In January of this year, in “2012 Wild Animal of the Year: Wolf OR-7,” I wrote about the wolf who traveled from Oregon to California — the first wolf in the California since 1924. On March 13, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife reported that OR-7 had returned to Oregon. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife provides a map of his activity since his return.
OR-7 has inspired people, including those in the arts, to help the cause of wolf protection and restoration. As I discussed in the original article, Oregon Wild held a naming and art contest. The winning name was Journey; the winning art entry appears here. In addition, documentary filmmaker Clemens Schenk is producing “OR7 – The Journey.”
As I noted in March, in “Songs of Wolves, Poems of Man,” Troy Camplin wrote a poem about OR-7, capturing his quest for another wolf “to journey on with Journey as a mate.”
In July, Teresa Hamilton released a video of Lee Rockwell’s heartfelt performance of a “Journey’s Lonesome Howl.” Ms. Rockwell and Ms. Hamilton wrote the lyrics, and Ms. Rockwell wrote the music. The photos of wolves are by Mark Perry of Galloimages Online, who is donating 15% of the sale of the images to Oregon Wild. People who appreciate wolves will find the video captivating. See the nice review by Beckie Elgin here.
Ms. Hamilton and Ms. Rockwell explain:
It is our fondest dream that this song enlighten people as to the current plight of our wolves, and find its way to protecting these keepers of Nature’s balance; who mate for life and when left alone in their native habitat, take only what they need to survive.
It is our heart’s desire to keep each and every one of these wondrous creatures free in their own natural habitat, safe from harm. And with your help we can make this happen.
New Children’s Book to Be Published
Writer and artist Hajra Meeks, of Redwood City, California, has created An Alphabet Journey. Ms. Meeks is seeking to raise $8,000 through Kickstarter to scan her illustrations and publish her book. She explains:
An Alphabet Journey is a children’s alphabet book about OR-7, the wolf known as ‘Journey,’ the first wolf back in California in 80 years. Children can follow Journey on his journey through parts of Oregon and California. Through his encounters with bears and highways, ranch fences and wildfires, he looks for a place to belong and be happy.
This is a book for kids and parents who love animals and the environment. This is also a book for anyone who has felt like an outsider but never stopped trying to find a place to belong. Finally, this is a book for underdogs, human and otherwise.
Ms. Meeks, in her charming video on Kickstarter, explains that she is an immigrant from Pakistan. She describes her empathy for OR-7, and her wish to help underdogs.
Ms. Meeks has written twelve updates on the project, and has provided a link to her interactive map of OR-7’s travel in 2012. In Update #11, she asks, “What is it about wolves that makes some of us dream anew about a free, noble, and fulfilled life?”
Wolves around the world are underdogs, since they are misunderstood and persecuted. I have pledged towards the project, in the interest of helping Ms. Meeks share OR-7’s story with children. Her book will encourage children to feel compassion toward wolves, other wildlife, and fellow humans.
I invite you to join me in supporting An Alphabet Journey. The deadline is Thursday, September 5, at 10:02 a.m. EDT. While support of a good cause is its own reward, tangible rewards are offered based on levels of funding.
Conclusion
As I wrote in my original article,
OR-7 has helped more people understand and appreciate wolves. He has served as a symbol of wolves everywhere, and an inspiration for continued efforts on their behalf.
By supporting the publication of An Alphabet Journey, we can advance these worthy efforts.
