Sanctuary closed after wolves escape
Associated Press
DILLSBORO, Ind. — A southeastern Indiana wildlife
sanctuary where 10 wolves recently escaped has closed indefinitely
after the state ordered more than $100,000 in improvements.
Until the Red Wolf Sanctuary and Raptor
Rehabilitation Center meets state and federal standards, visitors
cannot tour the sanctuary, owner Paul Strasser said
Strasser said it’s the first time in the nonprofit
sanctuary’s 25-year history that it has had to close. The sanctuary
covers more than 20 acres about 25 miles northeast of Madison.
Conservation officers investigated the sanctuary
after 10 wolves broke free from a 3-acre pen. Most were rounded up,
but two died.
“Any time a wild animal escapes, especially when
it’s a class of wild animal that poses a threat to the public,
whether or not we’re directly involved in the permitting process,
we’re still going to go and check it out,” Capt. Terry Hyndman
said.
Strasser can keep his wolves, bears, coyotes and
other animals, but must upgrade fencing and make other improvements
before he can acquire permits and tours can resume.
Strasser said he was unsure where he would get the
money and staff to make the improvements. The center relies on
donations.
“We’ll open as soon as we can comply with the
regulations,” he said. “In a perfect world, given what we have to
do, we’d be open by the end of the summer. In the reality, I have
no idea.”