The Maine Warden Service will investigate within the next week an unlicensed wolf sanctuary that has operated in Limington for 22 years, Capt. Dan Smith said today.
The service learned that Brenda Foster lacked necessary permits to keep wolves after The Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram visited her sanctuary on Tuesday to do a feature story.
Wolves are protected as an endangered species in nearly every state in the continental United States, except Minnesota.
Smith said wardens will first determine whether Foster’s five animals are pure-blooded wolves or wolf hybrids. If any of the animals are true wolves, the service will work with Foster to bring her sanctuary into compliance with wildlife regulations, he said.
Foster said they are true wolves that were found living in captivity and neglected or abused.
In Maine, anyone who keeps a pure-blooded wolf must have a state permit and must have educational or rehabilitative purposes for keeping the wolf, said Christine Fraser, animal welfare veterinarian for the Maine Department of Agriculture.
Mainers may keep wolf hybrids as pets without permits, Fraser said.
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