The Challenge:
Sanctuary (n.): a place of refuge and protection.
Hidden in the forest outside Tenino, Washington, a quiet sanctuary exists with the sole purpose of providing compassion, protection, and rehabilitation for its misunderstood residents who have suffered at the hands of others. This place of refuge, where one can achieve the freedom to express one's sense of self while healing from abuse and neglect, doesn’t cater to the needs of humankind, however, but to the animals that call it their lifetime home: wolves.
Wolf Haven International has created a unique space unlike any other: an 80-acre property that has provided refuge for over 300 displaced, captive-born wolves and wolf-dogs since its inception in 1982. Their animal-centric facility, accredited by the American Sanctuary Association (ASA) and the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS), provides industry-leading care to its residents while minimizing human interaction, thereby maintaining living conditions as close as possible to those of their wild counterparts. To continue this mission, Wolf Haven recognized the need for an innovative technology partner to devise a solution for monitoring the health of their residents without the stress of human intervention.
The Solution: Adapting Technology with Region 6 Integration
Region 6 and Wolf Haven joined together to embody the pack mindset: working together yields the highest probability of success. Leveraging their own commitment to excellence, no matter the challenge, and the wisdom of the Wolf Haven team, Region 6 stepped into the rural facility to craft a cutting-edge video solution that would seamlessly integrate technology and wilderness, going where no company had gone before.
To avoid the elevated stress for the animals that would be caused by installing stationary cameras in each pen, the first order of business was to create a network backbone that tapped into the central servers across the property, enabling the infrastructure to move cameras from one pen to another. Leveraging a fiber network from the visitor center and adding lines where needed, Region 6 expanded the network's reach to cover most of the sanctuary, enabling access to previously inaccessible enclosures.
Fabricating their own poles to mount the cameras, Region 6 provided a tailored, portable solution that enabled caregivers and staff to monitor each wolf's health and behavior without direct human interaction. While their previous, outdated technology made it difficult to distinguish one wolf from another, this advanced technology gave the ability to zoom in close enough to diagnose a growth on the paw of an injured animal, making for groundbreaking strides in their care while maintaining an environment that honors their wild nature.
Working in an environment focused on animal well-being, rather than human timelines, required flexibility and thoughtfulness to create a seamless experience for both humans and animals. Going above and beyond, Region 6 tackled the project with tenacity and efficiency, working through the unique challenges while minimizing disturbances by adhering to noise, time, and heat restrictions. This approach eased the stress levels for the animals while humans were in their space.
The Result: Groundbreaking Technology to Push the Boundaries of Wolf Conservation
As the only wolf sanctuary in the world accredited by the Golden Federation of Animal Sanctuaries, Wolf Haven has set the standard for sanctuaries. Now, they have the resources and dynamic technology necessary to take wolf conservation to the next level: caring for, conserving, and protecting these magnificent animals in an environment that gives them the dignity and respect they deserve.
Since its launch in late 2024, the new camera system has allowed for groundbreaking advancements in wolf care, including a study of the breeding behaviors of wolves. With the ability to monitor the health and behavior of the animals without human intervention, they were able to capture footage that provided insights that will radically improve wolf conservation.
The Wolf Haven project is a testament to Region 6’s dedication to excellence, even in uncharted territory, where it rises to meet challenges with innovative, cutting-edge solutions tailored to meet your unique needs.
To learn more about the groundbreaking work Wolf Haven is doing for wolf conservation, check out their website at: wolfhaven.org