https://i1.wp.com/weloveanimals.me/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/romeo1.jpg?resize=300%2C158Despite their incredible beauty and their obvious similarities with our considerably tamer canine companions, everyone knows not to play with wolves. So when wildlife photographer Nick Jans and his Labrador encountered a wild wolf behind their home, adrenaline started pumping through them both.
When the wolf approached the Labrador, Nick could only stand helplessly by and watch. But what he didn’t know then, on that cold winter day of 2003 was that that encounter was the beginning of a relationship that defied all logic – and fundamentally transformed an entire community.During the winter of 2003, a jet-black wolf showed up on the edge of suburban Juneau, Alaska. But this wolf didn’t bear his teeth and growl aggressively. Instead, it seemed to long for companionship. Wildlife photographer Nick Jans was on his back porch when he saw the wolf for the first time. Despite the danger, Nick’s Labrador went to meet the visitor.
https://i1.wp.com/weloveanimals.me/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/af211.jpg?resize=300%2C216 300w, https://i1.wp.com/weloveanimals.me/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/af211.jpg?resize=585%2C420 585w" alt="af211" width="600" height="431"> National Geographic Nick, who had photographed and tracked wolves for years, immediately knew that the wolf was wild. So he was shocked when his Labrador suddenly started to play with him. He hurriedly grabbed his camera, and began to capture the unexpected moment.
https://i2.wp.com/weloveanimals.me/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/a1c1c.jpg?resize=300%2C202 300w" alt="a1c1c" width="600" height="404"> National Geographic After a while, the wolf returned into the wilderness, but it wasn’t long before he returned. The wolf would come to Nick’s house to greet him often and sometimes it even followed Nick when the photographer went skiing. And the wolf was always gentle, says Nick.
“This wolf was downright relaxed and tolerant from the start, as if he had dropped out of the sky like a unicorn,” the photographer told National Geographic .
https://i1.wp.com/weloveanimals.me/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/romeo9.jpg?resize=200%2C300 200w, https://i1.wp.com/weloveanimals.me/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/romeo9.jpg?resize=280%2C420 280w" alt="romeo9" width="600" height="900"> National Geographic. Years passed and Nick spent much time documenting the wolf. He eventually named the wolf Romeo. At first, m any of the small town’s residents didn’t trust Romeo, but they soon realized that he was a wolf unlike any other.
https://i1.wp.com/weloveanimals.me/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/imgur111.jpg?resize=300%2C225 300w, https://i1.wp.com/weloveanimals.me/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/imgur111.jpg?resize=80%2C60 80w, https://i1.wp.com/weloveanimals.me/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/imgur111.jpg?resize=265%2C198 265w, https://i1.wp.com/weloveanimals.me/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/imgur111.jpg?resize=560%2C420 560w" alt="imgur111" width="600" height="450"> National Geographic. Romeo soon became known by everyone in the area. P eople took their dogs to Mendenhall Glacier Park so their dogs could meet Romeo. There were never any serious incidents.
https://i0.wp.com/weloveanimals.me/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/av1.jpg?resize=300%2C242 300w, https://i0.wp.com/weloveanimals.me/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/av1.jpg?resize=521%2C420 521w" alt="av1" width="600" height="484"> National Geographic. Not only did Romeo make plenty of dog friends in and around Juneau, he even sometimes interacted and played with humans.
“The wolf would bring out toys that he’d stashed. One was a Styrofoam float. Romeo would pick it up and bring it to [my friend] Harry to throw. He clearly understood the same sort of behaviors that we see in dogs,” Nick said.
https://i2.wp.com/weloveanimals.me/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/romeo8.jpg?resize=300%2C194 300w" alt="romeo8" width="600" height="387"> National Geographic. “The amazing thing was Romeo’s understanding. It wasn’t just our understanding and tolerance. It was the combination of his and ours and the dogs. We were these three species working out how to get along harmoniously. And we did, ” said Nick.
https://i1.wp.com/weloveanimals.me/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/handlade1.jpg?resize=274%2C300 274w, https://i1.wp.com/weloveanimals.me/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/handlade1.jpg?resize=384%2C420 384w" alt="handlade1" width="600" height="657"> National Geographic. Romeo lived on the outskirts of Juneau for six years. He became an ambassador for nature and a powerful symbol for the entire community.
https://i1.wp.com/weloveanimals.me/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/a1a2.jpg?resize=300%2C215 300w, https://i1.wp.com/weloveanimals.me/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/a1a2.jpg?resize=586%2C420 586w" alt="a1a2" width="600" height="430"> National Geographic. “He was a pure wild wolf. He was not a pet, as some suggested, that had been released, because then he would have been coming to us for food. He was his own gatekeeper and came and went as he pleased. Sometimes he disappeared for weeks. He clearly was catching and eating wild food with great skill, ” explained Nick.
https://i1.wp.com/weloveanimals.me/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/larkey1.jpg?resize=300%2C221 300w, https://i1.wp.com/weloveanimals.me/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/larkey1.jpg?resize=80%2C60 80w, https://i1.wp.com/weloveanimals.me/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/larkey1.jpg?resize=571%2C420 571w" alt="larkey1" width="600" height="441"> National Geographic. After six years, Romeo’s time in the community ended. He passed away in 2010, but residents will never forget how he transformed the village.
“The average life span of a wolf in the wild is three years. Romeo was already full grown when he showed up, and then he lived among us for six-plus more years. So he was at least eight years old at the time of his death,” Nick says.
https://i0.wp.com/weloveanimals.me/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/romeo1-1.jpg?resize=300%2C200 300w" alt="romeo1-1" width="600" height="400"> National Geographic. Shortly after Romeo passed away, the city of Juneau commemorated the wolf, creating a special plaque to honor him. The plaque is installed by the lake he used to frequent. What a beautiful touch!
https://i0.wp.com/weloveanimals.me/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/wolfe1.jpg?resize=300%2C222 300w, https://i0.wp.com/weloveanimals.me/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/wolfe1.jpg?resize=80%2C60 80w, https://i0.wp.com/weloveanimals.me/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/wolfe1.jpg?resize=569%2C420 569w" alt="wolfe1" width="600" height="443"> National Geographic. That three such different species were able to live alongside peacefully and in complete harmony is so inspiring. It really shows you how wonderful the world and nature can be!
Please share this amazing story with your friends to honor Romeo’s memory.
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http://weloveanimals.me/unexpected-friendship-wolf-transformed-whole-town/
Credit to Buzz for finding this amazing story.
Do the photos show up? They don't for me but that's not unusual.
Yes Buzz the photos show for me.
Tried again, and now I can see them.
I'm not seeing them either. That is odd
They are still showing for me...That is strange.
I added a link at the bottom of the article...See if that works, the photos are amazing.
I think I got the pics up. The issue is that they are from NG and they usually try to block their pics from being transferred.
Thanks
What a great story, we see so many bad stories of wolves, good to see one that wasn't.
Where I grew up we had the largest population of wolves in the lower 48, Spike....in fact sometime in the evenings and night we could hear them howl.
On occasion I would get a fleeting look at them when I was checking my trap lines.
To me, they are one of the most beautiful and fascinating animals.
We have been seeing a resurgence of the Coyote population here and there are pics and stories of wolves back in the Adirondacks.
If the reports of wolves are true, they will keep the coyote population down for sure.
I have read somewhere, that black wolves are often shunned by the pack, because of their color. It sounds as if that is true-- because this fellow Romeo seemed so lonely, he would go outside his pack for friendship.
What a wonderful story! Thank you for it!
I've heard that as well Dowser. I think that it's a myth since I've seen many black wolves in wolf packs.
Glad to know the truth of the matter!!!
I think the black ones are unusually beautiful!