Sea Wolves are a unique animal that lives in the rainforest along Canada’s Pacific coast. They are genetically different from other wolves in any other part of the world, and also coastal wolves can swim like otters and fish like the bears with whom they share the rainforest.

“Wolves are very, very intelligent animals, we respect them, and they respect us.” Said William Housty. He was born and raised here, and also he chairs the Heiltsuk Integrated Resource Management Department Board. He has shared stories of living alongside these beautiful howlers in his home territory. He continued it, if someone is walking through the creek beds of the Great Bear Rainforest, that can see decapitated salmon scattered that area. It signs you that sea wolves have been in the area. Actually, they eat the head alone, and it might also be a way to avoid “salmon poisoning”.  “They just take a bite take out of the head, and everything else is left fully intact” he elaborated. 

(Photo: Klaus Pommerenke)

Sci-TEK strategy is an integrative approach to studying the wolves, and it pairs with traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) with modern science. Paquet, and other scientists who work in the Heiltsuk territory, have taken this approach. This strategy is made with different ways of knowing and evidence from multiple sources, to develop a more holistic understanding of the wolves. It revealed many fascinating things about coastal wolves and their habitat.

Sea wolves are also known as marine wolves, and they are recognized as fast and powerful swimmers. Housty expressed his experience in this way,

 (Photo: Kyle Artelle)

“We looked ahead of us and we could see something in the water. We couldn’t tell what it was, but it was moving. As we got closer, it was actually two wolves swimming across the channel.”

They are distance swimmers, and when they swim, they move stealthily in the water—only their eyes, ears, and snouts peeking above the surface.  Many of Sea wolves migrate through the archipelago, swimming from island to island throughout the year. Typically they are tracking the salmon. But they have a diverse diet, and A recent study found that it can be up to 90 percent marine-based. Lone wolves hunt seals and otters, and someone eats whale carcasses occasionally. They also eat shellfish by using their powerful jaws to crack open the shells of mussels.

(Photo: Chris Darimont)

 (Photo: Steve Woods)

A Heiltsuk Elder has pointed out key differences between the mainland and marine wolves. Even though the two are close neighbors geographically, Subsequent testing has revealed that sea wolves are a distinct ecotype. Scientists have had to look to a non-invasive technique to get more data about sea wolves. Scientists use faeces to know more about sea wolves as a rich source for their research, and also they have obtained DNA from faeces. After passing more than a decade and 7,000 scat samples, Scientists could take a much clearer picture of the wolves’ ecology and physiology status. These Scats have revealed information about their genetics and hormone levels, and the types of parasites and bacteria they harbor. Their dropped Hair and bone fragments show the details of their prey. These Scat samples offer a different form of location mapping, offering data on the animals’ range their habitat.

(Photo: Steve Woods)

 (Photo: Steve Woods)

 

Housty and Paquet elaborated on three main treats of coastal wolves. They are currently facing industrial logging, climate change, and trophy hunting. Industrial logging destroys the rainforest habitat of both the wolves and their prey. Climate change is also badly affecting their food, habitats, and their lifestyle.

Today, wolves are mainly safe from the threats of logging and hunting in Heiltsuk territory. It only 11 percent opens to industry, and 55 percent of this land is protected for animals. The rest is also holding with under ecosystem management. Since 2005, the Raincoast Conservation Foundation has raised funds to buy out all the remaining hunting licenses in the Great Bear Rainforest and Kitlope Conservancy. This foundation work to taking a permanent end to commercial trophy hunting in 38,800 square kilometers of B.C.’s Great Bear Rainforest as a highly effective campaign.

 Housty estimated that this year, the wolf numbers are up in his territory. Anyone can see a lot of sea wolves with white muzzles in the Heiltsuk territory. It says the longevity of Sea wolves on the coast. Scientists and nature lovers have accomplished one of the nature goals. It is the best example of what can be accomplished when both groups work side by side on conservation. Like we humans, we should protect the rest of our participants in mother nature. You can see wonderful captures of Sea wolves with this article. See them and think how beautiful the sea wolves are.

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(Photo: Steve Woods)

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