Southgate Elementary students got a chance to meet a live wolf recently as part of a program designed to encourage them to respect nature and the environment.

Fourth-, fifth- and sixth-graders met the ambassador wolf, and a wolf/dog hybrid, as part of a nationwide educational program presented by Mission: Wolf, a sanctuary located in Colorado.

Mission: Wolf takes in captive-born wolves when their owners no longer want them or can no longer take care of them. The sanctuary currently cares for about 40 wolves. Sanctuary staff members are traveling around the country educating students about wolves, wolf habits and the status of wolves in North America.

Southgate students will have the opportunity to sponsor a wolf that lives at the sanctuary, and a vote will be taken soon. As part of the sponsorship, classes will receive a periodic newsletter about life at the refuge, a biography on their wolf’s life and history, a photo and a bit of naturally shed fur.

More information about the sanctuary can be found at Mission: Wolf. (This link will direct you away from the North Colonie Web site.)