Osa

Osa was born to Erin and Chetan at Wolf Park in Battle Ground, Indiana in 2005. Along with her sister Nina, both came to Wolf Hollow at two weeks old for socialization. After three years of living in the main enclosure, Osa and Nina were not getting along. After several arguments, followed by a serious silent fight, it was evident the girls needed to be separated. Not only was Osa more wary and shy of strangers, but she also stayed toward the back of the enclosure during lectures, making it difficult for the public to see her. For her own comfort and well-being Osa was moved to an auxiliary enclosure with more privacy.

Though receiving lots of human attention, Osa craved companionship of her own kind, as luck would have it, a few weeks later we were contacted about a three month old wolf-dog hybrid being kept illegally in Massachusetts. Bear came to Wolf Hollow (saving him from euthanasia) to be Osa's companion. Osa's natural shyness was contrasted by Bear's natural charisma and willingness to interact with volunteers and the public . Bear helped Osa "come out of her shell"... Osa's physical appearance and shy nature was what many visitors described as “the perfect image of a wolf” and to those that worked with her, she was in fact the perfect wolf. Trusting few, to earn Osa's trust was a major accomplishment for our volunteer staff.

During the winter of 2013, we observed a different, much more outgoing side of Osa. Throughout the year, wolves tend to go through seasons when it comes to their sociability. Winter is breeding season and, for the first time, Osa became very friendly and affectionate. Not only would she readily approach people for attention, but she would also jump on their shoulders with lots of kisses as well. While always aloof, she seemed to overcome her natural shyness for the second half of her life.

With Bear's passing in August of 2020, Osa reverted to her shy nature and although she was happy and exuberant when interacting with those she knew well, she stuck to the hidden areas of her enclosure during public visits. While we try not to anthropomorphize animals, studies have shown (via serotonin analysis in urine) that canines do in fact feel emotional qualities of love, fear and loss. No amount of human interaction could replace Bear who had been her companion for twelve years.

At fifteen years of age we could not ask for more from a wolf (average wild lifespan 3-5 years) and we chose not to perform an autopsy. Osa is being cremated and her ashes will be mixed with Bear's for scattering on Wolf Hollow grounds. They will be together again and for eternity.

On a personal level, I was involved in picking up Osa from Wolf Park in 2005, (the last time I would see my mentor Dr. Erich Klinghammer) before a demanding twenty one hour drive back to Wolf Hollow along with a lifelong friend and my girlfriend at the time Heidi. Heidi was one of the few people that Osa trusted completely, and it was cathartic and fitting that Heidi (now my wife) and I were the ones to give Osa both her first and last ride together.

Every wolf's passing leaves a hole in us in different ways, Osa's passing signifies the last of the “old guard” and the fact we are all older (and hopefully wiser). We can take comfort in that Osa and Bear will be together again and that we gave her the best life possible over her fifteen plus years.

- Director Zee Soffron