Many people, including myself, would be utterly terrified to actually see a wolf because of how vicious and aggressive they are reputed to be.
The name Kekoa, which is Hawaiian for “brave one,” is given to the huge grey wolf that Danielle first sees roaming alongside her.
Kekoa deviates significantly from other wolves and the stereotype in general.
While she still seems to have a certain amount of regard for others, she also appears to have a lot of respect for people, especially Danielle.
In the Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center, a pet refuge close to Colorado Springs, Kekoa enjoys the good life.
She resides in the sanctuary, along with the other animals, because she cannot survive in the wild.
A staff member named Danielle has a remarkable friendship with the big wolf.
My mouth dropped when I initially noticed Kekoa and Danielle playing together. A magical and bizarre sight, especially when you consider how much larger Kekoa is than Danielle.
He seems brave and valiant, but he’s also a large baby—really big! He is 115 pounds and is nearly 7 feet tall when he puts his front paws on someone’s shoulders.
And just when you think you’ve seen it all, Sakura, another wolf, appears and expresses a want to hug.
Staff member Michelle Smith said the following in an interview with The Dodo Wildlife Center:
“Because he was bottle-fed from birth and nurtured by people, he is highly well-socialized, which means he likes being around people. This is distinct from being tamed or domesticated. He still behaves like a “wild” animal, and he often exhibits this behavior near his sister. This is not how a wolf would behave in the wild.
What an incredible video clip this is:
Wild wolves have not lived in Colorado since the 1940s, but it appears that they will soon do so.
Almost 40,000 visitors a year take advantage of the guided, educational tours the Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center offers about wolves and their significance to ecosystems.
Spread the word about this tale to educate people about wolves and support the Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center.
