Arrow

Male Wolf

Born on April 8, 2009 in Bear Country, SD
Arrived at Mission: Wolf on July 20, 2009

Passed Away November 8th, 2024

Lived with Zephir, Aria

Arrow’s Story

Arrow was a black phase male Gray wolf that was born in the spring of 2009 at a Wildlife Safari Park called Bear Country in South Dakota. He did not come alone; with him were seven other puppies—three litter mates and four Arctic wolf pups that grew up together in the same enclosure at the park. Due to the failing economy, the park had been unable to sell the pups and could no longer house them. A volunteer drove many miles for the transport, and the pups arrived at Mission: Wolf in a horse trailer.

Our lead Ambassador Magpie was just coming out of a false pregnancy and had no idea that she was to be a surrogate mom for eight big pups. She and her partner Abe eagerly took them in, but just as the pups started to settle into life, a virus hit and we lost Arrow’s two brothers and one of the Arctic wolf pups. Arrow slowed down a bit, but as one of the bigger pups, he shrugged off the virus and has grown to be one of the larger wolves living at the refuge. At eight months old, he already weighed 116 pounds!

For over a year, he was raised by Abe and Magpie as part of the Ambassador pack. He would sometimes cautiously approach visitors, but never actually allowed anyone to touch him. As he matured, he became a threat to Abe and was in need of his own pack. He and one of the Arctic wolves, Zephir, were moved into their own enclosure. The two of them were reticent around people but loved to peacefully overlook them. Zephir passed away peacefully from old age in the fall of 2022. Arrow was a little more reclusive after the loss of his partner.

In spring of 2023 we began introducing Arrow to Zephir’s brother, Aria. Previously Aria had lived with Arrow’s sister Hailey Star until she passed in 2020 from cancer. The two quietly got along together and spent their days peacefully watching over the sanctuary until Arrow passed of advanced age at 15 years old in Fall 2024.

Arrow was truly one of the wolfiest wolves to ever live at the refuge. His magnificent appearance, bold presence, independent spirit, and persistent skepticism of humans were the epitome of a wolf. Arrow lived a life on his terms, and helped to educate thousands of visitors about the true nature of wolves- elusive, intelligent, and entirely wild-spirited.
Howls of gratitude to Arrow- we hope he is running free alongside Zephir once more.