[Romeo's] name appeared in headlines around the world. Animal lovers everywhere wanted to hear about Juneau's resident black wolf, a creature that seemed to bridge the gap between humanity and the wild animal kingdom. He attracted crowds to his regular hangout near the Mendenhall Glacier for years until his unexplainable disappearance last September.
Naturalist Nick Jans (the article includes some of his photos) said his dogs were regular playmates for Romeo.
"He developed a huge crush on our female Lab, Dakotah, and that's how he got his name," Jans said. "He would hang around our back door and sometimes be waiting in our yard. My wife Sherrie said, 'There's that Romeo wolf again.' The name stuck."
Jans described Romeo's presumed death as a Shakespearean tragedy.
"I never expected that I'd end up having this incredible, ongoing wildlife encounter," Jans said. "... This animal is the most singular that I've ever met."
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