WOLF ENCLOSURE UPDATES

Click here to view a copy of the enclosure plans. July 14, 2002 Phase 1A of the enclosure was completed May 6, 2002 and Amadeus and Hopa moved the following weekend (May 12).  This section is intended to be the high security, shift and isolation area and consists of a 20' x 20' x 8' pen built using 9 gauge chain link and 1 5/8 inch schedule 40 posts.  The top is completely covered with 11.5 gauge chain link and there is a buried dig barrier which extends 4 feet into the pen on all sides (also 11.5 gauge chain link.)  The cage top is supported by a series of rails and cables.  Additional external supporting structures are planned to be added with the construction of the observation areas.  Tarps are currently hung to provide shade areas, but permanent shade will be be built as part of the observation areas. Phase 1B is well underway and is expected to be completed by the end of July 2002.  This  phase will add approximately 1600 square feet of exercise space,
Ditch for water line   including a small pond. The north and south walls are 30 feet long and the east and west walls are 26 feet long.  Each corner is made up of a pair of 135 degree corners separated by a 10 foot stretch of fencing (adding just over 14 feet to the total length of each side.)  This eliminates the 90 degree corners, reducing the potential for climbing.  The sides are constructed of 9 gauge chain link with 1 5/8 inch schedule 40 posts.  There is also a 4 foot dig barrier identical to the one in Phase 1A section.  At the top of each wall is a 2 foot climb barrier		Construction photos from 07/07/2002 (click on thumbnails for larger image) View of construction from the south side.  The framing for the entry door and tunnel opening are visible in the first photo.  (Both doors were completed on 7/14/2002.)
		View from the north side.  In the second photo the proximity to the woods is apparent.
angled inward at  approximately 45 degrees.  Light weight (14 gauge) wire welded wire is used for the climb barrier since it is intended to be able to sag and give if challenged.  A hot wire will run along the top of the main fence below the climb barrier as additional insurance.  This section of the enclosure is built far enough away from the wooded area to prevent a storm blowing over a tree and compromising the fencing.

The two sections are separated by a six foot barrier and connected through a chain link tunnel which is 40 inches square.  This tunnel can double as a squeeze cage if needed.  The 6 foot separation area also contains the safety cage and will include a raised observation platform.

Phase 2 will extend into the nearby woods.  This addition is projected to be completed in late 2002 and should expand the exercise area by approximately 2500 to 3500 square feet (final dimensions still to be determined.)  It will be constructed similar to phase 1B but will be directly attached to that section with a pair of doors between them.  An additional safety cage will also be built joining the two sections.

July 21, 2002

The construction continues with much progress.  Three corner panels are up and the dig barrier buried.  The extensions for the climb barrier are attached and ready to hang fencing.  With three long walls and one corner remaining the last of the fencing should go up quickly.  The rough holes for the pond are dug and the liners are ready for installation.  The remainder should go quickly (I expect only one or two more weekends!)

Great progress has been made, but it's still not complete.  The heat has been a real hurdle for construction and has slowed it down quite a bit.  On Saturday, 8/3 the final length of fabric was secured.  We drained the hole where the pond will go and temporarily attached the dig barrier and let the two of them into the enclosure for a supervised visit (a more complete version of the story is in the Amadeus Diaries)  On Sunday (8/3) part of the tunnel was completed and framing cut for the rest of it.  Stone was added to the bottom of the pit for the pond and the base firmed up.  It was very hot and the the air was still, making working on the pen very difficult.  Hopefully the pen will be completed this coming weekend.

August 18, 2002

I was really expecting to get the new area completed today, but just didn't quite make it.  The pond is fixed though there's some finishing to be done.  The hot wire to prevent climbing is working (and was tested the hard way by accident, so I know it works.)  The panels for the tunnel are completed, and most of the climb barrier is completed.  Still to be done: the last finishing on the pond, completing the corners for the overhanging climb barrier, move the wolves into the exercise area and complete the tunnel (I need to get them out of the secure area for this part.)  This should go quickly so no more than a couple of hours.

August 25, 2002

The pen is complete.  We opened the doors through the safety cage so they could run into the exercise area.  Amadeus ran through immediately and was overjoyed.  It took Hopa a while, but she finally ran through and started romping with her buddy.  Once they were through we closed the doors then finished the tunnel on the side with the quarantine cage.  Unfortunately it was getting dark when we got them though so there were no pictures.