By AMBER PATINO
Seacrest Wolf Preserve has been denied a request to delay its court‑ordered eviction, leaving the facility nine days to relocate several wolves and other wildlife currently housed at its Washington County property.
Following a Thursday, March 5 hearing in which preserve officials requested more time to vacate the property, County Judge Colby Peel denied the preserve’s motion to stay the eviction. The decision was announced on Friday, March 6.
The ruling upholds Peel’s February 23 order requiring the preserve to vacate the property by March 15. The land was sold several years ago, and after a legal dispute with the new owner, the court found the preserve had not met the lease’s liability‑insurance requirements.
In a social media post on Friday, Seacrest Wolf Preserve said staff were “devastated” by the ruling but are working “around the clock” to secure placement for the animals. “Right now, our focus is entirely on the animals and making sure they end up in the best possible placements,” the update read. The organization noted that relocating the animals also involves moving enclosures, equipment, and other infrastructure.
The denial follows a Thursday update in which the preserve said it was also pursuing a federal case alleging violations of the Endangered Species Act, which protects North American gray wolves. The organization emphasized that its efforts to find long‑term solutions predate the current crisis and require extensive planning and resources.
With the deadline approaching, the preserve continues to appeal to the community for support as it works to relocate the wolves and other wildlife that have called the facility home. Staff said they will share additional updates as they are able.
Those wishing to donate to the preserve’s GoFundMe can do so through the preserve’s official Facebook page, or by following this link: https://gofund.me/158caf8d6.
Ali Moreland 
Staff Report
Hearing this news makes me so sad and worried that humanity is losing in this world. The politicians are so lacking in wanting to protect of our animals. I signed the petition and donated to Seacrest but I wish I could do more. I am seeing a trend. Watching this story and another in Arizona where the governor is having wild horses removed from the salt river herd to the point of less genetic diversity which will hurt the herd in the future. Seems the government just doesn’t care anymore, and wolves are always at the bottom of the list. I am praying that Seacrest finds places for all the wolves and none of them are euthanized. I hope they get their new place built and ready for the wolves to reunite again soon. I hope that is still the plan. I heard the landlord will not allow Seacrest to take the fencing. Not sure if that is true but it certainly is not right. I have a feeling that new golf course the landlord wants to build will not be profitable. Praying for a new Seacrest in the future. I will certainly make the trip to see them when they are ready to reopen.