Chronicle photographer Ridley Hudson stopped by Wolf Haven International in Tenino on Friday to photograph some of the sanctuary's newest residents.
Last week, Wolf Haven International announced the recent arrival of its newest residents. The sanctuary is now home to one new Mexican wolf named Sirius and two new wolfdogs, Ellie and Penn.
Sirius was born in the wild in 2017 as part of a pack in New Mexico. A Mexican wolf recovery team captured and collared him as a pup with plans to monitor his movements. Less than two years later, Sirius sustained a severe injury to his front right leg that required amputation. After surgery, Sirius was transferred to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge where they realized he needed a place where he could live long-term away from human activity.
Later the same week, Wolf Haven rescued the two wolf-dog hybrids, Ellie and Penn. It was the sanctuary’s first double rescue of wolfdogs.
Five-year-old Ellie was purchased as a pup by a backyard breeder despite the fact that her genetic tests show she is 90% wolf and just 10% domestic dog, according to Wolf Haven. As she matured, her behavior became unmanageable for her family, which surrendered her, the release stated. Ellie was going to a shelter where she could have been euthanized before a private animal rescue program stepped in and facilitated her transfer to Wolf Haven.
Ellie’s new companion wolfdog, Penn, 10 years old, was also purchased as a pet and then rescued after his previous owner died. Wolf Haven stated that Penn was kept chained inside at all times. The Endless Pawsibilities organization helped facilitate Penn’s transfer to Wolf Haven. After a period of acclimation, the two wolves met and are now inseparable, according to the team at Wolf Haven.
Nonprofit Wolf Haven’s mission has been “to conserve and protect wolves and their habitat” since its founding in 1982. It is the only wolf sanctuary in the world to be accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries. In 2024, the organization was also selected from over 200 GFAS-certified sanctuaries worldwide to receive the esteemed GFAS Outstanding Wildlife Sanctuary Award. The sanctuary is located at 3111 Offut Lake Road, Tenino. Learn more at https://wolfhaven.org/sanctuary/visit.
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