Storm halts howling at Thurston County wolf sanctuary | Weather

Last week’s snow and ice storms have devastated a popular wolf sanctuary in Thurston County.

Wolf Haven International in Tenino sustained an estimated $40,000 in damage, said Wolf Haven’s communications director Kim Young.

The 50 wolves and staff at the 83-acre complex avoided injury, but trees, fences and a surveillance system took a beating. (Watch a video of the storm's impact on Wolf Haven)

“The wolves were constantly looking to dodge the fallen branches and they just kept running and hunkering down to avoid the limbs,” Young said.

With the breeding month of February approaching soon, workers are wondering when the sanctuary will retain any sense of normalcy.

“We would normally keep everybody out of there to give the wolves privacy, but we know we are going to have crews in there repairing fences and enclosures,” Young said.

The storm was so intense that an animal curator noted the wolves actually stopped howling together for a period of days, resuming for the first time on Saturday.

“Our curator has been here 13 years and she said she has never seen anything like this,” Young said.

During the storm, two wolves escaped when a tree pummeled part of their enclosure. Animal care workers were able to find the wolves within the outer fences of the property.

“We really think it’s a miracle that only two did temporarily escape,” Young said.

Wolf Haven is normally closed the month of February for breeding but the sanctuary is hoping to be back open for business in March.

Most of the wolves are rescued from private owners and occasionally horrible conditions. For information on how to help the sanctuary, visit Wolf Haven’s website or call 360-264-4695.

Photos via Wolf Haven's Facebook page.