Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary: How Two Crises Converged to Forge a Path to the Future
Surviving local politics and overcoming international red tape marks the beginning of a bright journey into the future for two rescued wolf siblings and a city dump turned world-class sanctuary
By Denise Rivette
At about the time two sibling wolf pups were first exploring the rundown eastern Canadian menagerie where they were born, two older wolf hybrids (also siblings) in another country and a world away were going for a last grand adventure that would predicate habitat changes at their home in the well-run Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary that would make possible the eventual rescue of those Canadian pups. In turn, those pups would help fill the void that would soon be left by the deaths of the older wolves, Ginny and Dakota. But not before Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary faced an existential crisis of its own.
On Valentine’s Day 2020, snow and wind combined efforts to form a snowdrift on a fence providing an easy exit from the wolf enclosure at Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary (YWS). Ginny and Dakota took advantage of the provided escape route and went on a walkabout that was soon discovered and quickly ended with the adventuring wolves safely returned to the Sanctuary. Plans began then and there to make the immediate modifications necessary to make the habitat secure from future weather events. In addition, YWS began working on long range plans to create a habitat not only more secure but also providing a more enriching experience for the animals while adding more educational opportunities for the public. Sadly, Ginny and Dakota died in 2022 before the new habitat they inspired was built.
Also in 2022, Kristen Cogswell was inaugurated as mayor of the City of Red Lodge. With her administration came a new approach to YWS (built on land that was formerly the City dump) that changed what had previously been a fairly easygoing and cooperative relationship between the entities into a struggle over property rights that threatened the very existence of the Sanctuary.
In the midst of the struggle with Cogswell’s administration, the two sibling wolves were rescued along with many other wolves from their dire circumstances at the Canadian roadside menagerie and taken to an actual sanctuary. The sanctuary did what they could to provide for all the rescued wolves, but there were too many and it was stressing the pack. Careful consideration was put into how to best manage the pack’s stress. In the end, it was decided that the sibling pair would have to go. People associated with the rescue started looking for other sanctuaries that could provide a permanent home for them. These two young wolves, now four years old, were a great fit for the YWS program as they are part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and are unable to be released to the wild. In addition, not only are they siblings as the previous residents had been, but unlike Ginny and Dakota, the Canadian siblings are 100% gray wolf. The team at YWS was sure this was an opportunity meant for them, but many obstacles remained.
Could the wolf habitat be built in time? Could funding be found to pay for the all the expenses associated with the importation and transportation of two wolves? What would it take to transport two wolves across state and international borders? Could they do all this while complying with the Canadian rescuers insistence on total secrecy? Even if all those hurdles could be overcome, if the City insisted that the facility fencing be reconfigured in a manner that eliminated the bison habitat, how long could YWS continue to exist without Yellowstone’s iconic bison?
The YWS team decided they would rise to the occasion and do their best to beat the odds. First they secured a grant and got to work building the wolf habitat with a focus on making it look like the regular course of events and not like they were racing against the clock toward an imminent and most exciting event. As YWS was negotiating for its life with the City of Red Lodge, it was also navigating a pathway for the survival of the two wolves who would come to be known as Index and Pilot.
As time was running out, a new mayor took the helm at Red Lodge City Hall and brought with him a new attitude. Mayor Dave Westwood and the newest member of the City team, Public Works Director Mike Maples, joined BR Walker (YWS Executive Director) and other YWS team members for a walk around the Sanctuary and they quickly came up with a land swap proposal that provides a permanent solution satisfying the City’s and YWS’ needs now and for the foreseeable future.
Could YWS actually beat the odds on both fronts? They could and did! On the same day that Index and Pilot crossed from Canada into the United States, YWS received word that the Red Lodge City Council had passed the draft resolution to approve the land swap. Full passage would provide the stability needed for YWS to begin planning for the next 50 years.
Days later Index and Pilot were exploring their new home in Red Lodge. As they relaxed in their new environment, their former packmates were also less stressed and settling down. Seeing that their efforts resulted in a positive outlook for all the animals, everyone involved in the mission on both sides of the border could also finally breathe a sigh of relief.
YWS had one last obstacle to its survival that was overcome on March 26 when the Red Lodge City Council unanimously approved moving forward with the land swap. Details remain to be worked out, but both parties are planning decades ahead for a future that includes a stable home for YWS and the amazing animals of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem that call that sanctuary home and bring the “Wild of Wonder” into our lives.
UPDATE
Index, the female sibling, is shyer than her brother, Pilot. As such, Index, in the initial days has stayed in and close to their newly dug den as Pilot ventures out to explore and bring food back to his sister. Everyone is waiting for their first howl. That will be the signal that they consider their new habitat home.
Index and Pilot are currently in quarantine but will be making their public debut during the members only events next weekend, April 5, 6 and 7. Memberships are available to purchase at the Sanctuary at the time of events or can be purchased online HERE. Information on upcoming events can be found HERE.
Getting a first peek at Index and Pilot is one of the many advantages of becoming a member of Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary. Memberships start at $45 and include half price entrance to Billings’ ZooMontana, access to members only events, 10% discount on camps and workshops, 10% Gift Shop discounts and the knowledge you are helping to provide understanding and an appropriate home for animals native to our ecosystem that are unable to live freely in that environment, often because of human actions.
About the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary
The Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with the mission of providing lifelong sanctuary to non-releasable greater Yellowstone ecosystem wildlife while sharing a message of conservation and education. The Sanctuary has been providing safe, comfortable homes and long, fulfilling lives to animals whose only other option was euthanasia. Find out more at www.YellowstoneWildlifeSanctuary.org and schedule a tour.