Sanctuary For Everyone
- Emily Evans
- Dec 1, 2025
- 4 min read
By Irina Osechinskaya, Administrative Assistant
Published in Wolf Tracks vol. 42, no. III
When you first arrive at Wolf Haven International, you can often feel as though you have stepped into a different world. The vastness of the surrounding prairie, the gentle breeze filled with the sounds of songbirds, the talk of the resident ravens, the eerie sounds of a sanctuary howl – everything a stark yet peaceful contrast to the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
If you have the chance, you walk the trail to the Grandfather Tree, which begins in the wolf cemetery. At first, all you see is a large tree in the distance with a bald top. But as you get nearer, you start to realize just how big this tree is! At over 300 years old, the massive Douglas fir creates a canopy you can walk under to discover a complex system of interconnected branches – some horizontal and wide, some even going down to the ground and then up again. These are called epicormic branches, which a tree can sprout when in stress, either from natural or human causes.
The Grandfather Tree provides a resting space and refuge for many critters, including a pair of bald eagles who can sometimes be spotted surveilling from the top of the tree. Their perch is competitive and is also used by hawks and ravens. In fact, the prairie and the surrounding woodlands and wetlands at Wolf Haven provide a home and sanctuary for a wide range of animals – including over 60 bird species, two types of bats (little brown and Yuma), and a variety of insects and butterflies.
Some of the species less common to the area are elk, porcupine, cougar, bobcat, and black bear – all of which have been observed on Wolf Haven's prairie via trail camera. In addition to these rare visitors live wild non-resident coyotes, endangered Mazama pocket gophers, garter and rubber boa snakes, western bluebirds, and white-tailed deer.
Inside the sanctuary, of course, are wolves, wolfdogs, and coyotes as well as ravens, hawks, blue jays, scrub jays, spotted towhees, chickadees, and northern flickers. There are squirrels, chipmunks, cottontail rabbits, and opossums in the sanctuary sometimes too, although they aren’t seen as frequently by Wolf Haven’s staff and volunteers.
Now, this long list of species who find sanctuary at Wolf Haven would not be complete without mentioning Pacific tree frogs. While usually found outside our office buildings, there is one very special pair of frogs who actually live inside the animal care office! Aptly named Clem and Tin, they are known by their portmanteau, Clem’n’tine. The pair started their tenancy by occupying an old printer in the office one day, and over time, their living space has expanded to the surrounding walls – complete with plants on the shelves and even a “sauna” made from a jar filled with moss.
The ravens on the property also get a little extra attention simply by being the most prominent residents after wolves. There is even a joke amongst staff that maybe we should be renamed “Raven Haven.” Famous for their range of vocalizations, ravens are known to make up to 30 different sounds and have a complex communication system. Our animal care staff have noticed that the ravens also seem to know which wolves are more agile, so they avoid those enclosures and choose instead to feast in the enclosures with wolves and wolfdogs who are less of a threat.
One time in particular, we were feeding out a deer carcass to our family group of seven Mexican wolf brothers. We decided to put the deer on their multilevel platform to add an enrichment experience to their meal, as their food is usually just left on the ground. We then watched the wolves’ behavior via trail camera. Because the food was placed in an unusual location, the brothers were shy and didn’t approach the carcass... but the ravens, being omnivores and opportunistic feeders, were soon feasting on the carcass in large numbers! They didn’t seem to be shy at all and easily took advantage of the wary wolves’ behavior. What a life they enjoy at Wolf Haven with a variety of delicious gourmet meals intended for wolves!
On a different occasion, I was working inside the Visitor Center when suddenly, a full salmon fillet fell out of the sky and landed just in front of the building entrance. I rushed out to see how this could have happened, only to realize a raven had accidentally dropped their heavy catch. I checked in with the animal care team and they confirmed they had just fed out salmon to the wolves. Obviously, one of the wolves was out of luck, and the raven thief was too. What happened next? I went back inside to wait and observe. I was expecting the raven to return. However, the baton (or rather the fillet) was passed to the next player: a scrub jay who hopped out from a nearby bush, approached the salmon, and started pecking on it. I learned that day that jays are omnivores too. The fish was gone by morning, and it’s likely more animal species shared in this feast too!
In the wild, wolves and ravens often create a mutually beneficial relationship, where the ravens guide the wolves to a carcass or prey and later feed on the leftovers from the wolves’ successful hunt. At Wolf Haven, we witness every day how everything in nature is interconnected like this, and every animal, insect, or plant – especially if they are native to the area – has an important role in the ecosystem. All creatures here are respected for who and what they are. Wolf Haven’s role is simply to provide sanctuary. A sanctuary for everyone.
