Wild animals’ untamed magnificence has an irresistible draw. We usually observe them from a safe distance, but the opportunity to get closer to these intriguing creatures is an otherworldly experience.
Enter the renowned Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center, an animal refuge hidden outside the vivid landscapes of Colorado Springs, where staff employees have the rare luxury of continually being exposed to the enthralling world of wolves.
In addition, this sanctuary allows visitors to engage with these gorgeous beasts and provides them with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to pet and snuggle with them!
Kekoa, 8, is a grey wolf who lives in the Colorado Wolf and Wildlife center — a snowy animal sanctuary in the woods.
Although Kekoa does everything a normal wolf would do, he also enjoys the presence of humans. Grey wolves are generally sociable animals and travel in packs of six to ten.
The 115 pound wolf was transferred from the Seacrest Wolf Preserve in Florida and came to Colorado. His name means Brave One in Hawaiian.
“Kekoa is a handsome young male with a sweet personality, which is good because he loves to greet visitors with wolf kisses,” his biography on the center’s site says.
“When he puts his paws on an other person’s shoulders he towers at about 7 feet.”
The footage shows the moment when Kekoa cuddles up next to Danielle, who shows no fear, the moment she sits next to him.
“I have always had a passion for nature and animals,” Danielle says on the site, “These wolves have my heart and I am honoured to have been accepted into their pack.”
The love fest doesn’t end there. Sakara, Kekao’s sister, comes by to kiss Danielle on her face. The three are happily exchanging kisses and snuggling.
Then Sakara comes toward the person filming and licks their hand.
“Since he was raised by people and bottle fed from the time he was born, he is very well socialized, meaning he enjoys the company of people,” Danielle told The Dodo. “This is not the same as domesticated or tame. He is still a ‘wild’ animal, and he does tend to show it when he is around is sister. A wolf in the wild would not act this way.”
Timberwolves, also known as grey wolves, were nearly hunted to extinction in the lower 48 states, according to Daily Mail.
However, they have since been reintroduced into the wilderness. They have mostly died out in Europe, but many have survived in Alaska, Canada and Asia.
When hunting large prey such as deer, moose and elk, grey wolves will assist each other.
If there is a puppy in the pack, all the wolves will help care for the baby cub by bringing them food and looking after them while the others hunt.
