Photo: A Wolverine (probably male Rainer) at Northwest Trek climbs over fallen trees from November’s deadly cyclone bomb that passed through western Washington state.

This past weekend was our second field trip for Listening to Zoo Animal Ambassadors, and we visited the Ambassador animals at Northwest Trek in Eatonville, Wash. It was a rich day, filled with many incredible animal encounters as we collected their prayers in ceremony.

Rather than tell those stories, I want to focus on the massive amount of damage at Northwest Trek done by the bomb cyclone that tore through western Washington in November 2024. I have visited there many times over the years, and it was obvious how many huge trees were lost and structures damaged by the intense winds on top of heavy rainfall the weeks before. Thankfully, no animals or people were harmed, but many of the animal habitats suffered damage, and the bridge to the bear area is closed due to one end being entirely missing. Staff were unsure when it might be repaired, I imagine cost is a huge factor (make a donation to NW Trek).

We were unable to connect face-to-face with the wolves because their area was especially hard hit. A sign informed us that they were in their off-exhibit area for the meantime. We were able to collect their prayers from afar.

The wolf enclosure was filled with fallen trees, fences were down, the viewing area structure had a massive dent in the metal roof, and a corner of it was crushed and crumpled beyond any simple repair.

The bomb cyclone, Hurricane Helene in North Carolina, Hurricane Milton in Florida, and the ongoing tragic wildfires in California, and more are all symptoms that climate change is not only happening, but accelerating. Besides the loss of life and homes for people and animals due to storms, fire, drought, and flood, the warming and unstable climate means animals must adapt or migrate northward, and many cannot. Wolverines and other far North animals may eventually have nowhere cold enough to live.

Mountain Lion Windwalker enlisted me in 2011 to do my best to share his message and that of the Wayras (Weather/Wind People) in Windwalker’s Message for the World. Windwalker, the Wayras, and the animals still believe that we (the People), can work together to restore balance, and they are still willing to connect with us to achieve that.

My classes/events have always that underlying focus, but Bones, Stones, Feathers and Fur (and now The Monthly Shaman) were created by All Our Relations and Spirit to help the People and the Animals reconnect.

Each of us has a part to play in these challenging times. Peruvian shamanic altomesayoc and elder Don Manuel Quispe said that we each had stood in line to be born at this time. Now is our time to stand up, speak out, and take action (spiritually and physically). All Our Relations and future generations are depending on us.

Together we are strong. Together we can heal ourselves and this world.

Blessings,
Rose De Dan, Night Sky, Tamerlan, and foster cats Noctua, and Sadiya

P.S. Last month’s Shamanic Energy Bootcamp for Challenging Times: Activate Your Energy Body for Total Badassery is now available as video with pdf transcript and exercise handouts.

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Want to learn how to connect more deeply with animals, restore balance to your life, increase intuitive skills, and help heal the Earth? Take a look at my live Reiki and shamanic virtual classes, available worldwide.

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A WILD WAY TO HEAL
Rose De Dan, Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLC is an animal communicator, Reiki Master Teacher, shamanic energy healer, and author of Tails of a Healer: Animals, Reiki and Shamanism and Out of the Darkness and Other Animal Tails. Her classes, sessions, and ceremonial work are inspired by wild and domestic animals who have issued a call to action for personal and global healing.