Nevaeh

Nevaeh and her siblings (Arrow, Grendel, Argus, and Linnea) were born in April of 2011 to Loki and Loki Sioux at Wolf Creek Habitat in Indiana. In early May they made their journey to Massachusetts. At approximately two months of age, the five siblings were introduced to their adoptive wolf parents Weeble and Nina.

As a puppy, Nevaeh was easily the most “feisty” of the five siblings but soon learned what was tolerated and what was not by Weeble and Nina. With the passing of Weeble in 2013, Nina was left in charge of five juvenile wolves. While Nina allowed the boys to “figure it out” between them (with Grendel establishing himself as the dominant male) whenever the sisters would have what we call a “heated discussion” Nina would quickly break it up. When Nina passed in the spring of 2015, Nevaeh and her sister Linnea both vied for Nina's now vacant spot.

After a serious fight between the sisters, Linnea got her own space to avoid what would eventually lead to a serious injury to one of the sisters, Argus later joined her leaving Nevaeh, Grendel, and Arrow in the main enclosure. Nevaeh spent her later years with Grendel in an auxiliary enclosure, enjoying the privacy that it afforded, while Arrow was reunited with Argus and Linnea.

Over the years we have been the home for numerous wolves, each having their own distinct personality… One of the things that make interacting with them so interesting. As an adult, Nevaeh grew very aloof with humans, preferring her space and approaching only those whom she was completely comfortable with.

Despite her wariness of humans, she and Grendel were often engaged in games of “tag”, grooming practices, and bickering at feeding time. We often joked that while Grendel and Nevaeh were siblings they behaved more like a long-married human couple from a TV sitcom. For us humans, to even get one hand on her for scratches was an achievement and an honor.

Staff member Christine Ancker put it beautifully in that “Nevaeh was no one's girl… She was her own girl.” No truer statement could be expressed when it came to Nevaeh.

Visitors were often struck by Nevaeh's captivating stare as she assessed the “potential threat” of any visitor that approached her enclosure, and her shy but calculating nature was the very embodiment of one of the hallmarks of her species.

Over her ten-plus years, Nevaeh helped educate thousands of visitors about the importance of wolves and healthy ecosystems. Beyond teaching us about wolves, Nevaeh constantly reminded us of more universal qualities including patience and respect.

Nevaeh will be missed by so many humans and especially by Grendel. Thank you for being such a superb teacher and above all, “Your own girl.”

-Director Zee Soffron