How Enemies Can Become
Best Friends
Can
so-called "natural enemies"—wild bears, wolves and
mountain lions—live together as friends? Or, will they
fight, maim or kill each other? A
very special wildlife park shares an "unbelievable" story
about how one member of a group can transform the consciousness of a whole
community. In this case, the one was an Arizona gray wolf
"Your friends are
wild, dude!"
On the
outskirts of Phoenix, an eclectic assortment of wild animals
live at "Out of Africa" (www.outofafricapark.com).
This
wild beast and reptile sanctuary is host to large predatory cats such as
lions, tigers, cougars, leopards plus a menagerie of other wild creatures
including 16 foot pythons, ancient tortoises, exotic birds and giant lizards.
This
extraordinary educational center enthralls audiences with live interactions
between wild animals and people. In some animal encounters, audience members
are invited to spontaneously pet and play with the critters.
"We wanted
to do things in a non-traditional way," states founder, Dean
Harrison. "Our objectives focused on co-existing with the wildest
of all large land predators. At the park we work hard to teach kindness
to all the cats, so that when they grow up and a hierarchy develops, the
ruler will be a benevolent one."
Close to the heart
Dean
and his wife, Prayeri, often share a bed with some of the large furry
felines who can weigh over 600 pounds. The trusting couple never
carry any weapons or physical means of defense. The results of this
intimate connection are countless incidences of these creatures
exhibiting intelligent, caring behavior towards the Harrisons.
Soon
Dean and Prayeri discovered that their own benevolent style of living
and playing with lions and tigers—species other than their own—influenced
other species that are not usually best friends. Remarkably, several
"natural adversaries" in the park opened to the idea of living
together peacefully.
Trust
is contagious
Acting
on an intuitive vision, Dean decided to put three of the most
competitive "natural enemies" in the state of Arizona into the
same fenced outdoor living space. At first, these adolescent wild
animals—four mountain lions, four Arizona gray wolves and four Arizona
black bears—were scared and hostile towards each other. They
attacked each other. They roared ferociously at each other. Each group
claimed their own area inside their compound and did not trespass into
another group’s territory. However, after days of warning attacks,
hostile posturing and growling, something remarkable happened.
It
only takes one to break new ground
Dangerously
alone, the female wolf pack leader left the safety of her group and
sauntered into the territory claimed by the mountain lions. She lay down and
rolled over onto her back in a deliberate, submissive posture in front of
the four lions. The gray wolf exposed her throat and stomach to her enemies,
totally vulnerable to injury or even death. Cautiously, the juvenile cats
approached the she-wolf. The process of sniffing and careful investigation
took quite a while. Eventually the gigantic felines and lone wolf began
playing together. Before long, the rest of the wolf pack completed the newly
formed frisky alliance.
After
successfully breaking through the boundaries of the
mountain lions, the furry gray peacemaker intruded into the territory of the
bears. Repeating the same unprecedented behavior, the female lobo lay down
and opened herself to the four black beasts. Once again, after a lengthy
getting acquainted period, the bears and wolf began to frolic. Soon, the
other wolves joined in.
Play is contagious
Eventually
all three "natural enemies" overcame their programmed
instincts to remain separate and hostile. The young lions, wolves and
bears are an inspiring demonstration of how "natural enemies"
can alter their consciousness and change their relationships in order to
live and play in harmony
