 Failure to euthanize dying wolf
Tenino, WA (US)Date: Jan 5, 2005
County: Thurston
Local Map: available
Disposition: Not Charged
Case Images: 1 files available
Abuser names unreleased
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KIRO Team 7 Investigators have uncovered accusations of animal cruelty at one of the world's top wolf sanctuaries. Wolf Haven in Tenino, just south of Olympia, has successfully saved and cared for injured Mexican, Red and Gray Wolves since 1982.
Their reputation is now on the line.
Investigative Reporter Chris Halsne has exclusive videotape of a dying animal there that is now at the heart of a federal probe.
The videotape is difficult to watch, but appears to document the agonizing pain of a captive gray wolf.
KIRO Team 7 Investigators asked why "Akela" was allowed to suffer for nearly a week without medical aid.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, in charge of inspecting wildlife sanctuaries and zoos, wants to know as well.
It's a sight you won't see on the Wolf Haven educational tour: Akela, a once proud and dominant Alpha male, sprawled out in the mud, barely able to walk or eat or see or breathe.
Staff wouldn't dare get within 20 feet of any healthy wolf here, certainly not Akela.
However, in videotape shot on Wednesday, Jan. 5, the gray wolf was so sick, so close to death, employees could stroke his fur.
"His eyes were infected, swollen shut. They were weeping. It was horrible to see. It broke my heart to know that he was suffering, unable to get up and shake the rain off, that he was probably going to freeze to death if he didn't starve to death," said Shawndra Michell, a Wolf Haven volunteer.
According to staff and internal Wolf Haven animal care log books, a veterinarian this day, Jan. 5, ordered Akela be humanely euthanized.
The wolf was diagnosed with complete kidney failure. That was Wednesday.
So why did we discover Akela still lying in his sub-freezing outdoor pen, barely alive, on Monday, Jan. 10, six days later?
Wolf Haven volunteer Shawndra Michell was so sickened by Akela's treatment for that six days, she called federal zoo inspectors.
"He was mistreated. He was forced to suffer. I think it was animal cruelty. It certainly was against the law and has put this organization at risk," Michell said.
Documents obtained by KIRO Team 7 Investigators say within a half hour after USDA vets arrived to see Akela, the 15-year-old wolf was ordered euthanized immediately.
"He was emaciated. He was skin and bones. He couldn't walk, was in a lot of pain. It was long overdue," said Michelle Margolis of Wolf Haven.
Wolf Haven staff member Michelle Margolis was there that day. She says USDA inspectors told her the original vet's decision to put Akela out of his misery the week before should not have been ignored.
Margolis: "What the vet says goes and they were very surprised that he had been kept alive as long as he had been." Halsne: "Against the vets recommendation?" Margolis: "Against the vet twice -- on two occasions."
That's right. Records show a vet recommended euthanasia on both the 5th and 7th of January, but these notes say Susan and the board "X'ed" the decision.
The "Susan" is Susan Sergojan, the new executive director in charge of Wolf Haven.
She acknowledged a federal investigation was under way, but told KIRO Team 7 Investigators this was a "non-story" and declined further comment for now.
A number of Wolf Haven employees who spoke with KIRO Team 7 Investigators want Sergojan and the board of directors held accountable for prolonging Akela's pain.
"Drastic measures are needed. When an animal suffers. When an animal is forced to be tortured and intentional pain is inflicted on them, drastic measures are called for," Michell said.
We asked Wolf Haven's curator -- the person responsible for day-to-day care of the animals -- how this happened. She told KIRO Team 7 Investigators she asked repeatedly for permission to have Akela euthanized, to put him out of his misery.
Top management repeatedly said no. Neighborhood MapFor more information about the Interactive Animal Cruelty Maps, see the map notes.
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