Published 23:19 IST, April 30th 2019
Missing the GOT direwolves? Meet their real-life cousins wolf dogs 'Yuki and Mohan'
The dire wolf which belongs to the genus Canis is now an extinct species, but the closest known species are the wolfdogs which exist - Massive in form but gentle in nature like Yuki and Mohan.
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While Ghost may be the only dire wolf left that is visibly seen in the HBO-hit show Game of Thrones, their relatives thrive in the Shy Wolf Sanctuary in Naples, Florida.
The dire wolf which belongs to the genus Canis is now an extinct species, but the closest known species are the wolfdogs which exist - Massive in form but gentle in nature like Yuki and Mohan.
These two big dogs took the internet by storm when a female volunteer at the sanctuary posted a life-size photo in which Yuki at his full height of close to 6 feet dwarfed over the woman.
According to an international news agency Ruptly, Yuki is actually one of the highest-content wolfdogs at the sanctuary. DNA testing puts him at 87.5% Gray Wolf, 8.6% Siberian Husky and 3.9% German Shepherd and he when he stands on his two feet, he is 6 feet high.
Speaking to Ruptly, the founder of Shy Wolf Sanctuary, Nancy Smith explained, " You've got an animal that is a part dog and part wolf. So you'll see that conflict in them, the dog in them wants to come to the person, but the wolf in them corrects that behaviour."
She also gave an example of Mohan, another wolf dog saying, "But when it comes to Mohan, he has a very beautiful wolfy look very large and majestic looking, but he is got a dog's brain. So he just gravitates right to the first person that walks in."
According to the sanctuary, Mohan is 49.4% Gray Wolf, 31% German Shepherd, 13.7% Siberian Husky and 5.9% Alaskan Malamute. The Shy Wolf Sanctuary houses over 60 captive-bred or rescued animals including pure-blooded wolves, foxes, a fennec and even a lion.
Game of Thrones is currently in its final season which started on April 14.
Updated 23:29 IST, April 30th 2019