Over the last few days, the staff and Board of the Wolf Education & Research Center have moved decisively to save five young wolves from certain death. In early April, our Winchester, Idaho facility was contacted by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) about a private facility in Southern Idaho. Owyhee County Sheriff's office and the USDA closed a facility where 17 wolves were living in substandard conditions, which contributed to one of the wolves' escape and death by shooting. An ensuing investigation resulted in identifying the facility and the subsequent shut down upon discovery of the conditions.

Following the closure of the operation, the USDA approached the Wolf Education & Research Center and asked the Wolf Center to use our resources to rescue the wolves, provide them a safe environment, and restore their health. WERC's staff biologist, Jeremy Heft, inspected the animals on April 18. The conditions he found were atrocious. Entire packs crammed into 100 by 300 feet chain-link enclosures in the harsh, dry elements of Idaho's southeastern desert. The wolves show evidence of severe malnutrition, fighting and neglect. WERC Board of Directors moved decisively, agreeing unanimously that saving these wolves is critical. As the region faces one of the worst periods in political history regarding animal protections, WERC can extend the opportunity of a safe haven to the species. As sport hunters lobby for the license and permission to shoot wolves on site, WERC remains protected within the remote border of the Nez Perce nation, far from the barrel of a rifle, the steel of a trap, or the suffering of ingested poison. Arrangements were made to recover five of these wolves and begin to restore their grandeur by careful and expeditious treatment.

On April 23, the wolves were moved to our two-acre enclosure in Winchester, Idaho. It's often said that the Sawtooth Pack: Wolves of the Nez Perce are ambassadors to the future, representing the need for public education, awareness, and resolve to preserve the species. This couldn't be more relevant than today as their legacy serves wolves in peril in our own backyard. Your support is critical. The Wolf Education & Research Center is asking that you carefully consider what will be a six to ten year journey as we take possession of and restore this pack to health, while continuing the public education and outreach that will secure a safe wilderness in their wild cousin's future. It is vital to know what role you can play in saving wolves.

Will you demonstrate your support by helping WERC financially? Will you introduce others to our programs and efforts? You'll enjoy the tax benefit, but more importantly, you'll have stepped into the wild to protect this important member of the wilderness' delicate balance. Mark your check "Sawtooth Legacy Pack" to indicate your support. Then check your calendar to see when you can travel to Winchester to meet the result of your generous support.