Filed under: Biking the Iditarod
Romeo, February 2007
AnonymousSnow cyclist Jill Homer is training to bike 350 miles in February's human-powered Iditarod. Along the way, she's meeting some interesting critters. Homer sends this photo evidence.
UPDATE: Meet the Friends of Romeo.
8:39 AM ET | 01-22-2008 | permalink
What an amazingly sad story. I can't believe (well I can) that someone would intentionally kill off wolves in this day and age. Just disgusting really. Not to anthropomorphize Romeo, but it does sound like, from Miss Homers account, that he is looking for a pack.
Is there a fund to buy Romeo a Juliette? I'll contribute. Nothing should be alone and apart from it's others.
i agree that Romeo seems to want and need a pack, or at least a mate. We should take this loss of the natural order seriously and since man disturbed nature, man should rectify the damage done. i too would support an introduction of a mate before its too late.
Count me in too! I would gladly donate to a fund to find Romeo a mate or a pack. Every creature needs to feel like they belong. I know that my dog enjoys being a part of the pack at our house and knowing that canines are pack animals, I am sure Romeo would appreciate some assistance. We just need to make sure we don't make the situation worse by insinuating ourselves too much. Please let your listeners know how we can help. Thanks for bringing us interesting stories like this day after day. The BPP has become a habit I look forward to every day.
I would like to contribute as well. Or if Romeo could be relocated to perhaps join another pack? Is that possible?
More human intervention is probably not in Romeo's best interest. Trying to create new pack near the city may result in more dead wolves at the hands of humans. Relocating Romeo is risky too, as another pack may kill him. He seems to be doing fine on his own, give or take the odd Pomeranian. Let him live his life.
I would like to help Romeo either find a mate or a pack. Isolation makes even Humans do desperate things......
I read a whole lot of projecting personal emotions on to Romeo here. That's not the way to understand what the animal truly needs, be cautious!
First off, wolves don't just mate with any other wolf. You couldn't just mail-order the guy a bride. Wolves can be as fussy as humans in who they mate with. So buying him a mate is not realistic given the biology of wolves, and doesn't take into account the animal's needs.
There's a lot in the story that's reported as town legend, and that makes it difficult to tell what the real story is. If this wolf is over five years of age, and he's a black phase timber wolf, he'd be turning grayish by now. With all the doggie behavior, is anyone sure this is not a wolf-dog hybrid? Wolves, unless very omega are notoriously skittish around humans. Wolf-dogs are far less afraid.
There's also a chance that he's a loner from another pack. Wolves can travel hundreds of miles to leave or find a group. He's free to find another pack, which he doesn't seem to be choosing to do.
What I'm saying is, there's a lot we don't know about this situation and this animal. I wouldn't suggest funding anything without a lot more understanding. Tom is right, leave him free to make his own animal choices.
Romeo is da man!
Romeo sounds like he is real charmer and I feel sorry for any human or animal who is forced to live a lone life unless nature intended it to be that way but..
The questions seem to arise as to who Romeo really is and why is he existing where he is if he is truly lonely.
It sounds like this might be a good project for some biologists to look into to determine his genetic make-up, and if this is a unique or normal behaviour for this type of animal who is now living in a more densely populated area.
Based on what is happening all over the country now with humans and animals being forced to coexists like never before here, and the fact that Bush Administration is currently giving the ok to slaughter hundreds of grey wolfs in Idaho and Wyoming even though they are still on the Endangered Species Act, it might be wise for us to look at this story of Romeo and his life to see if we can find better answers to the complicated issue of man vs. animal.
Let's put our monies to not just help Romeo but maybe help those who did kill off the pack to better cope with and understand these animals so that coexistance can occur with less resentment.
Are we sure that Romeo is a male? Could it be a she? Did she try to run off with the pug because she thought it was a pup?
The commentary I believe can misrepresent wolves as a species. They can "seem" like a big dog, where do you think dogs evolved from? Whether this lone wolf took these dogs as prey or pup, it is the fact that they, as a species, will adapt and evolve if necessary. Humans are moving into their territory along with our pets and children. How do wolves know what is "right and wrong" in our eyes? They are just trying to survive in this world that is constantly changing. Can we ever co-exist and put our ego's aside?
Wolves are pack oriented creatures and with a highly developed social hierarchy. In destroying the members of Romeo's pack, humans have detrimentally altered the ecosystem in this area. Is there not a way to reintroduce more wolves into the area? I would be willing to help in any way that I can. Thank you.
Romeo is a male Alexander Archipelago wolf, approximately 5 1/2 to 6 years old. I've known him well for 5 of those years. It is thought that he and his (dead) mate were the sole survivors of a pack that had been locally trapped. His mate was subsequently killed after being hit by a cab while pregnant with four almost born pups. Wolves often only have one mate in their lifetime. Solitary wolves are rarely accepted into a strange pack, but sometimes, several strays will band together for companionship.
While rarely seen in the summer, Romeo does live in the Mendenhall Valley area year round... he???s just much more visible in the winter. His name was derived from his friendly disposition, and his well-known love for playing with dogs.
Though rumors have circulated, there is no evidence that any dog has ever been injured by Romeo. The pug shown being carried in the picture was owned by the daughter of [a local man]. He had brought the pug and two other dogs into the Mendenhall Lake area hoping to attract Romeo so he that could photograph him. The photographs in question are his... taken by a very fast and expensive Canon camera. In truth, Romeo picked up the pug in his mouth, carried him for about a 1 1/2 seconds, and then dropped him completely unharmed. The pug flipped to his feet and Romeo traveled about another 10 feet and stopped... end of story. [The man] (minus the pug) was out doing the very same thing the next day with the other two dogs. [He] later submitted these pictures to the Juneau Empire (anonymously) and to the Anchorage Daily News (where he was credited).
Romeo is a true wild wolf, and should be respected as such... but in reality, is far better mannered than many of our local dogs. Over the years, his presence has captivated hundreds of visitors and local Juneau residents. Concerned about his well-being, local Romeo supporters have formed a group called ???Friend???s of Romeo??? that look out for his interests and publish up-to-date news concerning his activities. Interested parties that supply an e-mail address can receive a free copy of their latest bulletin.
If anybody has any questions concerning Romeo, I???d be happy to answer them to the best of my ability...
Will he ever join a pack again? He is so beautiful and healthy judging from the photos. People who kill wolves should be punished severely. We could all learn something from wolves. They are loyal and trusting. The Bush administration is planning on slaughtering hundreds of these beautiful animals just as they were making a comeback after the last almost extinction caused by humans. Please consider giving them a voice and telling the members of the dept of interior to stop the slaughtering in the US. Several organizations are CAMPAIGNING TO HELP, among them NRDC and DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE. Consider giving Romeo and his buddies a chance.
This is a fascinating story. I hope that Romeo will continue to roam the Mendenhall Valley for many years to come.
Animal behaviorists say that the "play" behaviors exhibited by canines serve to establish and reinforce the social hierarchy. Those of us who know and love dogs can attest that, sometimes, these actions arise from a genuine inclination to have fun. Perhaps this is all Romeo wants from the local dogs.
Ths is a fascinating story. As Ranger Griffin said, Romeo must remain a wild animal in order for him to survive. People should not anthropomorphise and inject their own emotional responses into Romeo's story. While it is entirely possible that he does just want to play with the local dogs, those who invite and reinforce such behavior are likely only hastening Romeo's demise.
I agree that this situation deserves more "looking into"...what is Romeo, who is killing wolves...ect???
I too would contribut to find the answers.
Romeo is wild and free and should not have people feeling pity and throwing him scraps.Give the wolf the credit he deserves,and respect. I was under the impression that the taxidermied wolf in the Mendenhall Visitors Center was his mate,that was struck by the car. True or false? I would like to receive the bulletin Harry speaks of in the above message.The only help Romeo needs is for us to allow him to be independant.
Romeo doesn't need a mate -- he needs an agent! Once this story goes viral on the internet, he'll have a book deal and his own show on Animal Planet . . . and if the writer's strike continues, his own reality series on NBC, probably in some cushy spot like Wednesdays at 8:00pm before the two Law and Orders!
Thank you Harry R. you're assement of this situation is right on.....
I have a wolf-Hybrid Everything you say is the truth. I think Romeo is a wolf hybrid...from all indications.
I have a wolf-hybrid dog...Romeo wants closure to his killed mate....and wants to make friends wherever he can.
He wants to make friends and...... we don't know......he looks like a Hybrid....Nost BlackPhase wolves turn silver at his age....He has not.
This gives me a very good agreement with Harry R.
Please support defenders of wildlife and especially the Wolf Fund.
Rodd Poquadeck
Canton, MI
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