Spokane7
65°
September 15, 2011 in Idaho
Captive wolf on the lam
Escaped animal had been reported dead by owner
This wolf apparently escaped from the Wolf People sanctuary in Cocolalla, Idaho, in June, despite workers’ insistence that the wolf had died.
(Full-size photo)
When Mark Earls saw a shaggy, white wolf crossing a road in North Idaho’s Hoodoo Valley, he pulled out his cellphone to snap a picture of it.
“What boggled him was that the wolf didn’t run away,” said his wife, Chelsea. “It didn’t appear to be afraid of him.”
The wolf escaped from Wolf People, which operates a retail store on U.S. Highway 95 near Cocolalla, Idaho, and keeps captive wolves for viewing and filming, according to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.
The wolf apparently got out by digging underneath the fence, said Chip Corsi, Fish and Game’s regional manager. By some neighbors’ accounts, it has been seen in the area since June, acting like a stray dog.
A captive wolf on the lam is a concern because it’s used to being around people.
“It’s a habituated Canis lupus and it’s potentially dangerous,” Corsi said. “This thing either needs to go back into captivity or it needs to be euthanized.”
Fish and Game officials have told the Bonner County Sheriff’s Department and neighbors in the Hoodoo Valley that it’s OK to shoot the animal on sight. Since it’s not a wild wolf, it’s not regulated under Idaho’s wolf season, which requires hunters to purchase a hunting license and wolf tag.
A Fish and Game officer took the wolf’s picture to Wolf People owner Nancy Taylor, who confirmed that the wolf belonged to her, Corsi said. She also said that she had previously reported the wolf as dead, he said.
“This was not reported to us like it was supposed to be,” Corsi said. “That’s a problem … I believe she’s required to report escapees pretty quick.”
Neighbors said that a Wolf People volunteer had been taking fliers around, advertising a “lost dog” that looked like a wolf.
Taylor has a state permit to keep captive wolves, and Wolf People’s website said the facility has 18 wolves. Several white wolves are pictured on the site, including a 135-pound male described as an arctic/timber wolf cross, and a 75-pound male. Some of the wolves are taken to a visitor center at the store on a daily basis, but others are kept in large enclosures at another site near Lake Cocolalla, the website said.
Wolf People has been in operation for 21 years, Taylor said Wednesday, but she declined to discuss the incident.
“I don’t feel free to comment at this time,” she said. “I can’t comment without knowing the facts, and I haven’t had a chance to investigate the situation.”
Teresa Gavin lives in the Hoodoo Valley, about 8 miles southeast of Priest River. The picture of the white wolf was snapped on a road adjacent to her property. She keeps a sharp eye on her 4-year-old twins when they’re playing outside but thinks the wolf poses more danger to her dogs and her horse.
“Let’s hope that someone finds him before any harm is done to anyone or their animals,” Gavin said of the wolf.
She thinks Wolf People would have had a better chance of getting the animal back alive if the escape had been reported immediately.
Chelsea Earls keeps a gun handy when her children are playing outside. She said that she and her husband have been vigilant about predators since a coyote killed the family dog last winter.
“It’s not reassuring knowing there’s a wolf around,” she said. “It may be used to people, but it’s still a wild animal.”
Miners to return to Lucky Friday 
MrBloggy on September 15 at 8:14 a.m.
My spirit-brother,
the majestic native Idaho Gray Wolf
weeps at this travesty
if you must shoot this beautiful creature
shoot his heart out
it has already been stolen
kma on September 15 at 8:22 a.m.
Chip Corsi said…………
“It’s a habituated Canis lupus and it’s potentially dangerous,” Corsi said. “This “thing” either needs to go back into captivity or it needs to be euthanized.”
Just goes to point on where the people in Idaho are. “This ”“Thing”“…………..
Corsi, it is a beautiful animal, a wolf.
The_Seer on September 15 at 9:03 a.m.
Is it really pronounced “wuff” with a silent “L” like I hear all the time around here… like “hey, that’s a nice grey “wuff” you have on that t-shirt tucked into your skin-tight wranglers?”
Cocolalla2u on September 15 at 9:11 a.m.
Well, when you lie about your animal being dead, yes, it may be wondering about. I’ve never thought much of that compound. Says it’s on 135 acres, well, we all know better that the wolves are caged in about 5-10 acres of it. These people are suppose to be upstanding in the community, as well as educators, I think not!
BlondeSquawker on September 15 at 9:55 a.m.
Coco, I had no idea that wolves wondered about anything. I wonder if they scratch their heads when they wonder???
tarahn on September 15 at 10:28 a.m.
I accidentally petted this wolf when it was acting like a stray dog around my house. I thought it was a wolf-mix. Seemed shy and, to be honest, pretty friendly. Hope it goes home safely before something happens!
nidahogirl on September 15 at 10:41 a.m.
You know, wolves are beautiful animals, BUT….when you run a conservation center and try to educate the community, you must also teach responsibility. NOT reporting the escape, lying about it, and then trying to pawn it off as a ‘lost dog’ inviting people to approach it causes a liability. The ONLY reason they finally confessed it was their wolf was the picture that was taken and shown to them, they couldn’t deny it. It’s so sad because it’s not the wolf’s fault that it now has a bounty on it’s head, it’s the Wolf People’s fault for not doing the right thing and reporting it as soon as it happened. Now the Wolf People have somewhat sealed it’s fate for not doing the right thing. That sends out the wrong message to the community and now it’s causing problems killing small livestock, and not knowing what this animal is capable of is unsettling.
Chels77 on September 15 at 10:54 a.m.
The Wolf People have done amazing things, for the communtiy and for the wolves. They did report the wolf missing in a timely manner to Fish and Game, I happened to be visiting the Wolf People on the day that Fish and Game showed up, and they knew all about it. Fish and Game has always had it out for Wolf People, any excuse they can find to shut them down, just because a wolf that you have to buy a tag to hunt is worth mroe to them than a live wolf. I prey that this wolf will be captured safely and brought back to Wolf People to live with it’s mate.
wssr on September 15 at 12:42 p.m.
I have flyers out on Kai the missing Siberian Husky all over Sagle/Sandpoint/Priest RIver. I am not associated with Wolf People and Kai is a rescued AKC SIberian Husky. He does not look like a wolf…he is tall, but all Siberian. He is afraid of people as he was abused in his prior home. He is only 2 years old and scared and lost. IF anyone should see him please call 208-255-6331. Thank you!
Freedom1080 on September 15 at 1:20 p.m.
The Wolf People should lost there license and be shut down.
They have proven they are liars not responsible and not capable of contending their wolves.
Shut them down fine them and toss them in jail.
I wonder if they are releasing wolves into the wild on purpose a full investigation on these liars needs to be done.
IdahoRoper on September 15 at 1:42 p.m.
I guess I can not help but wonder if this was actually an escaped wolf or an intentionally released one. Considering the past actions of these folks, that question needs to be asked. And why else would they report it as “dead”?
There needs to be citations issued at the very least, and perhaps it is time to shut this facility down if they are unable to follow the law. As I understand it, this is not their first infraction.
RedRidingHood on September 15 at 1:42 p.m.
Let’s be realistic here, this is not a “wolf” issue as much as it is a dangerous animal issue. The Wolf People chose to own an animal that was potentially dangerous if it got out and yet every precaution was not taken to assure this did not happen (dirt floors not concrete in the kennel). Then, by their own admission, lied and said the wolf had died. This is not the actions of responsible ownership nor is it fair to the wild animal you have chosen to force into captivity. If I owned a vicious pit bull, I would be expected to assure it was not running loose in the community and if it did get loose, at least be responsible enough to inform people it had.
I am appalled that people who claim to love wolves and want to protect them from hunting, lacked the good judgment, honestly and responsibility to report this animal missing immediately. The public would have been more inclined to aid in it’s capture rather than have it come to this. Now this animal, by no fault of it’s own, has a price on it’s head, so to speak and will be shot and killed on sight. So much for protecting your animals so they are not “hunted”.
de3 on September 15 at 6:37 p.m.
Dogs and wolves are the same species.
This dog seems to have been pretty well tamed and sounds like it should be easy enough to catch. From the description in the article, it behaves like a stray dog.
I don’t understand the thinking that this dog should be shot when there is no evidence (in the article) that it has done any harm to anyone nor has it displayed threatening behavior.
I have big northern-breed dogs and am typically asked weekly if the dog I am walking is a wolf. Doesn’t give me much confidence that the general public has a clue about canines.
BlondeSquawker on September 15 at 7:34 p.m.
Killing an animal to punish the humans that love them is inhumane.
RedRidingHood on September 16 at 8:54 a.m.
Keeping any wild animal captive is inhumane period. Too many times the end result is things just like this. The animal NEVER comes out the winner. Either it spends it’s life pacing in a pen, or it becomes out of control in one way or the other and has to be put down or something like this happens. It is sad and should never be allowed. If people want to learn about wolves, they can watch National Geographic. Seeing cages wolves is not truly learning about them all you see is a sad animal in captivity!
No one is trying to punish the owners by killing the wolf. The public was not told about his escape and therefor was left to “guess” if he was dangerous or not. Then they lied and said he was dead. Why would you do that unless you really wanted to keep it quiet he was out. If he was so “tame” I would think flyers telling everyone so and asking to call if he is seen would have been the way to go.
BlondeSquawker on September 16 at 9:29 a.m.
The only time I saw wolves on t.v., RedRidingHood, was when Sarah Palin was shooting them from a helicopter and laughing about it.
BlondeSquawker on September 16 at 9:31 a.m.
Had he put up flyers, blah, blah, blah. He obviously was trying to save it’s life. You people would have still wanted it shot regardless.
BlondeSquawker on September 16 at 9:44 a.m.
The only person I know of who would dare use the name RedRidingHood lives outside Tensed. After merely seeing wolves on her property last winter, she freaked and frothed herself into a panic, went before state legislators with her coached story and ultimately helped get the legal hunt for wolves approved again this year in Idaho. She also is a member of “Don’t Buy Idaho Hunting Tags”, is an outspoken supporter of a convicted elk poacher who ran for governor and she had been involved with anti-wolfies in north Idaho for some time before seeing wolves on her property…her property that backs right up to mountains where wolves live. Ya think?
nidahogirl on September 16 at 10:32 a.m.
Hey Blonde, redridinghood is not who you think, I know who that is and she lives in the area the wolf was spotted. Don’t speak unless you have the facts. I happen to live in the area the wolf has been as well and it has taken out my neighbor’s small livestock already and I don’t want to be the next victim and loose my livestock. Overall, the wolf people are responsible for whatever happens to this wolf because they didn’t do the responsible thing from the start, and now it’s been loose for 3 months and it’s natural instincts are peaking now, it’s hungry and hunting. They think that by driving around with it’s ‘mate’ in the back of their truck will bring it in, which is odd because they aren’t even sure it’s their wolf that is loose, but yet admitted they are missing a wolf, which got loose shortly before the photo was taken………coincidence?
nidahogirl on September 16 at 10:35 a.m.
Also Blonde, by putting up flyers and advertizing this animal as a lost dog, that is inviting people to approach this animal, not knowing how it will react to strangers, posing a HUGE liability on wolf people’s part, and possibly putting people in danger. Stupid.
BlondeSquawker on September 16 at 11:15 a.m.
nidahogirl, do you have a state/federal certified statement that a “small” livestock was killed by this animal? Did you witness the attack?
I never said flyers OF ANY KIND should be posted.
“I would think flyers telling everyone so and asking to call if he is seen would have been the way to go.”
That is RRH’s statement, not mine.
I never said RRH was the person in Tensed, I implied it fit her profile.
Get your facts straight before speaking here. STUPID.
RedRidingHood on September 16 at 11:39 a.m.
Just for the record, my name is Teresa Gavin, I live on the property that you can see in the photo of the wolf (my property on both sides of that road). I chose the name Red Riding Hood because I believe you should always keep your sense of humor. I do NOT want this animal shot on sight simply because it is a wolf and I HATE all wolves or anything like that. I am an animal lover, have animals and have a family. I happen to own an agressive guard dog. With that goes the responsibility of making sure no one is ever hurt by her. I lost her once and within 5 minutes was on the phone to the City and the Sheriff’s dept to let them know. You have to treat ANY animal that has the “Potential of being dangerous” like a loaded gun. You wouldn’t leave it on a play ground, so why would I want a wolf wandering around that I have no way to predict how it will react to any situation. I would prefer they catch it although I do not believe they have any buisness having these animals, I do not want to see it shot but make no mistake if it comes into my yard and threatens my family in any way, it will be shot. My family comes frist above all else.
I do think they should leagally hunt wolves. People are against it but look at the coyote, it is open season on them all the time and people kill them for sport and yet they are so over populated they turn up in cities and everywhere. I will put my trust in the Fish and Game that they will manage the wolf hunts. They are after all the agency that has brought them back from almost extinction, why would they allow them to all be virtually be slaughtered again. Idaho has a lot of game and is managed well in my opinion, however I do NOT want to see wolves become as rampant as the coyote.
nidahogirl on September 16 at 11:53 a.m.
Blonde, I was not referring to ANYONE as stupid, just the general situation. But I feel you have (as it is hard to decifer text sometimes) per your last post, and it is not very amicable.
These incidents of attacks were reported to F & G, they are aware.
And you stated that the only person you would know of that would use RRH is the person in Tensed, so that does basically accuse that person of being the one you mentioned.
In reference to the flyers, advertizing it as a LOST DOG that LOOKS like a wolf is misleading and a lie. It was not the right thing to do, and anyone would think that this ‘lost dog’ is nice and approachable. I understand they are doing what they can to catch this wolf before someone shoots it, but lieing about it is NOT the way to go. Please explain to me if you think lieing is ok or not?
CaptainSakonna on September 16 at 12:44 p.m.
You can’t compare a tame wolf to an aggressive guard dog. Pet wolves are generally too shy to make good guard dogs! Captive wolves are not more aggressive or vicious than other dog breeds; in reality, their heightened survival instincts sometimes make them timid around strangers. As far as I’m concerned, this wolf basically is a lost dog for all practical purposes. It has no history of aggression, and in all probability, it is entirely “nice and approachable.” If I saw it, I would watch its body language, and if I saw no threatening signs, I would try to get a leash or something on it and take it home.
“I will put my trust in the Fish and Game that they will manage the wolf hunts. They are after all the agency that has brought them back from almost extinction, why would they allow them to all be virtually be slaughtered again.”
They only brought wolves back from extinction because the feds forced them to. Now that they have more freedom to “manage” wolves, they are prepared to undo as much of that work as they can get away with. As for coyotes, hunt them and they just reproduce like gangbusters to make up for it. Their reproductive rate goes up when the population is stressed. That’s true of wolves as well, but I don’t think their reproductive capacity is as high … and that might well be the only reason coyotes weren’t exterminated right along with the wolves. Sometimes I wonder if coyote hunters aren’t a bit like people trying to put out a grease fire with water. They throw water on the fire, the fire just spreads as the water moves the grease around, and instead of trying something different, they yell “Bring more water!” At any rate, wolves are an apex predator, whereas coyotes are a mesopredator … you can’t necessarily draw comparisons between them. In fact, because wolves have a regulatory effect on coyotes (not just by killing them, but by pushing them to the borders of wolf territories), it is possible that the “rampant” coyote population is due to a lack of wolves.
marinescoutsniper on September 16 at 12:53 p.m.
Here is the thing….This is an emotional thing for anyone who loves an animal and knows if they tell the truth their animal will be hunted and killed. They made a choice to tell fish and game he had died in hopes of saving his life. I don’t believe that this wolf is a danger to humans any more than any stray dog. danger to chicken coupes yeah im sure… but so are dogs. I have had the pleasure of visiting wolf people and I can tell you they love these animals and would not attempt to intentionally cause harm to the community they love. They lied yes, but they did it to try to save their wolf. If this wolf was vicious and they feared it would hurt people then im confident they would have reported it. Fish and game lies to us all the time. if your dog ran away who you loved with all your heart, and you knew that you should report it but you know they will look for it to kill it, what would you do? you would lie in hopes of buying more time for the animal you love. Wolf people have been in that community for 20 + years and have never had an escaped wolf. they pay taxes and contribute to their community. these people are not criminals. no matter what your outlook on this situation some part of you has to understand wanting to protect your animal.
Run wolf run ^~>
WolfGirl221 on September 16 at 12:53 p.m.
Wolf People is a humane place for wolves. They are not kept in small cages and are kept in one of the most realistic wolf habitats in the state. They are not a zoo. They are a non profit organization to help educate stupid humans about wolves. Yes lying about the wolf being dead was a bad idea. Yet, some people in situations of fear do unwise things. They should not be shut down as this is their first and only offense. The owner feeds these wolves from her own pocket and from donations. And cares for each individually and knows each one by name and loves every one like a child in her heart. Do you know how many more dangerous animals have escaped into suburb areas that have actually killed people aka tigers…bears MONKEYS!? This wolf is just trying to find his way home after his mate died of old age. This wolf has caused no harm to anyone! It was one mistake on the owners part after being open for 20 years. ONE mistake in 20 years.
WolfGirl221 on September 16 at 12:55 p.m.
Oh and marinescoutsniper :D <3 ^~> <3
BlondeSquawker on September 16 at 12:55 p.m.
Captain, I noticed after the wolves were back in Yellowstone Park for a couple years the coyote population plummeted. The park used to be full of coyotes…not so much now. It seems more natural to have wolves in areas like that. They have also subsequently helped the grizzly population in Yellowstone/Grand Teton grow larger which I think is awesome!
RedRidingHood on September 16 at 1:00 p.m.
To give some background as to how this “fear” started, at least for me, The wolf people originally stated this wolf had died of kidney failure in June. So if you go and look at their memorials on their web page it states that a large white male “Casper” died in June of kidney failure. The time and description fit. (With the exception of the year, it said 2010 but I was told it had said 2011) So after reading the article where they stated that he greated everyone with a growl and would not even allow the hanlders in to feed him, my first thought was, “OMG this animal is out and running around loose”. Did not matter to me if he was a wolf, a Doberman, or cocker spanial, They hid facts and lied and left those of us who were aware he was out to simply guess and speculate on what he was capable of. Turns out it is not the same wolf. (Or so they say) If so they could have saved all this by simply being honest and owning up to their mistake. In reality, no one will probably shoot this wolf, if he is in fact an older wolf with kidney he most likely will die a slow miserable death in the woods somewhere alone. Instead of everyone arguing and fighting with each other on who hates wolves and who doesn’t and who wants to shoot the big bad wolf and how wants to take him home for a family pet, lets get our priorities straight and start demanding the Wolf People are held accountable and this does not happen again to an innocent annimal.
BlondeSquawker on September 16 at 1:05 p.m.
Wolf Haven in Tenino, Washington is also a very cool place to visit. I love the “Howl-ins” at night.
I’m sure nidahogirl has never told a lie her entire life, especially not to save something she loves dearly. Lying (proper spelling) is needed sometimes. Just because it’s on God’s do-not-do list doesn’t mean you’re going to hell for it. Heck, ask Jerry Falwell, Jim Baker.
marinescoutsniper on September 16 at 1:09 p.m.
I promise you that Casper is dead…I was there when it happened and yes he was anti human and would not allow anyone near him. The wolf in question here I have petted and been licked in the face by multiple times…..I could totally understand the fear if you thought it was casper….
WolfGirl221 on September 16 at 1:12 p.m.
Casper is not the wolf that escaped. Get your facts right before you point fingers. Wolf People are accountable. Wolves are not pets and Wolf People never claimed this. Also Casper acted this way because he was protective of his home. You obviously are too. You wouldn’t want someone going into your house and disrespecting you would you? Some wolves are less inclined to be as territorial…especially non alpha wolves. Casper was one of the alpha wolves at wolf people.
WolfGirl221 on September 16 at 1:13 p.m.
Awooo ^~>
WolfGirl221 on September 16 at 4:58 p.m.
BST I find all your information to be 100% not true. How long did you work at WP? You obviously do not have any kind of degree in biology if you honestly believe that no “wolf biologist” calls wolf cubs “cubs” then you are sadly mistaken. Even though WP is not “supported” by Defenders of Wildlife, Nancy along with all wolf people staff are apart of NIWA who works with the Defenders of Wildlife to defend the wolf. All your information about WP is not true so please introduce yourself BST for I know of no one who has worked at Wolf People who has had a degree in biology. If you feel so strongly about this BST stop hiding behind your keyboard and tell us who you are.
marinescoutsniper on September 16 at 5:13 p.m.
Hey Scott how ya doing……stop telling stories that You know are not true….
idahoboy07 on September 16 at 5:38 p.m.
I grew up an avid supporter of the Canadian grey wolf introduction into Idaho. When I was 18 I visited the elk refuge in Jackson WY. I saw where many elk calves wandered over a small hill. There were dozens of elk carcasses. All wolf kills in the same spot. Barely touched. Killed for fun. The wolves got fresh meat every day and left the rest to rot. It didn’t match what I had learned by watching the nature channel. At that point I abandoned what I saw about wolves on the TV. Since then I have come across several wolf kills. Some the wolves hadn’t visited for several days. None were finished. Nothing but pure disgusting waste. What you see on TV about wolves is a few selected shots of good wolf behavior. They never show the waste. Luckily I’m an avid outdoorsman and have the opportunity to study wildlife behavior with my own eyes and am studying to be a wildlife biologist with the Idaho Fish and Game.
Snobr9 on September 16 at 9:37 p.m.
@BST… you are obviously a disgruntled employee, predictably taking this opportunity to spread lies and cast doubt over a facility you were fired from for not following the rules, and i know exactly who you are. Nancy Taylor puts the welfare of her wolves above all else. Those animals are well cared for and LOVED by all who work with them! Wolf People’s wolves are living their lives as AMBASSADORS for the wild wolves. Every single day of the year people are touched by meeting those wolves and become inspired to help the wolves in the wild. I am an employee and i see it all the time. I don’t know how many times i have heard people say that their visit to WP was the best day of their life! Check out our fb page to hear their stories. Wolf People brings in tourists from, not only all over the country, but from all over the WORLD. We see many people each year who tell us they planned their vacations around visiting WP. Wolf People has brought two different Australian film crews to N. Idaho as well as National Geographic, just in the last year. Probably more that i don’t remember. What have YOU done for N. Idaho’s economy???
xxriidaxx on September 17 at 2:43 a.m.
Hi! First of all, I have volunteered at Wolf People for quite some time, and I know for a fact that all of our wolves are very happy, well taken care of, and loved. If you’ve visited the store or gone on one of the tours, you know this is true ;) Nancy Taylor loves all her wolves and has devoted her entire life to them. Talk with her for 5 minutes and you can see just how kind and generous a person she is, not the liar and unfit business owner people are saying she is. She would never intentionally decieve the public, except when her wolf’s life may be in jeopardy. But anyone would lie to keep a loved one safe. The wolf in question may or may not be Cryco; a 14 year old Arctic wolf with kidney disease who loves people. (Not Casper, another Arctic who died in June of 2010.) Now, he is certainly not the vicious, livestock-eating wolf that some people are making him out to be. Matter of fact, he is nearing the end of his life and this may just be one last adventure for him before he passes. Wolves are incredibly intelligent animals, and I do believe he knows it’s his time. So the way people are reacting the way they are is ridiculous, unjustified, and a great disrespect to this gorgeous animal.
As for why Wolf People said he was dead and not missing? Just look at how Fish and Game reacted when they DID find out! By immediately putting up signs saying “shoot to kill” and the like. Now if a dear pet went missing, and you knew people would try to kill it if they knew, would YOU advertise it? The anti-wolfers are looking at this as just one more thing to use to demonize Wolf People and all the wolves in Idaho. But this isn’t all the wolves, it’s one. And if this is our Cryco, he is NOT a danger to anyone, and I sincerely hope he either makes it home or finds safety elsewhere in the wild :)
BST on September 18 at 11:49 a.m.
I also have never questioned Nancy Taylors’ love of her animals. She is certainly quite committed to them. My comments were only on what I observed while working there. I stand by them. Your personal attacks on me were quite sad, yet very telling of the mentality of the individuals associated with WP. There were many things I enjoyed while working there. But the drama between Nancy Taylor , Mike Marzio and others were childish and had no place at an “educational facility”.
BST on September 22 at 7:40 p.m.
Wow, The Spokesman Review has decided to censure my comments which stated the facts. Not surprising……Your newspaper might in the future, conduct a little research before doing so……
Snobr9 on September 24 at 10:11 p.m.
That Wolf People has many, many supporters from across the country and if fact, from around the world, speaks for itself.
Enough said.
RedCedar on September 27 at 5:26 p.m.
@Cheis77: “I prey that this wolf…”
You pray. The wolf preys.