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"Grandma, what big teeth you have." For centuries, what people have understood about wolves was based largely on misinformation and fables. These tales helped inspire fear of the animal and their indiscriminate slaughter. Wolf populations also suffered from the loss of habitat due to land clearing, logging, mining and road development. Today, wolves are making a comeback in the United States, thanks in part to successful reintroduction programs. In 2000, Busch Gardens Williamsburg introduced guests to the plight of this often-feared species at Jack Hanna's Wild Reserve. Hope Durley and Carrie Bridgman, animal trainers at Busch Gardens, have been working with the wolves since the attraction was unveiled. The park's wolf presentations at Greystone Tower offer daily demonstrations of wolf behavior such as muzzle greeting and foraging. Durley and Bridgman help guests understand these fascinating animals. Visitors experience the wolf's power and intelligence and witness the legendary bonds between pack members. "Educating guests on wolf behaviors dispels the myths surrounding these animals while explaining the need to protect them," said Durley. Guests are able to see how wolf family members play, hunt, howl and survive in the wild. Durley and Bridgman say they are honored to have the opportunity to work with this remarkable species. "The gray wolf is such an important component of the eco-system," said Bridgman. "Hope and I love interacting with guests and expanding their knowledge of wolves." In addition, the Anheuser-Busch Adventure Parks have helped contribute to the conservation of wolves through National Wildlife Federation's "Keep the Wild Alive," a campaign to heighten awareness of endangered species and recognize groups and individuals working to protect wildlife and the environment, Sea World, Busch Gardens and Discovery Cove are well-suited to bring these wildlife success stories to the public. Through conservation, public understanding and educational programs, similar to Busch Gardens Williamsburg's presentation, the gray wolf can continue its recovery in North America. |
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