). Located on the outskirts of Winchester, Idaho, on the Nez Perce Reservation, the Center offers a wonderful way to learn about wolves and the habitat they exist in. One of the largest of its kind in the United States, the site encompasses two enclosures, trail systems and an interpre-tive visitor center. The main enclosure is made up of twenty acres of rolling timberland with meadows and streams; the smaller second enclosure (two and a quarter acres) is a rep-lica of the main enclosure. These enclosures are home to the Center's resident ambassador wolves.

Lined with interpretive displays about the flora and fauna found in the wolf's habitat, the Center's trail system may also offer views of wild turkey, deer, elk and an occasional moose meandering among the ponderosa pines and fir trees. It is here where you may also hear the howling of the wolves – a sound that you will take with you forever. The Center offers a variety of ways to plan a visit, so let us take a look at them. WERC's interpretive visitor center, made in the tradition of a Nez Perce tribal long house, pro-vides a place for the public to become familiar with ancient Native American respect for nature. It also provides an op-portunity for our visitors to interact with the staff and to ex-perience some hands on education opportunities by way of pelts, bones and replicas of skulls and tracks. A self guided tour allows for guests to stroll along the Cen-ter's trails leading to the main enclosure's observation deck. Upon your return to the visitor center you can speak with staff or interns about some of the things you may have seen on your walk. For those that are educators or may have a group of special friends, WERC offers on and off site education programs. Through the use of visual and tactile aids (similar to what is found in the visitor center) WERC is able to bring the Center to your school or meeting hall. Working at times in conjunc-tion with other organizations such as Mission Wolf of Colo-rado, and Snowden Wildlife Sanctuary of Idaho, some pro-

grams may even be able to offer the presence of live ani-mals such as an ambassador wolf, red fox or a great gray owl, just to name a few to enrich the program content. On-site programs are enhanced by the presence of WERC's captive pack of wolves. Through the use of "classroom" ar-eas, located between the double fences, the public may have the opportunity to view wolf behaviors as close as six feet away. Prices for these programs are dependent upon group size and the availability of live ambassador animals from other organizations. These programs require reserva-tions. So you have some extra time to do more than a self-guided tour, but you are not with a group or a school, have no fear the Center has room for you too. Take a guided tour with a WERC intern or staff member by your side on a walk through the woods to the final destination of WERC's class-rooms. You will enjoy the same benefit of all of WERC's on-site school or group program. This guided tour takes about one and a half hours and similar to group or school pro-grams, requires reservations. The staff at the Center would love to see you, so make your plans and visit the wolves this year. For more information about tours and programs you can call (888) 422-1110 ext 3 or email us at info@wolfcenter.org.

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VOLUNTEER PROGRAM Volunteers are a valued and important part of the WERC and they play an essential role in the many programs that we provide. What is a WERC volunteer and what duties do they perform? A volunteer is typically highly motivated and shares to a high degree our organizational goals and values. They donate their time, effort, energy and money to assist the WERC in fulfilling its mission. Oftentimes members, sponsors, or interested parties and organizations do not desire or cannot donate large sums of money. Instead they donate their time and energy by working at the center. Volunteers usually take time off from their regular jobs and responsibilities and pay their own travel and other expenses while here. To be a successful volunteer at the WERC while enjoying your experience here, you need to display a positive attitude, be proactive, energized, hard working and self-motivated. Volunteers need to be creative, flexible, and responsible. Volunteers need to be able to work with the public and be willing to contribute to the overall development of WERC and the image we uphold. The WERC enjoys a positive relationship with local commu-nities. We expect volunteers to maintain this positive image and relationship. Our visitor center is primarily an educational facility with the focus on wolves, gray wolf and multi-species rein-troduction in Idaho, the culture and history of the Nez Perce Tribe and other regional environmental is-sues. Volunteers are involved in many of the operating aspects of WERC at both the visitor center and the office. Besides the invaluable learning and sharing experiences, volunteers work and participate in a unique experience working around gray wolves and with the Nez Perce Tribe. Early spring and fall can be very pleasant at times, but typically daytime temperatures are in the sixties with night time lows in the forties. This is also the typical rainy times of the year. The summers are usually hot and dry during the months of July and August. WERC appreciates all volunteers and the services they donate. The length of stay varies with the duties and responsibilities that are agreed upon at the time of acceptance. To Apply: If you are seriously interested and feel you can make this type of commitment, submit an application, letter of introduction (including a description of you capabilities and skills) and a letter of reference. Send to: Volunteer Coordinator, Wolf Education & Re-search Center, Post Office Box 217, Winchester, Idaho 83555 Application deadline: At least one month before desired start date. For local volunteers at least one week before desired start date. For more information visit www.wolfcenter.org.

The opportunity to meet and work with individuals from various backgrounds and cultures. The opportunity to serve and be involved in something you care about. Environmental education learning opportunities. A unique opportunity working around gray wolves. Opportunity for valuable work experience. Opportunity for your employer to provide in-kind donation of your working skills/knowledge to the WERC.

Benefits of Volunteering at WERC

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Memorial Day to Labor Day:

Open daily 9:00 am to 5:00 pm for self-guided tours and general visitation. Guided tours available daily 7:30 am and 7:00 pm except Sunday p.m. and Monday a.m. Call

ahead to reserve your place as space is limited for each tour.

Weekends in May and September: Open from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm for self-guided tours and general visitation.

Guided tours are available these weekends with twenty-four hour notice. If you would like to take a guided tour please call ahead (twenty-four hours) to book your time slot. Same day tours are

difficult and may not be available.

All Other Times: Guided tours are available outside the above listed hours with twenty-four hour notice. Same

day tours are difficult and may not be available.

Contact the Wolf Education & Research Center

Phone: (888) 422-1110 Email: info@wolfcenter.org

www.wolfcenter.org

To make reservations or obtain more information call (888) 422-1110 Ext. 3. Visit our website at: www.wolfcenter.org for additional information on

scheduling reservations.

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Meet the Staff & Board

Board of Directors

WERC Staff

No organization can operate without a dedicated staff, board of directors, and team of volunteers or interns. WERC is blessed to have some of the finest and committed in all those categories. With various backgrounds in business, engineering, wildlife management, and more, we blend personalities together with the hope of serving the mission of the Wolf Education & Research Center. Please meet them below.

Photo credits courtesy of Aaron Frizzell Photography.

Illustration of Little Paw courtesy of Rebecca Mowry.

Chris Anderson Executive Director Chris.Anderson@wolfcenter.org

Nick Fiore Director of Education Nick.Fiore@wolfcenter.org

Jeremy Heft Wildlife Biologist Jeremy.Heft@wolfcenter.org

Randy Stewart Education & Assistant Randy.Stewart@wolfcenter.org

Douglas Christensen, Idaho Chairman of the Board Doug.Christensen@wolfcenter.org

Roy Farrar, Idaho Board of Directors Roy.Farrar@wolfcenter.org

Sally Farrar, Idaho Board of Directors, Secretary Sally.Farrar@wolfcenter.org

Sharon Landers, California Board of Directors, Treasurer Sharon.Landers@wolfcenter.org

Dennis Olson, Montana Board of Directors Dennis.Olson@wolfcenter.org

For answers to puzzles visit our website at: www.wolfcenter.org/education

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