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Takaya: Lone Wolf
An enchanting and evocative look at the unique relationship between a solitary, island-dwelling wolf and a renowned wildlife photographer.
A lone wild wolf lives on a small group of uninhabited islands in British Columbia’s Salish Sea, surrounded by freighter, oil tanker and other boat traffic and in close proximity to a large urban area. His name is Takaya, which is the Coast Salish First Nations people’s word for wolf.
Cheryl Alexander studied and documented this unique wolf for years, unravelling the many mysteries surrounding his life. Her documentation of Takaya’s journey, his life on the islands and the development of their deep connection is presented alongside a stunning collection of her photography.
Through journal entries, interviews, and a stunning collection of photography, Takaya: Lone Wolf addresses a number of profound questions and tells a story that is certain to inspire, enlighten, and touch the heart. It is the story of a wild animal, alone yet at peace.
A lone wild wolf lives on a small group of uninhabited islands in British Columbia’s Salish Sea, surrounded by freighter, oil tanker and other boat traffic and in close proximity to a large urban area. His name is Takaya, which is the Coast Salish First Nations people’s word for wolf.
Cheryl Alexander studied and documented this unique wolf for years, unravelling the many mysteries surrounding his life. Her documentation of Takaya’s journey, his life on the islands and the development of their deep connection is presented alongside a stunning collection of her photography.
Through journal entries, interviews, and a stunning collection of photography, Takaya: Lone Wolf addresses a number of profound questions and tells a story that is certain to inspire, enlighten, and touch the heart. It is the story of a wild animal, alone yet at peace.
- GenresWolvesNonfictionNature
192 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
October 27, 2020
Takaya has led a solitary existence on the islands off the coast of British Columbia for over 8 years before being shot by a hunter. He was an internationally famous wolf, especially after a CBC documentary was made about him. Also known as Staqeya, he was truly an exceptional wolf, living almost exclusively off the sea. Over the years spent on observation and tracking, Cheryl Alexander came to know him, and Takaya, for his part, came to accept her presence. This book was written when Takaya was still alive. His death preceded the publication. Cheryl Alexander is determined to turn it into action to protect the coastal wolves, as they're being hunted and culled legally.
The photographs are stunning - really, it's one of the most beautiful books I've held - but I just have to take a star off for the writing, which tends to repeat information.
Other books on coastal wolves:
The Last Wild Wolves
Return of the Wolf
Wolves in the Land of Salmon
Wolf Spirit
The photographs are stunning - really, it's one of the most beautiful books I've held - but I just have to take a star off for the writing, which tends to repeat information.
Other books on coastal wolves:
The Last Wild Wolves
Return of the Wolf
Wolves in the Land of Salmon
Wolf Spirit
March 11, 2021
The story of Takaya is unique, beautiful, and incredible. This along with stunning photographs and inserts from other wolf novels is why I gave it 4 stars. However, the writing I give it 3 stars. I felt the style of writing and how the story was delivered could have been done differently. I felt much of the focus was on the author... about herself, her experiences, and her relationship with Takaya, taking away the light and focus on Takaya himself. A different approach and style would put Takaya as the main focus more, which is the point of the book.
December 25, 2022
Absolutely incredible photos and really interesting maps. Wasn't super into the writing style and I wish maybe it had been edited or had contributions from an expert wolf biologist, as well as Indigenous perspectives (which to me seemed noticeably sparse in the text). The incredible photos and the fact that the actual was so moving more than made up for it. I wonder if she'll add another epilogue in a future edition about Stekeya / Stqéyəʔ's fate.
July 27, 2022
First things first - the pictures are gorgeous. Based solely on the pictures I would rate this book five stars. I am torn about the text. It is an odd mashup of personal journey, individual wolf biography, educational scientific wolf information, spiritual wolf mythology bits, and a touch of what I consider religious naturalism -- nature as sacred or holy and direct experience with nature as transcendent/transformative. I actually don't mind the spiritual parts. I was bothered that the book contains so much repetition and filler, especially in the first half of the book. I also had an underlying uneasiness and sadness reading the book. Takaya is obviously an impressive wolf and the relationship he and Alexander form is real and moving, but I can't help feeling that Takaya's choice to remain on the islands wasn't entirely free, that he felt trapped by the urban environment surrounding him even though, or perhaps because, he made it through the city to get to the islands in the first place.
May 16, 2024
A delightful look at the life of lone wolf Takaya, who took up residence on an island in British Columbia. Here, the author observed him over several years, getting to know his habits and personality. The book is illustrated with many lovely photos she took of him.
Most of the information given is accurate, though there are a few uses of unscientific phrases such as “animals, insects and birds” (which obviously makes no sense), and one passage in which someone anthropomorphically interprets Takaya’s natural scent-marking behaviours as approval or disapproval. Still, I recommend this book to wolf fans.
Most of the information given is accurate, though there are a few uses of unscientific phrases such as “animals, insects and birds” (which obviously makes no sense), and one passage in which someone anthropomorphically interprets Takaya’s natural scent-marking behaviours as approval or disapproval. Still, I recommend this book to wolf fans.
January 2, 2021
Beautiful, inspiring, and heartbreaking. This is truly a story that needs to be shared with the world!
Takaya was so lucky to have Cheryl around so that she could document his life, share it with others, and increase education and awareness of wolves and how we need to protect them. For anyone with even a minimal love of nature, this book will warm your heart with its eloquent writing style and stunning photography!
Thank you Cheryl! And, Takaya, wherever you are, our minds and souls go with you.
Takaya was so lucky to have Cheryl around so that she could document his life, share it with others, and increase education and awareness of wolves and how we need to protect them. For anyone with even a minimal love of nature, this book will warm your heart with its eloquent writing style and stunning photography!
Thank you Cheryl! And, Takaya, wherever you are, our minds and souls go with you.
November 10, 2021
This book is a promise to explore the life of Takaya who dispersed from his natal pack to live a life in the archipelago within the Salish Sea right outside Victoria. Unfortunately that is about as far as it gets when it comes to the telling of Takaya.
But although Takaya is the titular character of the story and the model of the majority of the colored photographs included within the book this isn't really his story. Instead the story is that of Cheryl Alexander who explores her feelings, her motivations, her lessons, her relationship with not only the wolf but the community, her seeking of a larger story and in some vague sense a redemption for her denial in standing up for this magnificent specimen when he needed it the most.
I will give the book its due for exploring the lives of coastal wolves, of wolf behavior in general, of the history between wolves and humans as well as bits of Takaya's life. It isn't a scientific read, though, since it always circles back around to the human element. And although sometimes the human element of the story needs to be told I find it distracting.
At the same time the book is very cluttered in its writing. Not only is there the telling of the story but there are insert boxes with either information about wolves, Takaya or excerpts from wolf books and/or people who have a connection to the author. Plus there is a quote at the start of the chapter, the captions for the photographs and also in the Table of Content a bit of a quote under each chapter name. As a result the reading can be a bit chaotic for some of the information ends up repeating itself or relates to prior information you may have already read past.
The rest of the book is made up of photographs and maps. As mentioned prior the majority are gratefully of Takaya and his life but then again there are also those pictures captured by the author recording aspects of her life and the people that she has made friends with in the capacity of being the recorder of this unique wolf.
All in all it was quite a decent book that allowed the reader to be introduced to the world of coastal wolves and one very particularly special creature. In the end I just wished that there had been a little bit less of human element and more of the wolf but it is what it is.
But although Takaya is the titular character of the story and the model of the majority of the colored photographs included within the book this isn't really his story. Instead the story is that of Cheryl Alexander who explores her feelings, her motivations, her lessons, her relationship with not only the wolf but the community, her seeking of a larger story and in some vague sense a redemption for her denial in standing up for this magnificent specimen when he needed it the most.
I will give the book its due for exploring the lives of coastal wolves, of wolf behavior in general, of the history between wolves and humans as well as bits of Takaya's life. It isn't a scientific read, though, since it always circles back around to the human element. And although sometimes the human element of the story needs to be told I find it distracting.
At the same time the book is very cluttered in its writing. Not only is there the telling of the story but there are insert boxes with either information about wolves, Takaya or excerpts from wolf books and/or people who have a connection to the author. Plus there is a quote at the start of the chapter, the captions for the photographs and also in the Table of Content a bit of a quote under each chapter name. As a result the reading can be a bit chaotic for some of the information ends up repeating itself or relates to prior information you may have already read past.
The rest of the book is made up of photographs and maps. As mentioned prior the majority are gratefully of Takaya and his life but then again there are also those pictures captured by the author recording aspects of her life and the people that she has made friends with in the capacity of being the recorder of this unique wolf.
All in all it was quite a decent book that allowed the reader to be introduced to the world of coastal wolves and one very particularly special creature. In the end I just wished that there had been a little bit less of human element and more of the wolf but it is what it is.
August 25, 2021
Loved the doc and loved the book too! Just so sad that he was shot by hunters after the booked was released. :(
June 16, 2021
In 2012 people noticed there was a lone wolf occupying some small islands a few miles offshore of Victoria, the largest city on Vancouver Island and the capital of British Columbia. There were no deer or land mammals of any size on this island, nor sources of fresh water year round, so people were worried about this wolf's health.
Cheryl Anderson made the study of this wolf her life's work in the past ten years. She determined that he successfully captured seals regularly, and harvested some sea life from tide pools. He also dug pits for water seepage during the dry season. While she was cautious not to habituate the wolf, nevertheless she became familiar enough to him that he relaxed in her presence and would lounge nearby. This has resulted in some spectacular photos that are in this well-illustrated book.
The book is gorgeous to look at. The text is largely meditative on how the wolf affected her life, when it is not descriptive of wolf lore and Takaya's efforts to find food.
As with many stories of wild animals, the ending is not a happy one. But Takaya was able to thrive alone on these small islands for much longer than wolves typically live in the wild. He also engaged the attention of many people who learned much about wolves and their lore. Ultimately, the story is one of how an animal made extreme adaptations to survive in a challenging environment - a lesson we might learn from today.
Cheryl Anderson made the study of this wolf her life's work in the past ten years. She determined that he successfully captured seals regularly, and harvested some sea life from tide pools. He also dug pits for water seepage during the dry season. While she was cautious not to habituate the wolf, nevertheless she became familiar enough to him that he relaxed in her presence and would lounge nearby. This has resulted in some spectacular photos that are in this well-illustrated book.
The book is gorgeous to look at. The text is largely meditative on how the wolf affected her life, when it is not descriptive of wolf lore and Takaya's efforts to find food.
As with many stories of wild animals, the ending is not a happy one. But Takaya was able to thrive alone on these small islands for much longer than wolves typically live in the wild. He also engaged the attention of many people who learned much about wolves and their lore. Ultimately, the story is one of how an animal made extreme adaptations to survive in a challenging environment - a lesson we might learn from today.
November 15, 2020
Takaya: Lone Wolf is a beautiful chronicle of photographer and author Cheryl Alexander’s relationship with a solo wild wolf living on a series of uninhabited islands in British Columbia.
Much like renowned primatologist, Dr. Jane Goodall, Alexander gains in-depth knowledge and understanding of Takaya through her direct observations made over a number of years. She recounts, through stories and her brilliant photographs, details of the wolf’s daily life and activities that would otherwise be unavailable to most humans. Through the author’s eyes, we spend time with Takaya as he hunts, feeds, patrols his territory, and relaxes in the sun, surveying his domain. Alexander provides her readers with details of the nature of Takaya’s home, including both marine and terrestrial habitats and species.
Takaya: Lone Wolf, however, is not just a story of a woman observing a wolf. In her narrative, Alexander underscores the importance and incredible value of individual wild animals, and how much they can teach us. She also, perhaps most importantly, issues a clarion call to protect wild nature—to protect and defend wolves and all other wildlife, and to protect the land, the habitat on which they depend.
Barbara J. Moritsch, Author of Wolf Time: A Novel
Much like renowned primatologist, Dr. Jane Goodall, Alexander gains in-depth knowledge and understanding of Takaya through her direct observations made over a number of years. She recounts, through stories and her brilliant photographs, details of the wolf’s daily life and activities that would otherwise be unavailable to most humans. Through the author’s eyes, we spend time with Takaya as he hunts, feeds, patrols his territory, and relaxes in the sun, surveying his domain. Alexander provides her readers with details of the nature of Takaya’s home, including both marine and terrestrial habitats and species.
Takaya: Lone Wolf, however, is not just a story of a woman observing a wolf. In her narrative, Alexander underscores the importance and incredible value of individual wild animals, and how much they can teach us. She also, perhaps most importantly, issues a clarion call to protect wild nature—to protect and defend wolves and all other wildlife, and to protect the land, the habitat on which they depend.
Barbara J. Moritsch, Author of Wolf Time: A Novel
February 12, 2021
Definitely a story that needed to be told. I relived Takaya's life through Cheryl Alexander's encounters and narrative of the this lonely wolf's journey. This is a story that should be shared far and wide. Fear mostly comes from what we don't understand. Learning about the natural world that surrounds us is an important step in preserving it. Beautifully illustrated with her photographs this alone was a gift. The only criticism I have is it started out to be all about the author, and the reason I am perturbed by this, is I was hoping the story would be conducive to being read aloud to my great niece and nephew aged 7 and 9.
November 24, 2020
Cheryl Alexander’s book “Takaya: Lone Wolf” is absolutely lovely. Well presented, with photography so rich you just want to reach out and meet this majestic animal. The awareness Cheryl created by introducing this wolf to the world with her documentary sparked so much interest and hopefully encouraged the protection of these beautiful animals. A must read and definitely a wonderful gift to anyone who love animals. We are privileged to share this West Coast with these wolves and lucky to have Cheryl share the experience of her encounter with Takaya.
November 25, 2020
More than a good read, this book is a wonderful read! It tells the story of a rare relationship between a human and a wild wolf – one of the more elusive species in our environment. Cheryl’s telling of the story combines the objectivity and respect of a trained environmental observer with her growing personal relationship with Takaya – at a respectful distance – over a span of years. Cheryl’s story is made all the more compelling by her photographs, showing her exceptional talent as a nature photographer. This book will be a great Christmas gift for yourself and for those you love.
October 4, 2020
Absolutely fabulous! An intimate and touching testament to a truly unique animal, documented by a woman who came to know this lone wolf over a period of 6 years of careful observation. The book itself is just beautiful, with stunning photographs of Takaya on his island home off of the rugged coast of Victoria, BC. An inspiring story of survival and resilience in the face of adversity. A real gem of a book.
October 12, 2020
This wonderful book transports you to the islands and waters of southern Vancouver Island where Takaya lived on a small island, within sight of Victoria. Cheryl Alexander’s photographs are stunning, as are her evocative words about the place, the wolf, and her own journey in studying and coming to know this beautiful animal. I highly recommend it!
May 7, 2021
What a great local BC (true!) story of a Wolfe who relocated to the Discovery islands just off Victoria. The book is a personal story of the author’s relationship with the wolf she named Takaya. Each chapter contains great photos of Takaya and his environment. A sad epilogue closes out her 12 year relationship with the wolf. A great read!
September 21, 2021
this book came to me as a gift. As I live less than 1 mile from the island this lone wolf miraculously inhabited after swimming in frigid ocean currents, it made this book a journey of discovery. The author traces her own journey as the wolf (takaya), teaches her about his journey and lifestyle. The book gets better with every page.
March 11, 2024
WOW
There was a wolf who left the main land of western Canada to live alone on a group of small islands and out cropings. This author observed and photographed the wolf she called Takaya. This book is worth your attention for the pictures alone. But there is also the account of the life of a wolf. The book is beautiful.
There was a wolf who left the main land of western Canada to live alone on a group of small islands and out cropings. This author observed and photographed the wolf she called Takaya. This book is worth your attention for the pictures alone. But there is also the account of the life of a wolf. The book is beautiful.
October 19, 2020
Without a doubt a beautiful story of a journey of trust between Cheryl and Takaya. Its such an important story to tell to share. The pictures are magnificent. So well done and so well written. Thank you Cheryl Alexander and thank you Takaya.
October 22, 2020
Absolutely stunning. A special story about a 'once in a lifetime' bond with a wild animal. A treasure trove of information presented in a beautiful and thoughful way. Cheryl's passion and personality shine through in every element of this book.
November 22, 2020
My heart is in my throat and the prickles of tears in my eyes. This is an exceptional book. The photography of the wolf and islands is unbelievable. The story of this wolf and his domain is so rich.
November 25, 2020
This is a truly beautiful and amazing book! The photos are mesmerizing and the text is captivating! Highly recommend this great book!
December 6, 2020
A loving legacy for a majestic animal.
January 4, 2021
Excellent book. Beautiful story. Well written. Truly touching
March 19, 2022
I took it out of the library and wasn't expecting the format! Stunning photos and beautiful story.
October 31, 2024
nice/emotional wolf story - it's like a story / textbook - recommend if you love wildlife though!
April 29, 2021
Intimate
Starts slow, but then grows as the author immerses herself into learning everything she can about wolves in general as well as this one in particular.
Starts slow, but then grows as the author immerses herself into learning everything she can about wolves in general as well as this one in particular.
September 17, 2021
I was surprised how drawn in I got to Takaya and his story, and was very saddened when I searched for news on what happened to him after publication. I have a lot of respect for Cheryl Alexander’s total dedication to Takaya, and for making his story so enthralling. I read the e-book and think I would have enjoyed it even more with larger pictures in a hard copy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews