In wildness is the preservation of the world.
Henry David Thoreau
Eleven years is a long, long time for a wild wolf to live, so for the past year or so I’ve contemplated the loss of Journey and how it will feel to know that this iconic, larger than life figure is no longer trotting through the forests of Southern Oregon. Sadness is there, of course, but also a feeling of celebration, of lifting a glass of good wine to a life well-lived.
Journey survived for nearly a dozen years in a harsh and dangerous world. Several of these years were spent alone, subsisting on carrion or whatever game he could bring down by himself. When he first dispersed to lands not far from my home, I traveled to places he was reported to have been, hoping to see a track, hear a howl, or perhaps catch a glimpse of him. Maybe, just maybe, I spotted him one day, a grey, quick-moving canine, balancing the long hind leg of what looked like an elk in his mouth as he ran across an open field. I’ll never know if it was Journey or not, but I still see that image whenever he comes to mind.
When it was reported that OR-7 had finally found a mate I cheered for him. And then litters were reported, and news of other dispersing wolves following his trail into this region. There was a constant concern for his safety. Would he be poached? Would he be lethally removed for livestock depredation? Would bills be passed that would allow for trophy hunting of wolves, putting him at even higher risk than others of his kind because some would love to have the hide of this famous wolf on their wall? But none of these things happened. Journey survived, reproduced, and led the return of Canis lupus to Southern Oregon and Northern California. If he has passed, it appears it was not at the hands of humans.
Cheers, Journey, and thank you from all of us who deeply appreciate what you accomplished, as well as the noble spirit of wildness that you graced us with.
AMEN OR 7 ENJOY running free in your heaven
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Becky — Thank you for your amazing work writing about Journey and wolves in Oregon.. As a wild animal and nature lover, and also as your book publisher, I am doubly grateful. Journey lives on in his many offspring and in the minds of people who know his story. – Jeremy Solomon
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Thank you, Jeremy. Yes, Journey will certainly live on for many, many years to come. I hope our book (and it could not have happened without you) helps to preserve his memory and to help readers realize the immense value of wolves in our ecosystem.
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Journey’s freedom is alive in our hearts forever. He is our “spirit animal”!
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Thank you Beckie. I thought of you the other day when I read a report about Journey not being seen in this year’s wolf report. I got your lovely book out from my bookshelf and re-read much of it. I celebrated Journey along with Earth Day.
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Thank you, Jean. So glad you enjoyed the book. Earth Day is a perfect time to celebrate Journey, as he did so very much to contribute to the betterment of our planet.
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Hi Beckie we have not spoken in a while but I wanted to say hello and ask how you are doing? Thank you for the latest post on OR-7. The most famous wolf outside of Yellowstone for sure. This wolf changed American history. Take care. brett
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Thanks, Brett. Great to hear from you. OR-7 was amazing, and we are fortunate that his offspring are out there carrying on his legacy.
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