A recent wolf sighting and subsequent shooting marks the first time that a large predator has been spotted on Texada Island.
On December 27, 2011, Texada resident Art Sagi was having his morning coffee when he heard his turkeys making a racket in their pen. He looked through the window and saw what seemed like a dog lunging at the enclosure. Sagi, a longtime hunter, knew better once the animal turned and snarled at him.
“My mental part of me knew it was a wolf, but I still find it hard to accept,” said Sagi.
The wolf took off running after it saw Sagi, but he got his rifle and shot the animal. Sagi took photos of the wolf and sent them to the conservation officer service in Powell River.
“Texada Island is just
abuzz,” said Sagi. “Everybody over there is freaking out, all the farmers and everybody. We’ve just got our livestock running free...they’re all just outside, nobody worries taking them in at night or anything.”
This marks the first time a wolf has ever been recorded on Texada, according to Conservation Officer Andrew Anaka. In fact, never before has any other large predator, such as a bear or cougar, been spotted on the island. Anaka talked to retired conservation officers and looked at past records to make sure and could not find any records.
Wolves are excellent swimmers, said Anaka, and this wolf most likely swam over from Nelson Island or Black Point. The closest point to Texada is Black Point, which is 4.6 kilometres from Pocahontas Bay on the island. There is a known pack of wolves at Scotch Fir Point, which is not far from that area.
Wolves are 99 per cent genetically identical to dogs, said Anaka, making it difficult to identify wolves. Wolves are carnivores and opportunistic in their eating habits. Anaka said Sagi was within his rights to shoot the animal as his livestock was in danger.
“Considering the number and availability of prey on Texada Island he was probably the healthiest, fattest and happiest wolf in the entire province,” said Anaka. “A person’s allowed to protect their property and he was protecting his turkeys.”
The male wolf was about two years old and about 90 pounds according to Sagi. Anaka said it’s likely the wolf was kicked out of its pack and travelling on its own. He said there is no reason to believe other wolves will follow in its footsteps.
“It’s likely a one-off,” said Anaka.
Anaka would like to remind the public that anyone who kills wildlife in the protection of property is required to call conservation officers, 1.877.952.7277 (RAPP), and report the killing.
