Piercing pictures

The exhibit is anchored and inspired by the work of Canadian Geographic’s own photographer-in-residence and Fellow, Michelle Valberg. Taken from her expeditions viewing coastal wolves on Vancouver Island and Yellowstone National Park in the United States, a series of large, colourful images of the elusive wolves of the West can be seen on display throughout the exhibit. 

Sitting patiently for hours and sometimes even days on end, Valberg hid in blinds to capture the perfect shots of the wolves on their own and in their pack. And her efforts were worth the wait as the outcome is stunning images with the wolves’ eyes piercing right into you as their fur jumps out of the frame. 

Valberg made the biggest connection with “Wink”, one of the wolves she was able to photograph the most. 

“It was a thrill of a lifetime,” said Valberg while glancing at her work on the walls. “I got there, getting stuck in mud and slipping on rocks and trails but then to be able to spend that time and watch [Wink’s] behaviour and watch us lock our eyes, I really feel a connection to him.” 

Wolf to woof

Wolves have “shapeshifted” and adapted to the changing climate for millions of years, making them the most widely distributed large land mammal. Wolf skulls are massive, especially when compared to the skull of a modern-day chihuahua. In this section of the exhibit, visitors can see the evolution of wolves all the way to the domesticated dog, with a display of Canada’s current wolf-descended pets.

Skulling around

For visitors interested in the science behind wolves, displays of wolf skulls can confirm just how impressive the jaws and teeth of canines really are.

Here, the exhibit offers a behind-the-scenes look at the tools of some of the museum’s research scientists. This includes the work of Dr. Danielle Fraser who tries to solve the mysteries behind these elusive predators.

“I think [wolves] sort of have this beauty and mystique that inspires everybody on my end in a scientific sense,” said Fraser with a smile. “I find them fascinating because they’re these organisms that change the entire landscape in which they live.”

Connecting to wolves

Wolves are impressive predators in our ecosystems, but they are also a mammal we have made particular connections with. In this portion of the exhibition, artworks by Inuit and First Nations artists are complemented by the wolf stories Indigenous Peoples have shared for hundreds of years. Following this, a collection of pop-culture media showcases the Western fascination with wolves through artefacts that include a poster for the movie Teen Wolf and a vintage copy of Little Red Riding Hood.