Takaya, the lone wolf that lived on Discovery Island, continues to inspire adults and children a year after his death.
The wolf had lived alone on Discovery Island and a collection of nearby islands for about eight years before he wandered into James Bay in late January 2020. He was tranquilized by conservation officers and relocated to an area near Port Renfrew. Two months later, he was shot and killed by a hunter about 50 kilometres from where he had been released.
Fans of Takaya were invited to submit original artwork and writing inspired by the wolf to a contest held by Russell Books, Rocky Mountain Books and author Cheryl Alexander, who recently published two children’s books about Takaya.
The artwork was to include an image of Takaya the wolf, while writing entries were asked to focus on Takaya, wolves and nature, or human/wildlife coexistence.
Here are the winners:
Kids Writing: Emmitt, 8, Duncan
The Boy Who Turned Into Takaya
Once there was a boy named Emmitt who was obsessed with wolfs. One day his family took him to a wolf museum. He was staring into a picture of a wolf and he shape-shifted into a wolf. He looked at his arms and legs and realized that he was a wolf!!! He was starving, so he decided to try deer, and it was delicious. He discovered that he was in the Cowichan Valley. Someone saw him and named him Takaya. One year later he teleported as a human into his home. His family was so happy. Two months later his family took him back to the same museum, and he said “I was staring at this picture, and I shape-shifted into a wolf.” No one believed him, but they tried it anyways, and it happened again. Takaya aka Emmitt said “I’ll show you around.” Everyone was excited. They all were starving so they feasted on a herd of sheep and a buck. They all said “It feels good to be a wolf!” Two months later they were all running through the forest and sticks were breaking, it sounded like fire crackling. The mom and dad got shot and then the brother. Takaya booked it out of there. Twenty years later Takaya got shot, it was a very sad day. The gun shot sounded like a volcano erupting.
The end.
Adult Writing: Christina C.
Alone, he roamed the star-strewn streets
Of once-wild lands made tame and grey,
Alone, he crossed the storm-swept seas
In search of a safe place to stay.
Alone, he learned to live within
A web of wild things on the shore,
Alone, he ate his evening meals,
And howled a wish for something more.
Alone, he watched the half-wild folk
Who came and went upon the sea,
Alone, he wondered if they felt
Adrift or anchored, lost or free.
Alone, he spent his twilight years,
Still keen to roam, still wild at heart;
Alone, he left his island home,
Searching for a brand-new start.
Alone, he met a tragic end,
And rests now in an unknown grave.
Alone, he showed us what we have
To lose, or learn, or save.
Colouring: Ivan, 6, Merritt
Little Kids Art: Lily, 6, Victoria
Big Kids Art: Evelyn, 10, Victoria
Adult Art: Valerie L.
