Pigs, Wolves, and Compassion: Rebecca Bose’s pictures exhibit involves Pound Ridge

By Carol Reif

NORTH SALEM, N.Y. – Pigs and wolves have completely nothing in frequent apart from being ceaselessly linked in a basic youngsters’s fable, proper?

Not true, says North Salem’s Rebecca Bose, who ought to know contemplating that she’s labored carefully with every species for years.

Of course there are the apparent variations, however each are extremely smart and social animals able to advanced feelings akin to pleasure, grief, empathy, and loyalty.

And, extra importantly of their adoring advocate’s eyes, each have been deeply impacted by humankind and are, due to this fact, in dire want of safety.

CARING FOR CRITTERS

Bose packs a imply CV relating to caring for critters.

She’s the curator of the Wolf Conservation Center within the hamlet of South Salem in Lewisboro, the place she was one of many first employees employed in 2003. Bose additionally sits on the board of administrators for Arthur’s Acres, a Sullivan County-based animal sanctuary named for its first rescue, a tiny piglet deserted at a defunct yard slaughter operation.

Bose has a grasp’s diploma in zoology and is a veterinary technician.

Her life accomplice, Chris Evers, is the founding father of Animal Embassy, which focuses on wildlife conservation and environmental training.

The pair’s eclectic Flying Pig Farm in North Salem harbors greater than 100 species of rescued and adopted home and unique animals and offers a habitat for various native wildlife.

Their most beloved animal ambassador simply occurs to be Kooney Kooney, a seven-year-old rotund ginger, brown, and black kunekune pig with mildly intimidating tusks however a docile, pleasant nature.

Bose is a hands-on sort of volunteer who’s equally snug mucking out a barn as she is behind the lens of a digital camera.

She’s not afraid to actually get right down to her animal topic’s stage, which makes for some nice photographs and encourages people to see them with empathy and respect.

Which brings us to the opposite level of this pig’s story.

Bose’s charming, humorous, dignified, and poignant images of porcine residents of Arthur’s Acres are being exhibited at The Kitchen Table at Pound Ridge.

(Among the high-quality swine depicted are Glinda, Regan, Lenny, Ann Claire, Mukta, Wolfie, and Harlene Rita.)

The opening reception on the cafe is that this Sunday, Jan. 18, from 5 to 7 p.m.

The present will hold till a minimum of the tip of February.

Sales of the prints will profit Arthur’s Acres.

Light bites (vegan, in fact) and drinks will likely be served.

CATALYST FOR CHANGE

Bose was considering of going to vet college when she began volunteering on the WCC round 2000 and “never left,” she mentioned, including that she by no means thought in her “wildest dreams” there’d be a spot like that in her personal yard.

“Wolves are beautiful and a keystone species. I’m attracted to them for many reasons,” mentioned Bose, grateful to have had the chance to work with them.

Being “apex predators,” they management herbivore populations akin to elk and deer, which prevents overgrazing and permits vegetation to get better, stabilizing riverbanks and creating habitats for smaller members of the ecosystem akin to beavers, birds, and fish.

Fear and loathing of wolves is known as a symptom of alienation and animosity in direction of wildness, scientists say.

They and different giant animals like moose, cougars, and bears may be harmful to individuals, however incidents involving wolves are exceedingly uncommon. While wolves choose their pure prey, they’re typically hated by ranchers and herders due to predation on livestock akin to sheep and goats.

On the plus facet is that, as symbols of household, loyalty, and energy by means of their advanced pack constructions, wolves provide classes in cooperation and communication.

They additionally enhance ecotourism.

Bose’s now “obsessed” with Arthur’s Acres, which, by the best way, additionally cares for chickens, canines, cats, and one bullfrog, Jeremiah.

To her, pigs are equally as “misunderstood.”

“People think they’re dirty, but they’re not,” defined Bose, noting that pigs are some of the clever animals on the planet and but most people solely see them “as food.”

(Their problem-solving talents are mentioned to be fairly exceptional.)

Having Kooney Kooney come into her life actually opened up her eyes, mentioned Bose, who was already a diehard animal lover.

“He was a catalyst for change; if it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t have found Arthur’s Acres,” she mentioned, anxious that others additionally “see these animals for what they are” – sensible, family-oriented, and emotional.

ARTHUR’S ACRES

Arthur’s Acres is a 77-acre farm in Parksville within the coronary heart of the Catskills. It was based by Todd Friedman, its government director.

Its mission is to rescue livestock which have been abused, exploited, or discarded and the purpose is to rehabilitate them by means of persistence, love, and respect.

It additionally educates people about methods to reside “cruelty-free lives through daily choices.”

For extra data, go to www.arthursacresanimalsanctuary.org.

WOLF CONSERVATION CENTER

The Wolf Conservation Center is a non-profit instructional facility targeted on wolf conservation, advocacy, and analysis, housing “ambassador” wolves for public packages, and collaborating in federal restoration efforts for endangered Mexican grey wolves and purple wolves.

It gives guided excursions, pictures periods, and digital packages to show about wolves’ ecological significance and to encourage coexistence with wildlife.

Pre-registration is required as drop-in visits aren’t allowed. 

For extra data, go to www.nywolf.org.

GOOD TO KNOW

The Kitchen Table is situated at 71 Westchester Ave. within the Scotts Corners enterprise district of Pound Ridge. For extra data, go to www.thekitchentablepr.com or name (914) 764-3773.