Researcher Werner Freund, 79, a former German paratrooper, established the [wolf] sanctuary in 1972 and has raised more than 70 animals there over the last 40 years. He acquired the wolves as cubs from zoos or animal parks and has reared them mostly by hand. Werner has also taken to living closely with his wolves, behaving as an alpha male to earn their acceptance and respect.
Werner lives very close to his wolves.