Alberta wildlife filmmaker Matt Paproski and his two wolf companions Timber, pictured, and Aurora will be in Thompson as guests of honour during AuroraFest 150 from Sept. 15-24.

Photograph By MATT PAPROSKI

Alberta wildlife filmmaker Matt Paproski and his two wolf companions Timber and Aurora will be in Thompson as guests of honour during AuroraFest 150 from Sept. 15-24, Spirit Way Inc. and Starland Studios announced Sept. 6.



A filmmaker who has produced shows such as Fire Attack with William Shatner and Cougar Crossings as well as the host of the Wildlife Wranglers TV series and founder of Starland Studios in Drumheller, Alberta, Paproski says he never would have predicted a few years ago that this would be in his future.



“Who would have thought wolves Timber and Aurora, rescued as pups from being trophies on a captive game hunting farm, would on their journey through life end up as global ambassadors for Thompson, Manitoba, the Wolf Capital of the World?” said Paproski in a press release. “Three years ago we became aware of the community-based group Spirit Way Inc. in Thompson, Manitoba with a bold plan to become the Wolf Capital of the World and are pleased they are now working with us. The wolves going to Thompson adds an epic dimension to our new Wildlife Wranglers film ‘How Will Wolves Survive?’ that has involved 10 hard years raising wolves. Our wolves will immensely enjoy exploring the new wolf habitat at the Boreal Discovery Centre, with its natural spaces and features that meet international standards.”



Spirit Way Inc. president Marion Morberg says Timber and Aurora will be one of the featured attractions during AurroraFest 150, which will include over 60 arts and culture events.



“This is a perfect time to have wolves appear in Thompson,” she said. “We are proud to present ‘Wolf Week’ in which Paproski and his crew will hold ‘Walk’n’Talk’ education tours with the wolves, a screening and workshops for the public. They will educate the public about their importance of this apex predator in the wilderness, its vital role in a balanced ecosystem and why wolves need not be feared or maligned.”



Morberg notes that Spirit Way Inc. has raised more than $1 million for various wolf-based initiatives, including the Robert Bateman wolf mural on Highland Towers and 49 wolf statues painted by artists and used in a Manitoba-wide GPS wolf hunt.



“Our focus now is to create a Wolf Centre of Excellence with a vision of best practices in all things wolf,” said Morberg. “Our organization is excited about the synergy created working with Matthew, who offers things that benefit our education and research programs. We are confident in his abilities as an entrepreneur, wildlife filmmaker and wrangler.”



Paproski previously visited Thompson and met with members of Spirit Way Inc. after first learning of the organization’s goal of making Thompson the wolf capital of the world in 2015.