I love fiction. It has seen me through a lot. Good stories have picked me up when I was down and told me I’m not the only one who feels the way I do. They’ve made me laugh and cry and think. But sometimes I run across something that is better than fiction. Here is one of those things.
Sea Wolves.
When I was in elementary school, my favorite animal was the wolf which was considered odd for a little girl. I’m not sure why. Maybe because wolves are the villains in so many fairy tales. I thought they were beautiful and intelligent and strong. Also dangerous. But that fierceness was part of why I liked them.
As I grew older, my focus shifted to other animals — unicorns, dragons, kitsune, and cats — but I never quite lost my love of the wolf.
The other day, I saw the most remarkable thing in my twitter feed. Neil Gaiman had retweeted a tweet by William Gibson. And if that wasn’t enough on its own, the tweet was about sea wolves. Sea Wolves!
UPDATE: Photo of B.C. sea wolf honoured by National Geographic | I didn’t think these were real! Via Mrs GD https://t.co/XNHtQbpXBL
— William Gibson (@GreatDismal) February 23, 2016
Why have I never heard of these marvelous creatures before? Scientists think that they used to live all up and down the west coast of North America, but hunting and other environmental factors have nearly wiped them out. They are genetically and visually distinct from their inland counterparts and they live on a diet of things from the water.
It breaks my heart that they are considered vermin by many and that they aren’t a protected species.
I think I might have to write a story with sea wolves in it now. And find a way to help save them while there’s still time.
