outstanding shot!


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M A G I P I C S

Thanks. Pinefire makes it easy. The only way this shot could have been better for me were if she was in her winter coat.

They do look great in their full coat! my missus was kind enough to get another photography day with her wolves (I say 'her' wolves, she is a volunteer at the UK Wolf trust near where we live) and thats going to be in October, so they should have lovely coats by then.

Awesome shot you have there!

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M A G I P I C S

heh, the time we get the most questions about background is always during the summer. People don't usually see wolves in thier summer coats in pictures. If you pay attention you'll see it in documentaries. Anyways, I love the full winter coat best obviously, but it's really funny to see how rambunctious and rediculous they are in thier slinky coats. All the digging and den preparations are in the summer coat (=

You mention the UK Wolf trust. Do you mean http://www.ukwolf.org/?
Or do you mean someplace more like here? This second place had some strange decision making recently that I'm aware of through a wolfdog group I belong to. Just curious. I've got some more inside information involving all of that.

Thanks for the comments (=

You mention the UK Wolf trust. Do you mean [link]
Yes, thats the place!

I had heard about the second Highland place that culled its wolves, and its something I totally disagree with I am afraid. I have heard that they culled them as they were acting too much like dogs, as opposed to Wolves. Very strange decision.

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M A G I P I C S

The "not displaying thier natural behavior" reference has since been attributed to all sorts of things from possible inbreeding to age to the loss of an alpha. Geeze, god forbid the animals become more domesticated or have confinement issues. I'd heard that the wolves they had were from a private collector who had not managed them well. The pack was supposedly very unstable and fighting due to the loss of possibly alpha and beta males. I'd be curious to know if this place truely looked into other placement opportunities or proper behavior managment techniques for the poor animals. I know nothing about these organizations firsthand. However, the reasoning I've seen in the papers online is abhorrent imho.

Dominic of the UKWCT said "I think another issues which is not widely shown is the fact that the wolves were cross breeds. They were not pure North American (NA) and they did not know how much of a cross any of the wolves had - the joy of
them coming from a private collection! It is possible that more efforts would have been made to try and do something had there been a purer blood line. I DO disagree with cross breeds as it is unnecessary and 'not right' in my opinion. It is certainly not something that would happen naturally now as the ice is melted!" So, since their background is questionable and wolfdogs are apparently worthless it makes it ok to destroy the animals if there's a problem. Whereas before it was ok to use them for profit, research and public education. When the going gets tough excuses get going.

I think the Anglian Wolf Society sums up all the issues nicely here: Anglicanwolf.com article

It seems to boil down to too much effort, too much political red tape to do the right thing, and too much potential for liability. It's downright shameful/sad. I'm sure this happens way more than anyone knows (here in america too), but it's still awful to hear about nonetheless. I'd be really curious to hear what all opinions you and your missus have regarding this since you're local. I'd also be curious about anything she may have heard from there at the UKWCT. What exactly is she allowed to do as a volunteer? I know many organizations are extremely restrictive due to liability. Sorry for the big reply/rant. Wolf or wolfdog welfare is a hotbutton issue for me.

No need to apologise, its great you are so passionate about it!

I think you are right about the article, although very sad to read.

I am so glad the UK Wolf Trust doesnt act like that, when Kenai had her accident, I could not believe the lengths they went through to make her comfortable, it really was touching how much care was given to her. So at least we can take comfort that good places that actually care about the animals, rather than cost still do exist!

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M A G I P I C S

I would love to come see the UKWCT some day. It looks and sounds like an amazing facility/organization. However, I have yet to travel to the UK. What exactly is the accident you were talking about with Kenai? I don't know that much about the UKWCT. I've just seen a lot of photos from Marty Sloan and heard his chatter about the critters there. Anywhere fighting to protect/display the wolf for what it really is gets positive points in my book.

LOL, that's so adorable!

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'Cheese; milks leap toward imortality.'