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Atka, White Arctic Wolf At Westchester Conservation Center, Dies At 16

The staple at the Wolf Conservation Center in Northern Westchester died in his sleep over the weekend at 16 years old.

Atka was one of the Wolf Conservation Center's ambassadors.

Atka was one of the Wolf Conservation Center's ambassadors.

Photo Credit: Wolf Conservation Center
Atka

Atka

Photo Credit: Wolf Conservation Center

Surrounded by his family at the South Salem facility, Atka died quickly and painlessly overnight on Saturday, Sept. 22. Staff at the Wolf Conservation Center called Atka, “the most magnificent wolf we have ever known.”

According to staff members at the Wolf Conservation Center, “Atka is an Inuit name meaning guardian spirit, and his brilliant spirit lives on in those whose hearts he warmed, minds he opened, and souls he touched.”

“While Atka leaves a hole in our lives so big that words can’t describe it, his impact on wolf conservation persists and can not be overstated,” staff wrote in a post on Facebook. “He instilled compassion, understanding, and awareness to the hundreds of thousands of people he met over his storied career. We will be better and do better because Atka lived. He will empower us to continue the fight to safeguard the wild legacy he leaves behind.”

A memorial celebrating Atka’s life is expected to be announced later this week. 

Check back to Daily Voice for updates.

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