Remembering Zephyr: Beloved Wolf of The Wind

Gazing into his amber eyes, we howled together and as we howled, some wild, wanting part of me came alive. Zephyr and I bonded in those moments; at least I felt that way. A charismatic wolf, an Ambassador of his species, he made many people feel special.

Photo by the Wolf Conservation Center

I began teaching workshops and facilitating nature-connection retreats with the Wolf Conservation Center in 2014 when Zephyr was just 4 years old. Convinced that humans need to reconnect on an emotional level in order to care for Earth and other animals, I reintroduced people to healing plants under their feet while Zephyr moved people with his penetrating gaze, soulful voice, and joyful presence. Students and I gathered bitter leaves of mugwort — a wild medicine whose botanical name, Artemisia Vulgaris honors the Greek Goddess Artemis, protector, and defender of women, Earth, and wild creatures — as he howled through the spring, summer and fall.

Named for Zephyros, the Greek deity of spring and warm summer winds, Zephyr moved millions — in person and online — to act on behalf of his species. The Wolf Conservation Center wrote this: “His piercing amber stare and propensity for melodic howls forged a bond with a global audience that will never be broken, and never should be. Much as the wind is sometimes quiet, sometimes forceful, but always present, so too is Zephyr’s love.”

Beautiful and true. I am ever-grateful to have met, bonded, and ‘collaborated’ with such an incredible being.

Learn more about Zephyr and how you can help his species at NYWOLF.ORG. I’ll be there for a WOLVES AND WILD MEDICINE WORKSHOP on July 22nd. You’re invited to explore the plants, learn about wolves, and howl in honor of Zephyr.

Written by Sacred Warrior founder, Vanessa Chakour