Researcher faces backlash, considers closing page after puppy's death with wolf pack

Theodoros Komninos, a zoology doctoral candidate at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH), is contemplating shutting down his social media page dedicated to documenting a rare case of a puppy living with a wolf pack. This decision follows intense backlash from animal rights activists concerning the puppy's death.

Komninos announced that updates on his research would be suspended, citing what he described as "crude bullying from various 'animal lovers'" in response to recent developments. He pointed out that while reactions focused intensely on the puppy's fate, there was no mention of wolf pups that were lost during the same period. The page, titled "Golden Jackal Canis aureus and Wolf Canis lupus – in Greece," had been chronicling the unusual coexistence.

Following the backlash and what he termed "attacks," the page administrator announced a halt to all new updates, with the possibility of permanently closing the page. Komninos stated, "After the crude bullying we received from various 'animal lovers' about why we didn't save the puppy, without any mention of the lost wolf pups! We took down the post and will suspend any new updates regarding our research from now on. We will inform you soon whether we keep the page open or close it completely."

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crude bullying from various 'animal lovers' about why we didn't save the puppy, without any mention of the lost wolf pups!

Videos and posts related to the puppy's integration with the wolves and its subsequent death have been removed from the page. Earlier in July, it was reported that the puppy was living harmoniously with the pack, which provided it with water sources and food, and that the white puppy had fully integrated, playing with young wolf pups. Komninos had been monitoring the pack for research purposes and observed the puppy's "adoption" by the wolves approximately 40 days prior.

Komninos noted that six days before its death, the puppy appeared healthy and active. However, three days prior, it exhibited severe gastrointestinal distress, including diarrhea and lethargy. He suggested potential causes such as a parasitic infection, bacterial contamination, spoiled food, or stress from adapting to the wild environment. Without necessary examinations, the exact cause of death remains unknown. The puppy was isolated in a specific area and found deceased there the following day.

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We took down the post and will suspend any new updates regarding our research from now on. We will inform you soon whether we keep the page open or close it completely.