The Wolf Sanctuary of Pennsylvania
comprises 22 acres of Pennsylvania wilderness, close to Amish
Country. Within the woods of the sanctuary live the last of the
wolves that remain in the state of Pennsylvania. For a modest price,
visitors can arrange for a tour of the wolf sanctuary. In this way,
visitors can both see and learn about wolves, and support their
continued existence in Pennsylvania.
The Wolf Sanctuary began more than 20
years ago, when members of the Darlington family started to use their
property to shelter homeless wolves. Many of the wolves had been
pets, taken away from their owners by the state because the owners
weren't licensed or qualified to keep the animals. Other wolves had
been pets and were abandoned by the owners. Because many of the
wolves at the sanctuary no longer naturally avoid humans, they might
not be able to survive in an unprotected environment--they might
wander onto human property and get killed.
At the Wolf Sanctuary, however, the
live the same way as wolves in the wild would, roaming around the
wilderness, forming packs, and choosing their mating partners. The
Wolf Sanctuary, staffed entirely by volunteers, does, however,
provide food to the wolves, as well as medical attention when the
wolves need it. Four different breeds of wolf currently live on the
grounds of the sanctuary, including the almost-extinct Buffalo Wolf.
The ideal time for visitors to see
wolves at the sanctuary is in the winter. The wolves' thick coats are
made to protect them in the snow, in which they do most of their
hunting. The sight of a majestic wolf with white fur, loping along in
front of a snowdrift, isn't something most visitors soon forget.
