Nearly a year after the raid, 20 animals remain at Kroschel’s wildlife facility
- Chilkat Valley News
- 15 hours ago
- 3 min read
State says efforts to retrieve them will resume, likely in April
By Rashah McChesney
Chilkat Valley News
Ten months after the state raided a Chilkat Valley wildlife facility, and owner Steve Kroschel left for Russia, the fate of some 20 animals left behind by state troopers and wildlife regulators has still not been resolved.
The animals are part of a long-running dispute between the state and Kroschel over how he managed the dozens of animals that used to live at the Kroschel Films Wildlife Center.
Retired wildlife trooper Patrick McMullen has been caring for the animals in the absence of Kroschel and the state. Previously McMullen cared almost exclusively for the facility’s three wolves.
Now, he’s responsible for all of the animals left behind. It’s difficult to verify the exact number of animals that were in the facility from any one source, but Kroschel and state staff now agree there are about 20 animals left behind. Fish and Game previously reported ermine, arctic fox, martens, minks, and a snowy owl are still at the facility.
McMullen did not return a phone call seeking more information and texted that he didn’t have any interest in talking. But he followed by saying he feeds and waters the remaining animals every day.
“[Fish and Game] has been totally fine. And supportive,” he wrote. “Obviously it’s a difficult situation. There is a lot of snow at the park. It will be resolved soon.”
Kroschel, who said he is currently living somewhere near Yekaterinburg, Russia, said he texts McMullen from time to time to “see how he is doing.” “[He] does not tell me much.”
Kroschel’s son, who did not respond to a phone call seeking more information, is also on the property but Steve Kroschel said he is often not there.
“I am worried about vandalism, among other things,” he said.
Fish and Game wildlife division director Ryan Scott, said he was not able to share a lot of detailed information due to the pending court case against Kroschel, but that Fish and Game staff had been in contact with McMullen.
“We’ve had conversations about food, water, and electricity, things like that,” he said. “We’re keeping tabs on what’s going on via phone call and email. [McMullen] has been responsive.”
He said the state intends to go back in and capture some remaining animals and place them in other facilities.
His office asked for his help retrieving the animals from the property on Oct. 7.
“It just hasn’t worked out,” Scott said. “And then winter showed up in a big way. There’s some concerns. We want to do it right and we want to do it safely for the animals.”
Scott said he assumed Kroschel was paying for supplies for the remaining animals. He said Fish and Game has offered to assist with food and supplies but has not started doing that.
“I think it’s important that people know, we didn’t just walk away. We’re still here. We’ve been keeping tabs,” he said.
Kroschel said McMullen has been scraping up enough money to feed and care for the animals on his own.
“I ask him and he somehow finds a way,” Kroschel said.
Kroschel is facing three felony and two misdemeanor cruelty to animal charges.
During his last hearing in the case on Jan. 22, Kroschel’s counsel withdrew and he is now representing himself. But there was some disagreement over how he’d be communicating with state prosecutors about the case given that there is an active warrant out for his arrest.
Kroschel said he is applying for asylum in Russia, though he said his understanding is that his passport will be taken away for about a year if it gets granted. Then, he’ll be free to return to the U.S.
• This story originally appeared in the Chilkat Valley News.
