by Tabatha Golat –
I may be late to the party, given the flurry of excitement that surrounded Netflix’s nature docu-series The Island of the Sea Wolves last October, but I’m pleased to share this month’s recommendation of the locally-shot series. Like many Island residents, I was intrigued when it first dropped on Netflix but waited a few months to dive in, and I’m happy to report it’s well worth the watch.
B.C. filmmaker Jeff Turner and his co-director daughter Chelsea Turner spent over 600 days shooting Island of the Sea Wolves in various locations across Vancouver Island, including Victoria and Port Renfrew. The docu-series consists of three 45-minute episodes, aptly titled Spring, Summer and Fall. Narrated by comedian and actor Will Arnett, the series focuses on the lives of dozens of species found throughout Vancouver Island, including Cedar the wolf, Spiro the eagle and Sky the sea otter. Though the narration and soundtrack can lean towards the dramatic, the cinematography by Maxwel Hohn more than makes up for the anthropomorphizing plot. I audibly gasped countless times at the beauty of Vancouver Island, including the exquisite shots of the ocean and forest, and one particularly enchanting close-up of a toadstool.
This stunningly shot series highlights the endurance of Vancouver Islands wildlife as they navigate the ever-changing seasons and effects of global warming. From orcas to marmots, bears and beyond, the vast fauna of Vancouver Island is an impressive sight to behold, and bound to create new fans of our unique island environment.
The first episode, Spring, focuses on an outcast pregnant sea wolf, affectionately nicknamed Cedar, who faces food scarcity after being left behind by her pack. The other creatures also struggle to find sufficient food sources for their young. As Summer arrives (episode two) we’re shown the difficulties wildlife face during an unprecedented heatwave (the 2021 heat dome) that impacts the delicately-balanced ecosystems on Vancouver Island. Episode three, Fall, focuses on the animals’ preparation for winter, including a moving storyline about an injured wolf pup named Blaze who is separated from the pack and at risk of starvation.
Though multiple animal inhabitants of Vancouver Island are featured, the iconic seawolf is the most captivating. These rare animals use both the forest and the ocean for food, bridging the world between land and sea. Our glimpse into their unique relationship with the land is fascinating and bound to impress.
If you’re looking for other compelling nature documentaries available for streaming on Netflix check out my list of recommendations below.
1. My Octopus Teacher
2. Birders
3. Our Planet
4. Night on Earth
