Dances With Wolves

Near Reitz in the Free State there’s a sanctuary for more than 200 wolves – and they’re all as meek as lambs.

- Jacques Myburgh

IT’S not the kind of sound you’d expect to hear ripping through the quiet of the Free State plains – spine-chilling howls being made by more than 200 wolves smack-bang in the middle of livestock country.

But these animals have never caused farmers a moment’s trouble and they’re the pride and joy of the man who’s devoted his life to them.

Forget the big bad wolf who gobbled up Little Red Riding Hood’s granny and terrorised the Three Little Pigs – wolves are the gentlest creatures, says Larry Paul, owner of Husky Romi Wolf Sanctuary near Reitz in the Free State.

This haven for abused wolves and huskies is situated on Larry’s 86-hectare farm and houses 214 wolves and 53 huskies.

“These wolves are used to people,” Larry says. “They’re bred as pets or for the hunting industry.”

He abhors hunting. He tells us of the cruelty of canned hunting, where animals are chased into an enclosed space where they can be shot easily.