From: v094lrtr@ubvmsd.cc.buffalo.edu (MENION LEAH)
Newsgroups: alt.wolves
Subject: Re: Wolf preservation in NE mass.
Date: 28 Sep 92 17:37:00 GMT
Organization: University at Buffalo
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41

In article <1992Sep27.233648.24282@news.iastate.edu>, griffon@iastate.edu (Tamber Kelsain) writes...
>In article <Bv99FC.5Ko@acsu.buffalo.edu> v094lrtr@ubvmsd.cc.buffalo.edu (MENION LEAH) writes:
>>I was wondering if anyone has been to the wolf preservation in ne mass.
>>i cant remember the town its in, but i did read an article on it. the
>>owner of the land breeds a pure line of wolves, and keeps them in a
>>large (like 100 acres) fenced in plot of land. people can go see the
> 
>I really don't think 100 acres is all that large for a pack of wolves...
>how many wolves are in this enclosed area? Do they get fed directly by the
>owner or are they expected to find food of their own? Or in combination,
>does the owner provide live game for them?

in general, they are fed by the owner. but i am sure that some rabbits and
th like have unluckily found their way to this preservation. i too do not
find 100 acres of land to be enough for a large pack of wolves. that is
one of the problems i have with this preservation.
> 
>I do think it is a good thing that people do get to see the wolves...
>it helps to lessen the natural fear many people have of these wild animals.

i kind of agree here, but fear of wild animals is healthy if it makes us
leave them alone. you should fear wild wolves, for if you corner one, i am
sure that it would mess you up quite nicely. but this is an ignorant view
also, because i do realize that wolves in captivity are quite tame, while
in nature, they can be quite fierce.
> 
>>wolves for free. the article stated that the wolves seemed to be in
>>excellent condition, and the best time to see them is feeding time.
>>
>>Now to my point...
>>I appreciate what this man is doing to perpetuate and preserve a pure
>>species of wolves. but, how happy can these wolves be? they are tame
> 
>I'm curious.. what's the average territorial size for a wolf? ( I may love 'em 
>to death, but I'll never claim to know a whole lot about them )
> 
>>to the owner of the land and his family, so isnt he just creating a
>>group of domestic pets? i for one do not like zoos, and believe that
>>no animal that is supposedly wild should be kept in cages for the
>>enjoyment of humans. bringing our children to such a place just starts
> 
>What is this guy's goal in keeping these wolves? Is it for his personal
>enjoyment? or is it to help keep a pure population alive? or is it for some
>other reason?

i believe his goal is preservation and education. but there has to be some
personal enjoyment mixed in.

>I would like some more information on this, if you could find out more.
>I know nothing of it, and until I do, I don't know what to think about
>this caged protection.

i will be getting more info quite soon. i also plan on visiting the place
first hand over thanksgiving break. i will give a complete review than.
> 
>>them off seeing that humans in general treat animals as an inferior
> 
>This is an interesting point. I would wonder if maybe the children would see
>that we are doing a kind thing and trying to protect these creatures from 
>hostile environments. *shrug*
> 
this hostile environment, barring human pouching, is their natural environment
though. i belive thats where they belong.

>>species. i do realize that some zoos deal with sick and injured
>>animals, but they are a huge minority.
> 
>I think one good thing that zoos provide is education. Zoos have lessened many
>of the misconceptions uninformed people have about the wild creatures they 
>don't normally get to see or be close to. A school can't even start to get
>close to the quality of animal education that some zoos can provide.

i agree with you here, but is it a necessary evil?
> 
> 
>Sorry about all the questions, I am very interested in knowing more about this
>place.  Thank you in advance.
>
no prob will, you'll have more info soon.

-brent

>			Will Stoltenberg
>				email to wolves@iastate.edu
>-- 
>     Will Stoltenberg	  |"The Bible is not my book and Christianity is not my
> Ames, Iowa (515) 294-1701| religion. I could never give assent to the long 
>    "Tamber Kelsain"	  | complicated statements of Christian dogma."
>   griffon@iastate.edu	  |			- Abraham Lincoln