By Dolores Tropiano
Dinner with Wolves is not exactly what it sounds like. Guests will not be sharing an intimate catered dinner with a Mexican gray passing the salt. But these mysterious, wild animals will be close by. Tables at the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center’s April 15th fundraiser are set within howling distance of the sanctuary’s 13 resident gray wolves.
WOLVES MAKE A COMEBACK
One of the goals of the evening is to educate guests about the Mexican gray wolf, which has been protected by the Endangered Species Act since 1976. At that time, the wolf had become nearly extinct. Progress has been made in bringing back this legendary wild animal. In 2017, there were 113 Mexican gray wolves in the wild. But that has changed. In March, two were shot and killed in Arizona.
Ann Siner is a strong supporter of the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center and will be providing a bus to the event.
WHY WOLVES?
“Wolves are a vital piece of the wildlife eco-system right here in our own state. The balance is in our hands to develop a plan to keep them in the Southwest and to let them live,” said Siner, CEO and founder of My Sister’s Closet, My Sister’s Attic and Well Suited and co-creator of the fundraiser. “Once they are gone, they are gone. We can’t get them back.”
Ann Damiano and Pam Wugalter (co-chair) decided to help with this year’s fundraiser after attending it for several years.
“It brought us closer to the cause of preserving the Mexican gray wolf and supporting the work of Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center,” said Damiano, event chair. “Providing a sanctuary and rehabilitation to animals that cannot be returned to the wild is a critical service to our community and we want to support those efforts in any way we can.”
The gala feature a self-guided tour and a chance to see black bears, bobcats, fox, jaguar and more. There will be speakers and auctions. Proceeds will benefit Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center and Defenders of Wildlife.
Linda Searles, founder of the center says the fundraiser is crucial. “We could not survive without events like this.”
EVENT DETAILS
What: Cocktails, speakers, a self-guided tour, auctions, and a catered dinner just feet from the wolf enclosure.
When: 4:30-6:30 p.m., April 15
Where: Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center, 27026 N. 156th St., Scottsdale
Transportation: Need a ride? Buses leave 4 p.m. from My Sister’s Closet in the Lincoln Village at 6204 N. Scottsdale Rd., Paradise Valley
Price: $250
Info: Education@southwestwildlife.org, 480-471-3621. Proceeds benefit the work of Southwest Wildlife and Defenders of Wildlife.
