Wolf-hybrid sanctuary gets OK from planners

By Ashley Livingston

Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2009 | 10:40 p.m.

The Clark County Planning Commission Tuesday approved a request to open a wildlife sanctuary in Silverado near the M Resort.

The Ba’cho Nowhidee Wildlife Sanctuary will be permitted to house as many as 20 wolf-hybrids and three horses.

The facility will be located on a four-acre site south of St. Rose Parkway, near Gilespie Street and Volunteer Boulevard.

After a short debate between sanctuary owners Chris and Kelli Caracci and commissioners, a provision requested by Clark County Animal Control that the animals be required to wear GPS collars was ultimately stricken from the requirements set forth by the commission.

Chris Caracci said the collars would be cost prohibitive and that the animals would chew them off.

Precautionary measures set in place to ensure the animals will stay where they are supposed to will come partially in the form of three 8-foot-high chain link fences around the habitat enclosures and the perimeters of the property.

The sanctuary is relocating from an area near Pahrump where it has been in operation for the last five years.

The wolf-hybrids rescued by the facility include wild cubs that have lost their parents, former pets whose owners found they could no longer care for them and wolf-hybrids found by animal control agencies in various conditions, Kelli Caracci said.