Wolf Haven

In the wake of the exotic animal trade, a sanctuary exists in Washington State where wolves are rescued from private owners, roadside zoos, animal collectors, and research facilities and are brought to a place where they receive a lifetime of compassionate care. The animals at Wolf Haven are treated with the utmost dignity and respect, are given a large enclosure with freedom to roam and also a partner to cohabitate with. Wolf Haven has rescued over 170 wolves and currently houses 41 wolves, seven wolf dogs and two coyotes, these including the highly endangered Mexican Grey and Red Wolf. This sanctuary is one of only three US pre-release breeding facilities in a multi agency effort to restore the Mexican Grey Wolf to the Southwest. Wolf Haven works tirelessly to affect legislation for the protection of these wild creatures. I strive to show these wolves as if I had happened upon them in the forest, to portray them as wild but also gentle, beautiful and loving creatures, unlike the way they are often portrayed in films and in the media as blood thirsty hunters and killers. I believe the wild creatures among us embody the instinct and love we have lost, and with this I realize more and more the purpose of my work. I see that society is so distanced from nature. How can we, as humans, be expected to respect, love and care for something that we do not know or understand? I hope my pictures can offer a deeper look inside the souls of these creatures and inspire humans to care for them and reflect on all of our deep interconnectedness as beings of the earth. I photograph through very small holes in an incredibly strong fence (that can be seen in many of the pictures) which protects me, but barely keeps me from falling in love with these highly intelligent, beautiful beings.