Our Team
Cheryl Alexander
Executive Director & Founder of Takaya’s Legacy
I am a conservation photographer and amateur naturalist living on the edge of the Salish Sea where I make my life with my partner David Green (scientist / entrepreneur), our three grown daughters and their partners, and three precious grandchildren. And, 8 years ago I fell in love with a wolf…
And so, for the past six years I have observed and documented the life of Takaya, a lone wild wolf living on a nearby group of islands. Through visual documentation and storytelling, I have captured the life of this remarkable creature. It is my hope that his story will inspire passion and action to protect wolves and the wilderness that remains on our earth.
Prior to this stage in my life, I lived and worked in the Maritimes, Fiji and Egypt as well as onboard our sailboat ‘Aries’ in the Caribbean, Cuba, Panama & Colombia. In my ‘previous life’ I worked as an environmental educator, consultant and facilitator for over 35 years. After teaching Environmental Studies at the University of Victoria, my consulting work focused primarily on policy and program development with a specialty in stakeholder involvement and consultation in environmental decision-making. I currently work worldwide to ensure protection of wilderness and wildlife. My past projects have included protection of the Wild Coast in South Africa and a more local initiative proposing the Salish Sea as a World Heritage site.
I have now completed a book about the life of Takaya and my experiences with him. Children’s books for three different age levels are also available. Since the killing of Takaya in March 2020, I am even more strongly committed to using Takaya’s Legacy to make a difference for wolves and wilderness.
I am very honoured to have been selected in 2021, as one of four finalists in the Adult Category of the Nature Inspiration Awards.
Find me, and more about Takaya, on social media:
Instagram: @takayalonewolf
Facebook: Takaya
Photography Website: www.wildawake.com
Interview in PhotoLife Magazine
My Journey With Takaya
Takaya did not come from a safe place. Wolves are hunted and trapped like vermin in British Columbia, Canada. Takaya, with good fortune and his innate intelligence, managed to make his way from the wilderness, through the suburbs of a city, to a group of small islands that were a safe haven.
Our family house is near the islands and I go to the islands by boat often to photograph nature. My name is Cheryl Alexander, and I met up with Takaya soon after he arrived on the islands. I will never forget the moment I first looked into his eyes.
After that intense first encounter, I went out to those islands at dawn, at dusk, whenever the weather would permit for six years. Throughout that time I photographed and filmed Takaya as best I could, to document his stunning resourcefulness and his inspiring life. Over time I grew to admire and love this wolf.
Although only two miles from the city, Takaya prospered on the islands. Without any deer or small land mammals available, he learned how to hunt seals, to fish and eat goose eggs. To dig for water. And to deal with the humans who came to the islands.
Takaya had his own territory. He had ample food. Takaya lacked only one thing: a female. He made his needs clear with howls that echoed across the islands and the city.
At the start of mating season in his tenth year, Takaya left his island haven. It is not clear why. His journey was eventful and, in the end, tragic. He was killed by a hunter for no reason other than that he was a wolf.
I recorded Takaya’s life for six years. Then I engaged with Gaby Bastyra and Martin Williams of Talesmith Productions, acclaimed documentary producers in London, UK, who took on the challenge of producing a documentary based on my observations of Takaya. In 2019, the documentary Takaya Lone Wolf was released in three versions: on CBC The Nature of Things, BBC and Arte (French German network). Takaya’s story, in film, had a profound impact. Takaya has become the world’s most iconic lone wolf. He has entered the hearts and minds of many.
Shirley and Chris MacDonald
Art Directors
On the morning of January 25th, 2020, my husband Chris and I were out for our daily morning walk with our German shepherd Akaja, when we had an amazingly close encounter with Takaya. I was ahead of Chris & Akaja and became aware that Akaja had stopped. When I turned around to see why she had stopped, I saw Takaya crossing Linden St. right behind me. Takaya kept walking swiftly to Richardson St. heading towards James Bay. At first, we did not know it was Takaya, thinking it was a large dog off leash. I heard Chris say, "Hey Buddy" to Takaya. At the time, I was worried for Akaja, but Takaya was in no way a threat to our dog. Takaya was minding his own business and was clearly in his own zone just trying to get out of the city. It was not until later on the news that we realized that it was Takaya.
What a precious moment it was to have an experience with this magnificent wolf. That kind of experience you never forget. A few months later, I was looking for more info on Takaya online and found Cheryl's website dedicated to him. We connected with Cheryl and set up a time to meet. Cheryl has received an unbelievable collection of artworks from artists world wide dedicated to Takaya. This was the inspiration for the First Annual, Takaya Lone Wolf International Arts Festival, in Nootka Court in downtown Victoria, BC held on October 25th & 26th, 2020.
The love for this gorgeous, solitary wolf has been deeply felt. The timeliness of his story, one of hope and peacefulness, has given us much to reflect upon during this unprecedented pandemic. Takaya reminds us of a zen Buddhist monk, having lived on Discovery & Chatham Islands for 8 years, alone. Takaya was the greatest gift, showing us all how we can be during this time. We admire Cheryl's deep respect and careful, thoughtful love for Takaya. Cheryl's concern has captured hearts in Canada and world wide. May we continue to celebrate & honour Takaya forever.
-Shirley MacDonald
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2021 Takaya Lone Wolf Events Coordinator
Potential Job Opening (part-time/freelance)
Takaya Legacy Social Media Manager (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok… and more?).
If you have hands on experience in social media content strategy, creation, coordination and optimization we are potentially looking to add to our Victoria BC based team. Experience with video and photo content creation, especially for platforms like Instagram Reels, TikTok and Stories and an understanding of platforms such as Later and Facebook Business Suite is preferable (this does not need to be for a company, it can be personal experience). Please contact us directly info@takayaslegacy.com with a CV, Portfolio/Examples (if you have them), and a bit more about who you are and why you’re passionate about wolf conservation.