PATHS LESS TRAVELLED

Takaya, The Lone Wolf of the Islands,

a film you should not miss!

For those of you who may not know, there is a lone wolf, called Takaya now living on The Discovery - Chatham Islands, here on the edge of Oak Bay. What you might not know is that there has been a wonderful film that shows how this wolf has been able to survive on these islands for over 7 years now, despite the many challenges faced. To see this film (a widescreen T.V. is recommended) go to:

https://www.cbc.ca/natureofthings/features/victorias-lone-wolf-after-years-of-living-alone-he-may-have-a-potential-com

This film is produced to the high standards expected of the N.F.B. It features Cheryl Alexander, a professional conservation photographer who spent the better part of five years on these islands establishing a unique relationship with this wolf to be able to study and photograph him intimately. This film showcasing this relationship shows how this wolf has overcome most of his challenges, save two: finding a mate and a pack. But with luck, this may still change.

One of the few things, the film does not explain is the name “Takaya” or “Staqeya” as this wolf has been named by the Songhees native people. It is they who own much of this island territory, and for whom this lone wolf has a special and cherished significance. By a strange coincidence, Takaya arrived on these islands almost at the same time the Chief of the Songhees died. Belonging to the Wolf Clan, the Songhees believed that this wolf represented the Chief`s spiritual reincarnation. Thankfully, were it not for their intervention with B.C. Parks to protect this wolf, Takaya might not be with us today.

Another topic not discussed in this film is that these islands were once home to 30 or more feral sheep who were nearly as innovative as this wolf. They foraged everywhere among the islands and like our wolf were able to survive if not flourish despite the scarcity of freshwater during the summer months. Fortunately for the island, and unfortunately for the sheep they were all shot by the SPCA in the 1980s, supposedly to put them out of their “misery”, being diagnosed by this charitable institution as plagued by TB, and other ills. Had these sheep and their progeny been allowed to live out their lives, we can just imagine what a nice surprise this wolf would have found when he first swam to these islands in 2012, and how he might have licked his chops with the thought of easy lamb chops, with a baby seal as an appetizer for the rest of his life!

It is ironic that for the many years I have spent doing eco-tours to these islands by sailboat, canoe, and foot, very few of us were able to catch a glance of this elusive animal, much less hear its sad howl. My experience finally came late one night aboard our boat near this marine park. We were nearly asleep and all was still when we heard his long and mournful howl come from the dark forested hills surrounding. It was then when we knew this wolf was for real, and for sad.

But two years ago, after just retiring from my Eco-tourism business, and enjoying a late breakfast aboard our sailboat anchored between Big and Little Chatham Islands, my partner Sue and I finally lucked out on a sighting. At first, we thought it was a large otter. But my the telephoto lens on my camera quickly revealed this was Takaya, the lone wolf (picture).

If you do get the opportunity to visit these islands and wish to go ashore, the only island you are allowed to do so is Discovery, the south half of which is a marine park. But please obey park rules if not common sense and not bring your dog with you. It was such an act a few years back that nearly resulted in B.C. Parks having to remove our lone wolf, now its most famous and exotic resident.

Post script.  

Since writing this article, Takaya, our wolf, left his island paradise, and in foraging the forests of Sooke on Vancouver Island, presumably in search of a mate or his clan, was shot and killed by a trophy hunter