April 27, 2016
Himuti's Legacy Will Live On
M943 Himuti - In Memoriam
Himuti is gone.
We knew the day was coming. He’d already outlived expectations following a cancer diagnosis nearly 16 months ago. With few exceptions, he lived his last months with wolfish vitality.
Himuti’s name in the Hopi language means “proud of oneself,” but he wasn’t arrogant. Rather he was born with a mighty and agreeable self-confidence.
While he never fathered pups and was not released to the wild, his casual confidence allowed him to make a huge contribution to the survival of his species. He was an instructor. He taught us about wolves.
Over the 8 years Himuti lived at Southwest Wildlife, hundreds and hundreds of people saw an endangered Mexican wolf for the first time. His curiosity often brought him up to observe people. And many of those people connected with this special wolf. Himuti’s presence made a wolf into a living, breathing, handsome individual – not the frightening animal from childhood fairy tales.
We shared wolf biology, while people observed his grace, coloring, size, and were drawn in by his eyes.
Through Himuti people learned of the tragic demise of wolves in our country, the challenges of recovering a nearly extinct species, and the controversial reintroduction of a large predator into a landscape altered by humans.
People listened to the history of his Mexican wolf family and were moved by the epic love story of his parents.
If, as Nelson Mandela said, “ultimately conservation is about people,” then Himuti’s connection with people linked them to his species in a powerful way. He moved people to learn and to think about wolves. He moved them to share his story and to stand up and speak out for their conservation.
That’s a remarkable legacy for one wolf.
Thank you Himuti. It was such a privilege to be your student.
Himuti's Legacy Will Live On Thanks To Scientific Advancements
More than 20 years ago the Mexican Wolf Species Survival Plan (SSP) created a gamete bank for the preservation of eggs and sperm of Mexican wolves. They recognized the importance of saving genetic material for possible future use as advances are made in reproductive physiology. Each preserved egg or sperm allows the potential continued genetic contribution from that wolf after its natural death. Southwest Wildlife participated in this program and, while in our care, Himuti contributed to the bank. So, it's possible that one day he will father puppies and we will see those beautiful golden eyes in future generations of Mexican gray wolves.
The story of Himuti's parents, Picaron and Tanamara:
Himuti's self assurance was nurtured by his parents’ close bond.
His mother was Tanamara (F547) and his father Picaron (M520). Theirs was a genuine love story.
The Endangered Wolf Center, where his parents lived, and where Himuti was born, tells this story:
“Tanamara was eventually paired with Picaron, her true lifelong companion, whose deep, baritone howl stood out from the moment he arrived. Their chemistry was instant, and over their years together, the couple substantially contributed to the survival of their species, delivering three litters of pups. In 2009, Tanamara passed away. When she died, Picaron howled for so long and so often that he permanently damaged his vocal cords. His life, and his magnificent howl, were never the same without her.”
Faithful Picaron passed away in early 2012. The story ends with imagining the two wolves happily reunited.
Thank you for helping us to celebrate Himuti's life and working to preserve the Mexican gray wolf.
Donate: www.southwestwildlife.org
Wildlife Clinic/Emergencies: (480) 471-9109 | Wildlife Education/Tours: (480) 471-3621
Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center | PMB 115 | 8711 E. Pinnacle Peak Rd. | Scottsdale, AZ 85255 | 480-471-9109.
