Exotic animal park locates escaped timber wolves

WEST BRANSON, Mo. -- Workers at a Stone County exotic animal park say they have found two escaped timber wolves but have no immediate plans to capture them.

The endangered animals, including a pregnant female, escaped from Predator World on Feb. 15, shortly after arriving at the park.

Park spokesman Bruce Herschend said staff members will provide food to the animals and allow them to roam free until the pups are born.

"We think they've already been shopping for a den and probably have a decent one," said Herschend, adding the animals can travel up to 80 miles a day. "They may trade up if they find a better one."

Park owner Breck Wakefield said the animals escaped by breaking through a cage and digging under a perimeter fence. Officials think the animals were searching for a safe place to give birth.

The park said the wolves are not likely to approach people, but added that they will be more comfortable around humans than animals that have lived entirely in the wild. Anybody who sees the wolves should call the park but should not try to capture them.

Meanwhile, the animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals sent a letter to the United States Department of Agriculture on Thursday calling for an investigation of the park.

PETA alleges Predator World violated the federal Animal Welfare Act by not constructing a facility sufficient to keep the animals. It also alleges the perimeter fence at the park did not work as a secondary containment system.

Predator World officials said their facility has passed USDA inspections, and the USDA is working with the park and state conservation officials to develop a recapture plan.