Tanja and the wolves....
Tanja Askani
I was born in Czechoslovakia and grew up in an industrial town of a
Czech mining region. Love of animals was lived at home. My father taught
me from the very beginning how to treat animals and how to take care of
them respectfully. He always took abandoned, sick and "waste" animals
back home and supported me in taking care of them until we had managed
to find a new home for them
In 1990 I moved to Germany and managed to fulfill some of my smaller and
bigger dreams. I began to work as falconer at "Wildpark Luneburger
Heide" and meanwhile I am in charge of several packs of wolves which I
hand raised by myself. Apart from my job I am a passionate photographer,
write books and deliver lectures. The focus of attention to me is
always the animal itself, and that we have to accept these creatures for
what they are and free of moral adjudications and romantic prejudices.
2010 turned out to be a very special year for me. After years of
persuasion, endless investigations and paper-warfare beyond belief, I
finally brought the project "Fresh Wolf blood" to an end. In spring 2010
I flew to Canada to pick-up Naaja, the eagerly longed the eagerly
longed she-wolf puppy. The 30 minutes documentary "Wolfpuppy Naaja -
from Canada to Heide" does not only report on the adventurous journey to
Canada but also shows Naajas further development and the integration
into the pack.
Wolves are extremely shy by nature. My many years of working with hand
bred wolves have shown that those can cope far better with the unnatural
stress for wild animals, like contact to people in public wild parks or
zoos, than shy wild animals. My animals perceive the crowd behind the
fence not as a threat. To a great extent they lack the wolf- typical
attitude towards men - to run away. Their attitude is rather friendly
which makes it easier for the visitors to watch them. Respect and
dignity towards the wolf as a fellow creature benefit from getting to
know them at such close proximity and increases the public interest in
wild living wolves. So my wolves became missioners for the wild living
fellow- species.
To speak on behalf of the animals the advantage by far overweighs the
disadvantages. The confident relationship eases the daily contact and
enables me to check the state of health, discover clinical signs of
illness far earlier and put me in the position to deliver a precise
diagnosis ( e.g. by sweeping). When I am present my wolves can be
treated by a vet without anesthesia or can be carried to a vet in case
of emergency without stress.
Further therapies can be applied, like rubbing with ointment or
medication, without problem.
Neither are my animals trained nor have they turned into tamed pets.
Despite their socialization towards men, they still show absolutely
typical behavior patterns towards their fellow species. There are no
misfeatures: Fellow species are chosen as partners, towards puppies they
behave normal and species-specific. The wolf is still no cuddly toy or
pet, but remains a wild animal.
Wolves
Wolves are extremely shy by nature. My many years of working with hand
bred wolves have shown that those can cope far better with the unnatural
stress for wild animals, like contact to people in public wild parks or
zoos, than shy wild animals. My animals perceive the crowd behind the
fence not as a threat. To a great extent they lack the wolf- typical
attitude towards men - to run away. Their attitude is rather friendly
which makes it easier for the visitors to watch them. Respect and
dignity towards the wolf as a fellow creature benefit from getting to
know them at such close proximity and increases the public interest in
wild living wolves. So my wolves became missioners for the wild living
fellow- species.
To speak on behalf of the animals the advantage by far overweighs the
disadvantages. The confident relationship eases the daily contact and
enables me to check the state of health, discover clinical signs of
illness far earlier and put me in the position to deliver a precise
diagnosis ( e.g. by sweeping). When I am present my wolves can be
treated by a vet without anesthesia or can be carried to a vet in case
of emergency without stress.
Further therapies can be applied, like rubbing with ointment or
medication, without problem.
Neither are my animals trained nor have they turned into tamed pets.
Despite their socialization towards men, they still show absolutely
typical behavior patterns towards their fellow species. There are no
misfeatures: Fellow species are chosen as partners, towards puppies they
behave normal and species-specific. The wolf is still no cuddly toy or
pet, but remains a wild animal.
Wolves very much differ from each other regarding appearance, character
and temper. Each of them has an unique personality with strengths and
weaknesses and likes and dislikes and I would be glad to introduce them
to you here.
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