Dirus (pronounced Deer-Us) was born in 2015 and came to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center in 2016.

Dirus’ name comes from a Game of Thrones character, Dire Wolf, whose fictional name is Canis Dirus. He is a gray Hudson Bay wolf and, along with our other male wolf, Lothario, comes from the Zoological Wildlife Conservation Center in Oregon. Dirus was born in captivity for the purpose of being an animal ambassador for his species and educating the public about his wild counterparts. He can often be found rolling in the grass or bathing in the sun.

GRAY WOLVES:

Dirus is a white phase Gray Hudson Bay wolf with ancestral roots which trace back to Ontario, Canada. Dirus will remain in a white phase, or as a white wolf, for his entire life. Hudson Bay wolves are sub-species of Gray wolves – very similar to the Arctic wolves of Alaska with slender bodies and long legs. Wolves are carnivores, and therefore moose, caribou, and deer make up a large part of their diet. As a pup, they can weigh as little as 1 pound, but full-grown wolves can weigh anywhere between 100 and 150 pounds.

We are deeply saddened to share that we lost Lothario the wolf on Sunday, April 26, during a procedure for his annual exam. He was surrounded by an experienced veterinary and animal care team who did everything they could for him. Saying goodbye to our “handsome man, Loth” is incredibly hard. He has been a beloved part of our family for many years, and his presence will be profoundly missed by both staff and visitors alike.

Lothario was born in 2015 and came to AWCC in 2016. A black phase wolf with a playful spirit, he was an incredible ambassador for his species. Many of you may remember him proudly carrying a toy or ball, howling at passing trains, or stretched out in the sun. He had a way of connecting people to wolves and inspiring a deeper appreciation for wildlife. We are so grateful for the time we had with him, and for the dedication of our veterinary and animal care teams who give their all to these animals every single day. Thank you for loving him alongside us.

As the animals in our care grow older, moments like this become an inevitable and deeply difficult part of what we do. While we never know how much time we will have with each individual, we are committed to giving them the highest level of care, comfort, and dignity throughout their lives.

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Bri, our 10-year-old gray wolf, following an acute onset illness. Bri arrived at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center in 2016 after being born at Triple D Game Farm, an accredited zoological facility in Montana. She came to AWCC with an important purpose—to help people better understand wolves and the vital role they play in Alaska’s ecosystems.

Named in reference to the Bering Strait Bridge, Bri quickly became a memorable presence for both guests and staff. She had a special connection with the animal care team and often participated in training for educational programs. Many visitors remember spotting her stretched out on the roof of the hut in her enclosure—one of her favorite napping spots—or watching her interact with the other wolves in the pack.

Bri was the half-sister of Deshka, who passed away one year ago. Both wolves were hand-raised by our Executive Director Howie and her dog, Remington, who helped with their early care and socialization. Remington also passed away a few months ago, making this loss especially heavy for those who knew them best.

Through the years, Bri helped thousands of visitors develop a deeper appreciation for wolves and Alaska’s wild places. Animals like Bri have a special way of creating connection—turning curiosity into understanding and understanding into care.

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Deshka, the grey wolf. Deshka had recently undergone a procedure and passed away due to complications from liver disease. The staff and the wolf pack are deeply feeling her loss, as she was a pivotal leader for our pack of four.

Deshka arrived in May 2015 as a young, 8-week-old pup. Our Director, Howie, recalls the joy she felt when she first saw Deshka, knowing that bringing wolves to the AWCC would allow us to teach visitors about them and also work with them one-on-one—a dream come true. Deshka arrived as a lone wolf, and soon after, a companion animal was brought in—our Director’s own dog, Remi, a Shepherd/Malamute mix. Remi and Deshka spent almost two years together before additional members joined the pack, forming the quad that included Bri (Deshka’s half-sister), Lothario, and Dirus.

Deshka was known as the “queen,” a nickname given to her by the keeper staff over the years. She truly enjoyed sitting high above, overseeing her kingdom. Often, she could be seen perched on her logs, watching the facility, visitors, and staff from above. As the leader of the pack, she would always observe situations—whether it was treat delivery, dinner shifts, or other activities—before deciding it was safe to join. Deshka had a love for all the smells around her, and it wasn’t uncommon to see her sporting her “fecal necklace” that only a wolf could love.

She will be deeply missed by all who knew her—both visitors and staff alike. Her pack is hanging in there, though they, too, are feeling the loss of Lady Deshka. As we’ve said before, goodbyes are always the hardest part of this job. All we can do is our best for the time they are here. We would love to hear your favorite memories and see your favorite photos of our sweet girl, Deshka-do. info@alaskawildlife.org