Wolves, an interactive game set in the South Lakeland countryside returns to Lakes Alive Festival on 7th September for two hours of ridiculous fun. It will see fell runners recast in the role of a pack of wolves and a game briefing from real life wolf and ecology experts who will set participants off on an ecological mission.
Inspired by the local legend of the last wolf and the natural history of the south Lakeland landscape Wolves is the brainchild of Bristol based artists Ruth Essex and Simon Evans. According to legend, it was on the coast of Cumbria at Humphrey Head that the last wolf of England was killed in 1390 thereby signalling final extinction in this country after 12,000 years. The game invites people imagine a Lake District in which wolves once again roam.
This year the game has a new format. Players are given a mission by the experts: track the wolf pack, and try capture a picture of the wolf pup, the only remaining pup from this years litter, and as yet unseen. Along the way, the experts want the players to document the ecology of the incredible Helsington Barrows, an SSSI. Issued with field guides, the players are tasked with finding and documenting a series of species that make up what is known as a trophic cascade. Starting with the humble woodlouse, up through mouse-ear hawkweed, rabbits and buzzards to the pinnacle of the cascade, the wolves as top predators.
Players submit their images to the game web app for evaluation by the experts. Each confirmed sighting is rewarded by one of the game’s Top Trump style cards. These beautiful cards include specially commissioned drawings from artist Sam Evans. Will players manage to collect the entire set of ten cards?
Ruth Essex, one of the game’s co-creators said: “Wolves were once a part of the landscape in the Lakes and across Britain. Like any extinct animal or species it’s important for us to understand how they lived and the role that they played in the landscape and our ecosystem. Hopefully this is a fun and educational way for people to do this whilst also getting to enjoy the amazing south lakes landscape. It’s great to work with the fell running community as part of the project.”
This is a free event and there are 4 games running on Saturday 7th September. To participate, sign up at https://wolves.live/