Takaya

The story of Takaya and Cheryl reminds me of my long ago relationship with chimpanzee David Greybeard. It is only if you observe a complex animal over time, and with an open mind and heart that you can get a true understanding of the sentience of that animal, his or her being-ness. Cheryl exemplifies this approach – she is not afraid to become emotionally involved. And she knows how to tell a story that can be understood and enjoyed by anyone. I hope that this book will help create a better and more informed relationship between humans and wolves." —Jane Goodall, PhD, DBE; Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute & UN Messenger of Peace

Cheryl got to know Takaya better than anyone. They had trust in each other. Often, he'd approach her. There was, for them, no fear. And thanks to Cheryl, Takaya's life has become a gift to us. It would be nice if we decide to return Takaya's favor." —Carl Safina, author of Becoming Wild and Beyond Words

Takaya's death should not be in vain. Rather, it should be an inflection point that triggers the end of the recreational killing of wolves in British Columbia." —National Observer

Cheryl has done very valuable work in hours, days and more spent learning about a particular wolf. Because of their relatively high intelligence and social connectivity, wolves have much in common with humans. This helps to tear down the unfortunate old myth of the "big bad wolf". Her book is an important contribution to this topic." —Robert Bateman, artist and naturalist

…Takaya's story is one of resilience, survival, and adaptability, but it's also one of beauty…" —Jezebel

Astounding, moving and above all beautiful, this remarkable story inspires all of us to persevere and to value the world we live in." —W. Bruce Cameron, NYT #1 bestselling author

A powerful and moving portrait of Takaya, a unique wolf that left a deep print on the hearts of British Columbians. Takaya's story breaks the mould on how we understand these animals, and stands as a symbol for the great pressures we exert on wolves across Canada." —Harley Rustad, journalist, editor; author of Big Lonely Doug: The Story of One of Canada's Last Great Trees

Takaya: Lone Wolf tells the remarkable story of a wolf who, instead of mingling with other wolves, decided to observe humans by settling alone on an island right in front of British Columbia's busy capital and ended up having a one-to-one dialogue with a photographer visiting this island. A unique observational approach to understanding wolf ecology as well as a truly fascinating adventure, spiced up with numerous seal snacks." —Guillaume Chapron, PhD

Cheryl Alexander's beautiful images and observations of Takaya's extraordinary island life provides the most heartfelt and undeniable proof of our potential to rekindle a relationship between our species that has been lost for far too long. We owe so much to Cheryl for not letting us forget Takaya, and this book should be a must read for anyone who doubts that humans and wolves can and should co-exist." —Ian McAllister, executive director of Pacific Wild

A heart-searing book that draws us into feeling with and for Tayaka. Aren't we all stuck on an island, determined to survive alone, or transferred away from our home? The magnificent photos and insights inspire us to hang on too, to believe that we too will persevere. The wildness of the natural world is in us too." —Darcia Narvaez, University of Notre Dame, author of Neurobiology and the Development of Human Morality: Evolution, Culture and Wisdom

The true gift of someone like Cheryl is that they're willing to be that fly on the wall that spends days, weeks, months, years just observing, non-intrusively from a kayak, from a zodiac, from the water, watching a wolf be a wolf and do wild wolf things. Cheryl has been a voice for Takaya, not only to protect him but to do it in service to him and then carry on to keep his legacy alive, so he didn't die in vain." —Paul Nicklen, photographer, filmmaker, marine biologist, author, National Geographic Fellow, and co-founder of SeaLegacy

Through beautiful imagery and a compelling personal narrative, Cheryl Alexander provides us with detailed insight into this majestic, yet often feared and misunderstood, apex predator. Takaya: Lone Wolf is a story of love and compassion. It's a story of Takaya's mutual trust and respect for Cheryl Alexander. And it's a story that will inspire you to want to learn more about the mysterious Canis lupus. —Andrew Weaver, MLA for Oak Bay–Gordon Head and professor at University of Victoria