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Email: timberwolfinfonetwork@gmail.com
Email: timberwolfinfonetwork@gmail.com

CA MB: Japanese photographer wants to see wolves thrive in Northern Manitoba

MOLLY GIBSON KIRBY / THOMPSON CITIZEN

One year ago, freelance photographer Hidehiro Otake stopped in Thompson on his way to Churchill to photograph polar bears. While the train took a break, he figured he would find out a bit about Thompson. Otake says he learned about Spirit Way, and the nickname of wolf capital and planned to come back to do more research.

Otake returned this year for three weeks in October to learn about the wolves before he headed up to Churchill again on Oct. 22. During his time here, Otake however did not spot any wolves. “No luck unfortunately. I know Thompson has a nickname of wolf capital, but that doesn’t mean you can see more wolves than anywhere else. I was hoping to get support from people because of that nickname. Local hunters, trappers, spirit way, and Manitoba Conservation have been a great help though.”

Otake would wake up, and start searching for the animal around 6 a.m. daily. Driving through back roads, and looking for open spots, to sit, wait, and call the wolves. “It has been very quiet, maybe because of the hunting season,” says Otake.

Although the freelancer didn’t see any wolves, there were traces that they were around. “Only two things. There were fresh droppings on Tuesday (Oct. 21) on the road to Thicket Portage. That is a good sign, and they are definitely coming back after being pushed away because of the hunting season. Before that, during the snow storm at the first of October I saw three big wolf tracks, heading east.” Photographing other animals like moose and beaver was a way to keep busy while waiting for wolves, the photographer said.

Otake has been publishing his pictures in children’s storybooks for several years now. Within the pages of the different books, his photos tell the story of the places he’s been. He says even though there will not be any wolf pictures in his next book, other pictures of Northern Manitoba will be published.

Other than publishing children stories, Otake also writes essays for National Geographic Japan, and his Canadian photos will be featured on their website. He also does speeches at schools and community centres in Tokyo. During the speeches, Otake talks about travelling for the past 15 years studying the boreal forest, and shows photos of his recent trips.

Otake wants to learn more about wolves in Thompson, because Japan doesn’t have any. “I am interested in wolves, because they are extinct in Japan. 1905 was the last record, and at the time we respected wolves as a god. To become a modern country, we lost that respect and started killing them. Now they are gone, and we have nothing.”

Because Japan has no wolves, it has caused a lot of problems. “There are too many deer now because we lost a top predator. Deer are now destroying mountains by eating tree bark. They usually eat grass, but they are starving because of the large population of deer, so they’re eating the bark. When they eat bark, the tree will die causing the tree to fall and loosen from the ground, which can cause mudslides.”

Although Otake wants to come back to Thompson again next year, he says getting a picture of a wolf will not be his final goal. “My final goal is to learn the relationship between the nature and wildlife. That is more important, so that is why I’m looking for wolves. Even though I didn’t see any this time, I learned a lot of things from residents.”

All Otake wants is for Thompson not to end up like Japan. He says he hopes the community will continue to appreciate the animal, and what they mean for the world, and for the city of Thompson.

Otake plans to travel back to Thompson once the Boreal Discovery Centre is open, and more information on local wolves is available.

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