Loth-wolf

"It has a deep connection to the Force, to the energy of this planet." "Don't all living things?''" "''This is different. More focused, like it has a purpose."

- Kanan Jarrus describes to Ezra Bridger what he sensed from a Loth-wolf

Loth-wolves were canine predators native to the planet Lothal. By the Imperial Era, Loth-wolves were widely believed to be extinct. Loth-wolves had a special connection to the Force and the planet Lothal. In 1 BBY, members of the Spectres rebel cell encountered Loth-wolves while undertaking an undercover mission on the planet for the Alliance to Restore the Republic.

Biology and appearance
Loth-wolves were a canine species native to the planet Lothal. They concerned many of Lothal's early settlers, and farmers were known to carry blasters to protect themselves from Loth-wolves. They were depicted in cave paintings made by the ancient people of the planet, and were named in a Lothalian children's rhyme. Loth-wolves were sentient, and also capable of speaking Galactic Basic, although they did not speak often. They were strongly connected to the Force of Lothal, making them capable of remarkable feats. Loth-wolves were large creatures, although one, Dume, was abnormally large even by the standards of his species.

History
By the Imperial Era, Loth-wolves were widely thought to be extinct as they had not been seen for over a hundred years. In 1 BBY, Ezra Bridger encountered one on a scouting mission in the fields of Lothal. Having a special connection to the Force, they could sense that Lothal was in danger from the Galactic Empire. The wolf later assisted Bridger and Sabine Wren in escaping from Imperial forces. It put Wren to sleep merely by saying the word and vanished when the other Spectres were near. Later, the white wolf, along with two other wolves, transported Bridger, Wren and three of their rebel comrades from a wolf den in the northern hemisphere to a cliff dwelling in the southern hemisphere, using a means reminiscent of hyperspace travel and seemingly being able to enter the world between worlds, as indicated by the wolves ability to walk through space. The wolf took a strong interest in Kanan Jarrus, whom he referred to by his birth name, "Dume". The white wolf, along with the two black wolves, stopped Jarrus from returning to Lothal City to rescue Hera Syndulla, and gave him a message.

Behind the scenes
In an interview at a FanExpo panel, Star Wars Rebels creator Dave Filoni compared the loth-wolf with the Bendu, neither good nor bad in terms of the Force. He included the wolf because of his love of the creature, but also because of the cultural perception of wolves as guides. He further stated that the loth-wolf is a natural element of the Force on Lothal.

In Servants of the Empire: Edge of the Galaxy, Beck Ollet states to Zare Leonis that prior to the time of the Galactic Empire, one would still carry a blaster to ward off loth-wolves when planting the orchards for jogan fruit. Author Jason Fry stated that Ollet was most likely talking about the time of his parents or grandparents, but liked the line to give Lothal history. This information, however, would seem contradictory to the idea that loth-wolves had not been seen in 100 years and were considered extinct, as certainly by the time of Ollet's parents even the most wary farmer would be unlikely to carry a blaster to ward off a predator which had been for so long believed extinct. It is likely, however, that Fry wrote the line before the exact details of the last appearance of loth-wolves on Lothal was determined.

Appearances

 * Servants of the Empire: Edge of the Galaxy
 * Servants of the Empire: Rebel in the Ranks
 * Ezra's Duel with Danger
 * Servants of the Empire: Rebel in the Ranks
 * Ezra's Duel with Danger