SARASOTA, Fla. (WFLA) — For this week's ‘Gas Up & Go’, Big Cat Habitat gave us an inside look at an exciting new animal encounter coming soon.
“We are hanging out with the wolf pack,” laughed Big Cat Habitat’s Chief Operating Officer, Clayton Rosaire.
The wolf pack consists of four arctic wolves named King, Hulk, Nymeria, and Niblet. The pack was born at the facility and has been together their entire lives.
Soon, Big Cat Habitat will be offering the ‘Pack Experience,’ one of their latest innovative animal encounters designed for people of all ages.
Even before we entered the enclosure, the pack couldn’t contain their excitement about having visitors. Rosaire instructed my camera operator, Ben, and me to act like we were greeting our best friend’s dog.
“We want them to feel that everybody is kind of an extension of the pack,” said Rosaire. He added, “We want everyone to walk in and love them, because that guarantees you're a friend.”
Within seconds of walking into the enclosure, we were welcomed into the pack.
The wolves ran circles around us and even seemed eager to help us film. We played fetch and captured Nymeria cooling off with a much-needed dip on the hot summer day.
Rosaire emphasized the value of these experiences, particularly in connecting with children.
“Little kids who have life experiences with animals when they're younger,” said Rosaire, “Are little kids who become biologists, zoologists, and veterinarians. And that’s why these places are so important.”
I completely agree—who knows what path my cameraman Ben and I might have taken if we’d met these furry guys before starting our careers in television?
Big Cat Habitat will be offering the ‘Pack Experience’ soon. In the meantime, visitors can still enjoy encounters with Bolt, another arctic wolf.
About Big Cat Habitat:
Founded in 1987, Big Cat Habitat serves as a safe haven for exotic animals in need. The nonprofit offers up-close encounters with many of its animals, along with educational programs for visitors of all ages.
For more information, visit: https://bigcathabitat.org
