UK Wolf Conservation Trust

The UK Wolf Conservation Trust is a non-profit organisation based in Berkshire, England. Its aims are to dispel what they regard as myths and misconceptions surrounding wolves, and to support wolves living in the wild elsewhere in Europe. It is currently home to nine wolves: Nuka, Tala, Tundra, Mai, Motomoi, Torak, Massak, Pukak and Sikko.

UK Wolf Conservation Trust
FoundedMay 1995 (1995-May)
FounderRoger Palmer[1]
TypeNon-profit
FocusConservation
Location
Area served
Europe
MethodEducation, supporting conservation projects
Websiteukwct.org.uk

History

Businessman Roger Palmer visited Alaska in the 1970s where he encountered wolves for the first time. Upon his return to the UK he decided to acquire a wolf. Palmer kept wolves into the mid 1990s[2] and, encouraged by ethologist Erich Klinghammer, founded the UK Wolf Conservation Trust (UKWCT) in 1995.[3]

Activities

The UKWCT has 10 ambassador wolves, 9 of which are socialised wolves split into four packs.[4] The wolves are taken for walks most weekends in the open farmland around the Trust,[5] accompanied by members of the public and UKWCT. The idea is to allow people to see wolves in a different light to the experience seen at most zoos, which generally don't socialise their animals.

Education is a major part of the UKWCT's ethos and they hold regular seminars, with biologists and other speakers giving talks about wolves and current conservation work. The UKWCT's magazine,[6] WolfPrint, attracts contributions from those involved with wolf conservation and reports on current events in the wolf world.

Achievements

In 1998, the UKWCT imported three European wolves from eastern Europe and in 1999 they gave birth to six pups. This was reported to be the first birth of European wolves in the UK since they were driven to extinction in the 18th century.[7] After their relocation to Wildwood in Kent, the imported wolves had several further litters.

The UKWCT look after the UK's first Arctic wolves - Massak, Pukak and Sikko. They were imported from Quebec in Canada in March 2011 when a snowstorm destroyed their mother's den, causing her to reject the newborn cubs. The UKWCT were then invited to take these cubs back to the UK, where they have lived ever since.

Projects supported by the UKWCT include helping to buy livestock guardian dogs for Bulgarian shepherds, as well as supporting wolf research and education in the Tver region of Russia and also in Croatia. Support has also been provided for the Ethiopian wolf, for other European projects, and for the Red and Mexican wolves in the Americas. To date, the Trust has donated over £150,000 to wolf conservation projects worldwide.[8]

References
  1. "UKWCT website - about us section". Ukwct.org.uk. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  2. "Environment". Telegraph.co.uk. 30 March 2016. Archived from the original on 1 April 2016.
  3. "A Man and His Wolves | Houses for sale, properties for sale - Country Life". Archived from the original on 22 March 2012. Retrieved 15 May 2011.
  4. "Wolves - UK Wolf Conservation Trust". Ukwct.org.uk. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  5. "Hikers go for walk with wolves". News.bbc.co.uk. 12 January 2006. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  6. "Wolf Magazines and Newsletters". Searchingwolf.com. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  7. "BBC News - UK - Wolf cubs born in Britain". News.bbc.co.uk. 5 May 1999. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  8. "The UK Wolf Conservation Trust". Ukwct.org.uk. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
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