A wolf sanctuary in Larimer County still hopes to expand despite having its plans turned down by the county planning commission this week.
“We are blessed with great supporters, and I think eventually our mission will be redeemed,” said Frank Wendland, co-founder of WOLF – Wolves Offered Life and Friendship.
The organization’s sanctuary, in rugged Rist Canyon, currently houses 30 wolves and wolf hybrids abandoned by their previous owners. WOLF wanted to add 30 more wolves over six years and increase the area where the wolves roam from 5 to 30 acres.
But neighbors said the sanctuary – which rests on 182 acres owned by the Wendlands – doesn’t fit in with the rest of the mountain community.
Those who spoke Wednesday night said the sanctuary generates too much traffic on the narrow dirt road leading to its entrance. They also complained about the howling of the wolves and said the animals would be dangerous if they escaped.
“The commissioners really couldn’t come up with any positive finding for the expansion given the testimony of the neighbors,” said county planner Rob Helmick.
Bob Gann, chief of the Rist Canyon Volunteer Fire Department, also told the planning commission that any expansion would be vulnerable to a wildfire.
The rough terrain and heavy foliage around the sanctuary also would put firefighters at risk should a major fire ignite in the area, he said.
The sanctuary will once again argue its case before the county commissioners in November.
