Saudi family shares home with wolves
Last updated on: 23 January,2020 05:15 pm
Adeem, one of the domesticated Arabian wolves living with the Saudi family.
AL JOUF (Reuters) - For the Sarhani family, petting a wolf is not just a scene in make believe films; it is part of their daily life as they live side by side with the wild animals.
Adeem, one of the domesticated Arabian wolves living with the Saudi family, seemed calm and unconcerned as his owner Rami Al Sarhani’s two small children pet him, combed his fur and even gave him kisses.
The children, 4 and 7, were equally comfortable with the wolves whom they share a home with in Al Jouf, north of Saudi Arabia.
"We are used to them and they are used to us. As you can see, even my children are not scared of them (the wolves) at all ... We do not face any dangers because we understand them well," said 37-year-old Rami Al Sarhani, who works in the financial sector.
Wolves have lived with the Sarhani family for the past 11 years, developing over time a strong relationship with its members.
Visitors, who are often at first glance shocked by the presence of wolves in Sarhani’s home, mostly eventually warm up to the animals whose diet prevents them from craving raw meat.
"When you feed the wolves, you quench their hunger and avoid them raging at or eating you. This is the main reason I feed them cooked food, without blood, to not trigger their instinct. That is how I am not worried about the safety of my children and family. Nothing bothers them," Sarhani said.
The wolves become very aggressive during their mating season (January to March) and so are kept isolated to avoid harm to the family, Sarhani explained.