Begrüßung

 

I was born 1980 in Merzig (Germany). After a short time we left the village Besseringen and moved to Fremersdorf.

I had a quit normal childhood We went to the near forest to built up huts made out of wood and mud or we were playing on the streets.

It was a golden retriever who showed me how wonderful and friendly animals can be. He became a special friend when I was very young.

Then to my 13th Birthday, I got a special present. My neighbour gave me a postcard. It was voucher. “One afternoon with Werner Freund – The wolf men”

This sentence changed my life completely. I am working for free at the wolf park Werner Freund since 18 years. I can say with proud: “ I work more than half of my life in the park” 

Of course behaviour research was no topic at the beginning. But as time passed, it became more and more interesting to learn everything from an about the wolves.

There are several rules every pack has. But you must always be careful about each individual wolf.

It is not possible to talk about “the european wolf” or “the arctic wolf”. The individual wolf always surprises me again and again.

In the course of time I was able to raise up all wolves at the “Wolfpark Werner Freund”. It is a pleasure to get to know every wolf personally.

I got the possibility to learn things about these animals I never could imagine.

There are many situations, happenings and moments with the wolves I will never forget.

Little sleeps with the pack in the afternoon, howling to the full moon in the middle of the night together or being accepted by a fresh wolf mother who is raising up little wolf puppies.

The feeling you have in such moments can not be put into words. It is quite difficult even to describe these moments. But these memories are great. They are unique.

Nowadays I try to keep a part of this feeling by taking pictures of these wonderful animals. Even if a photography can not catch the deep of the togetherness, I always try to show how these animals really are.

Even today, wolves are underestimated. He is everywhere known as a brutal “beast”.

A wolf is a predator. That is right. Yes he has to hunt for food. But he is not bloodthirsty.
Wolves are high grade social animals. He never hunts for fun. He just hunts to survive.

If I am able to improve the reputation of the wolf with my pictures, I will be very happy.

Photography is my way to reach that target.

When I finished my traineeship in 2005 I started another study which I finished 2008 as a “state certified business economist”. I hope I translated it right. In Germany it is a “staatlich geprüfter Betriebswirt”.

Then one year later after another study I passed my examen at the Frankfurt school of Finance & Management. Now I am a “dipl. Bankbetriebswirt (FS)”.

But there were other wonderful animals I was able to meet…

Badger…

Racoon…

Pigs…

or porcupine.  There is no uninteresting animal. They are all special.

But I could never have imagine, to get such a affection to these animals.

Life is wonderful.

I love this sentence. And the more often I can say it, the better it is.

Many greetings.

Michael