Gray Wolf

Sachin -- the pictures of the wolves were taken at Wolf Park in Battle Ground, Indiana, a sanctuary where socialized wolves that were injured and can't return to the wild, or were taken from circuses, zoos, etc. are released into a very large tract of wild land. There are fences to keep them from escaping, but the park is essentially a research station for lupine biologists; it is open to the public as a way of educating people. My husband and I "adopted" one of the wolves there back in 2009 (not cheap) and when you do that, you get to enter their world to see them close up. But they are not tame, and there are about a million warnings not to treat them like dogs -- don't pet them, don't yell at them, don't tease them, etc. I don't believe everyone's ever been hurt, but I think that's more due to the staff being so expert and on top of things than anything else. These are still fairly wild creatures -- somewhat more socialized to man being around than wolves that have never seen a human, but definitely not pets. :) It was an absolutely wonderful experience to be there, and we still visit at least once a year; I hope some day we'll once again have the sort of funds to adopt one again. All the money you give when you do so goes toward maintaining the sanctuary (but not paying anyone; it's an all-volunteer force) and studying the wolves.