Volunteer from Poland on first name basis with wolves
Jolanta ýJolaý Hernik of Poznan, Poland chose to volunteer at Mission:
Wolf, a sanctuary for captive wolves and wolf-dog crosses located in the
south east corner of Custer County, because she wanted to work with
people who are driven by their ideals, not money. Being close to nature
and working with animals were also part of her motivation to take on a
six-month internship at Mission: Wolf. She has found these things and
more. The 26 year old Hernik arrived at the remote 449 acre refuge on
Dec. 9 and already sheýs working hard feeding and caring for 41 wolves
along side Mission: Wolf Director Kent Weber and long-term residents
Kathy Bennett and Abby Nelson. It is arduous work. They manually haul
water and many pounds of meat up treacherous snow-covered paths; then
toss chunks of meat weighing as much as 40 pounds over the tall fences of
the wolf enclosures. Farmers who have a horse or cow that dies often
donate the meat for the wolves and roadkill deer can also be used. All
need to be picked up and transported to the facility, butchered and
carefully portioned out so each wolf receives the appropriate amount of
nutrition. Hernik has helped butcher a horse using an axe; something, she
says, a city girl like herself has never dealt with. She says it was hard
for her because she loves horses. Making a fire to stay warm, getting
used to living without running water and sharing her space with mice are
also new to her. Maintenance and upgrades at the solar and wind powered
facility require lots of labor, so repairing fences, helping with the
construction of a new kitchen and plenty of office work have been part of
Hernikýs experience as well. A tiny loft, just large enough to sleep in,
above the communal kitchen is her home for the next six months. She
enjoys the challenges and finds the different experiences interesting.
She says, ýIým happy to be living in a neighborhood of wild animals and
Iýve found the peace I was looking for. Every day I learn something new.ý
Hernik holds a college degree in tourism and hotel management as well as
a technical degree in computer science and plans to go on to obtain a
masters degree. Volunteerism and travel are in her blood though, and she
hopes to someday volunteer to work with a project in Asia. It took a year
and half working through Civil Service International and International
Volunteer Services for Hernik to complete the arrangements and begin her
internship. She used the time to practice her English and save money
while working as a barmaid in London, England. Weber says that Hernik was
indoctrinated quickly, ýa lot of work had built up and weýve asked a lot
of her.ý Mission: Wolfýs programs are designed to teach respect and
provide knowledge about wolves and to support, protect and enhance
wilderness and all wildlife. There are usually several full time
volunteers residing at Mission Wolf and Weber likes to have at least two
people on the land around the clock. Visitors can tour the facility and
hear stories of wolves born in captivity and not able to return to the
wild. Each wolf has its own personality and character traits. Some are
quite shy and even the staff rarely sees them. Others are friendly and
outgoing and serve as the ambassadors for Mission: Wolfýs educational
outreach program, which takes several wolves on tour across the U.S. and
allows thousands of people to meet a wolf face to face. Hernik has found
a personal connection with Skinny, one of the older, shyer wolves. ýThe
first time I saw him I thought he was cool. Heýs very old and not very
pretty but he looked at me in a way that touched me.ý Just a few short
weeks have been enough to imprint a love for the valley on Hernik, she
says, ýI know that when I have to return to the city I will miss this
place and Iýll dream of coming back here.ý