Crai a Lonely Wolf, history and more information about him

Crai is a male wolf, born in 1996 on a fur-farm in Romania. He came together with Poiana, a female wolf, to the Carpathian Large Carnivore Project (CLCP) when they were only about 16 days old. It was Christoph Promberger, the Project leader and initiator who wanted to have these two wolves. I came to the project as a student in 1996 and helped to hand raise to wolves who became very tame. Because of my background knowledge in veterinary medicine and animals specific dietry requirements Christoph asked me to take responsibility for the diet of both wolf puppies to ensure their good health during the first 4 months, this is the most critical period. I became employed in the CLCP in 1997. Both wolves were living together with our students and volunteers at the wolf cabin near Zarnesti, at the foothills of Piatra Craiului. The wolves lived there until the end of 2003, when Christoph decided that the CLCP was to come to an end after 10 years. Christoph’s idea was to develop a large carnivore information centre where both wolves would eventually be moved. The project failed.

From 2004 Crai and Poiana were living a lonely and abounded life in the wolf enclosure. Luckily Herrmann and Katharina Kurmes (local tour operators) took on the task of feeding the wolves even though it was not their responsibility. Still, nobody was living at the cabin the whole year round to take proper care of the wolves.

Poiana died at the beginning of May 2008 at the age of 12, nobody was there at the time and Crai was left completely alone in his enclosure. Only Herrmann and Katharina were feeding him and consulting a vet because he looked in such terrible condition. He was skinny and had serious problems with his skin. It was clear that he was very lonely and suffering from the lack of company.

A wolf is a highly sociable animal. In fact, I believe it would have been his death if nothing had been changed. When I heard about the death of Poiana, 3 weeks after she died, I asked Christoph Promberger what he was planning to do for Crai. He told me he doesn’t want to take any action. It is my view that he has the main responsibility for Crai and Poiana, even if he doesn’t agree. I still can not understand his attitude. He believes that he has no more any responsibility for both wolves.

I could not accept the situation and took action straight away to start searching for a short and long term solution for Crai. I came to Romania at the end of May for two weeks to stay with Crai. Crai was still in terrible condition and quite shy. I started working with Crai and after 10 days I decided to take him out like I had done when he was younger, the last time in 2001. To begin with it was not completely without risk to take him out for a little walk, however, he was extremely excited about it and full of fun and joy.

During these two weeks Crai was already starting to recover and was enjoying life more and more. It was necessary for me to go back to Germany to get myself organised and come back to sort out a solution for Crai as soon as possible. In the meantime I was criticising Christoph for his attitude towards the wolves. Herrmann and Katharina wanted to help and were very cooperative in trying to find a new solution.

Since July 25^th I have been back and staying at the wolf cabin to take care of Crai. So far I have managed to find volunteers to help take care of Crai more or less 24h a day. No unfamiliar people have access to Crai to disturb him, bring him unhealthy food, or to try to make him angry and upset. Even more people, mainly friends, have been assisting financially to make it possible for me to stay here such a long time without income.

I wish to thank you for all of your help, it is so much appreciated. Here are some enjoyable pictures of Crai taken during the last few weeks.

At the beginning it was only me leading Crai as he was still a bit nervous with different people. Here are some pictures with my nephew Patrick. Crai never had problems with my female dog, they like each other.

After couple of days, volunteers could begin to lead Crai. Patrick stayed for two weeks and they developed a good relationship.

I believe it is very important for Crai to train every day to improve his physical condition, strength and general health. He needs to learn to trust certain people again. As you can see, he loves the water and his muscles are getting stronger again.

After a week Crai started to play with us and we were running in the meadows and along the road. Every day he received a lot of attention in and outside of the enclosure.

After 3 weeks of work with him, he is relaxed, interested in what is going on around him, playing and really enjoying all the activities that we do with him. I should point out that Crai is a rare exception of a wolf, he is extremely friendly but still shy around strange people who haven’t been introduced to him. I have cleaned out his enclosure that had become overgrown with nettles and thorns along the trails and places he likes to rest. It had become a kind of jungle. Crai enjoyed participating and started to play with me, he was steeling the gardening gloves!

All of this is only a short term solution.