Takaya, beloved ‘Lone Wolf’, has been shot and killed by hunters on Vancouver Island

A beloved wolf, who made the news just two months ago when it wandered into downtown Victoria, has been killed.

Takaya, the ‘Lone Wolf of Discovery Island’, spent around eight years on Discovery Island, located about five kilometres east Oak Bay, before his epic journey in January.

He was spotted in the James Bay area of Victoria before eventually being tranquilized and taken away unhurt by conservation officers.

View this post on Instagram

This wolf was shot with a Tranquilizer gun in James Bay, Victoria tonight. I was present and the Conservation Officers behaved professionally and sensitively. It is uncertain at the moment whether it is Takaya and will be confirmed later. It does seem as if it might be. It is, however, an older male wolf. I am needing to take a little while to absorb this situation and have requested that I be allowed to go see him tomorrow while being assessed by the vet. This has been an incredibly emotional day. I will post more shortly. I thank all of you for all the thoughts and love and good wishes for Takaya that you have sent from all over the World!

A post shared by Takaya (@cher_wildawake) on Jan 26, 2020 at 8:31pm PST

A day later, the wolf was released in an undisclosed location on the west coast of Vancouver Island after it was determined that it would likely try to leave Discovery Island again if it was to be released there.

Unfortunately, the beautiful creature’s life came to an end in recent days, this according to Cheryl Alexander, a conservation photographer who has been following wolves in the area for years.

“Takaya has been killed today,” she wrote. “He was shot by hunters in a wilderness area northwest of Victoria.”

“I don’t know much else. The only thing that I can confirm, with such a desperately heavy heart, is that I know for sure it was Takaya.”

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I am beyond devastated. And I do not want to share with you this very sad news because Takaya was giving so much hope and joy to so many in this very difficult and dark time. But I must. Takaya has been killed today. He was shot by hunters in a wilderness area northwest of Victoria. I don't know much else. The only thing that I can confirm, with such a desperately heavy heart, is that I know for sure it was Takaya. The dead wolf had a yellow ear tag, 1-295. This is Takaya's tag. It is a tragic end for a very exceptional and special wolf. I will post more when I get more information. The hunting of wolves and all trophy hunting must stop now. Please visit this link to take action to help save other BC wolves. Link in bio. @pacificwild #takaya #stoptrophyhunting #sorrow

A post shared by Takaya (@cher_wildawake) on Mar 25, 2020 at 6:12pm PDT

She was able to confirm this because of the yellow ear tag put on the wolf when it was captured and released in January, which had the number 1-295 on it.

“It is a tragic end for a very exceptional and special wolf,” continued Alexander. “The hunting of wolves and all trophy hunting must stop now.”

The conservation officer confirmed the wolf's death, saying it was shot and killed near Shawnigan Lake on Tuesday.

It was killed around 50 kilometres from where it was re-released into the wild in late January, a location that was not chosen at random.

“This isolated coastal habitat similar to Discovery Island was carefully chosen to give the wolf the best chance possible,” explained the conservation officer.

“We understand many British Columbians and people around the world shared care and concern for the well-being of this wolf and this update will affect many people.”

Takaya is the Coast Salish First Nations people’s word for wolf.

His death is under investigation.