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When a 90 pound wolf places its paws on your shoulders, fixes you with intense golden eyes and
licks your lips with a tongue like a chamois leather, it is not asking to tango. Unease can set in.
Fresh linen may be required. Luckily, we had been warned beforehand that this was their form of
greeting, and also not to step backwards when it happened as this would be interpreted as a prey
response!
Getting up close and personal with a wolf was for many of us the high point of our visit to the
Anglian Wolf Society on 6th July where 17 ramblers were introduced to the wolves in small groups,
to prevent them thinking we were an invading pack, and then given a short informative talk by some
of the enthusiastic volunteer staff. They were keen to stress that although the wolves had been
socialised as cubs to avoid an understandable fear of people, they still retained full wolf
characteristics and were in no way domesticated.
It was obvious the wolves were keen to leave their compound and we started the walk when they were
ready, not vice versa. They set the agenda. Over the next hour and a half we accompanied them
along footpaths and over fields, sometimes within sight of livestock which demonstrated admirable
restraint on their part. The wolves showed a constant interest in the local wildlife: apparently
they have been known to catch and despatch rabbits in front of spectators. During the walk several
of us were greeted as described above; as staring at a wolf is seen by them as a challenge which
the handlers assured us we would not want or be able to meet, most of us kept our eyes shut and
trusted in a higher power. We were allowed to stroke them under supervision, their coats are
incredibly rough, rather like coconut matting. Occasionally an inquisitive tongue like a piece of
wet sandpaper would unexpectedly lick your hand.
After the walk we ate our lunch while watching the wolves retrieve theirs which had been hidden.
The sound of Cheza, the alpha male, crunching a rabbit skull will stay with me for sometime.
Everything was eaten; there is no waste in wolf world.
These beautiful, intelligent creatures have a natural affinity with humans and it is depressing
that they are still unnecessarily persecuted. Meeting them on their own terms is a fascinating
experience which everyone should try at least once. Some of us are keen to repeat the visit later
in the year when they will be in their magnificent winter coats.
The Anglian Wolf Society was formed in 1999 to help educate the general public and dispel some of
the myths and undeserved negative propaganda surrounding these animals. It also raises funding for
front line wolf conservation in the former eastern bloc. Further information and contact details
can be found on its website at
www.anqlianwolf.com.
Thanks to Mick Freeland for organising this unique visit.
Steve Sayers
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