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Wolves_or_Coyotes

Feature Article April 29

Nature Reflections December 9, 2004

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Wolves or Coyotes? I have recently heard some reports of Wolf sightings in this general area, as well as reports of Coyotes. Generally those that say they have seen Wolves mention the large size, or the type of howling they have heard. Those that say they have seen Coyotes indicate smaller animals, and a yipping rather than howling.

I have just read a report published in The Canadian Field-Naturalist, vol. 117,no 4, on Coyote-Wolf hybrids, a study of animals in various areas in Eastern Ontario, including Lanark County - mostly on the Frontenac Axis. It has raised more questions for me than answers - do we have Wolves, particularly the Gray Wolf or Red Wolf in this area? Do we have Coyotes or are all the animals hybrids? What about hybrids of dogs and Coyotes (which are not mentioned)? And what has been seen or heard in our region?

The report does not say whether we have purebred Wolves or Coyotes, but seems to indicate that the animals that exist in this area are hybrids. And the study has had some interesting results. The objective of the study was to find any relationship between hybrids and landscape characteristics, and used animals that had been trapped or shot in 1995 - 1996.

Measurements of weight, length, etc., were taken from both males and female. Diets of the animals were studied by collecting scats over the study area. As well the landscape where the study was done was examined. The results indicate that the animals were intermediate in size and structure between Algonquin Wolves (Red Wolves) and Eastern Coyotes, and further found that animals that were found in landscape with the least human interference (less roads, more forest cover and less fragmentation) were closer in size (i.e. larger) and structure to the Algonquin Wolves, and those animals found in areas with more roads, less forest cover and more fragmentation were closer in size (i.e. smaller) and structure to Eastern Coyotes.

Coyotes have expanded their range into eastern Ontario, and Wolves have been hunted and often driven into remote areas by humans. What do we have as a result? Obviously there is hybridization which could mean that purebred Wolves will be (or are?) extinct. What do we have left? Purebred Coyotes - maybe, but doubtful. And what about hybridization between dogs and Coyotes? As I said, I now have more questions than answers.

But my biggest question is What do we call these animals? Wolves, Coyotes, Brush Wolves, Coy-Wolf hybrids, Coy-dog hybrids or do we find a new name for what we have?

Observations: A Great Blue Heron was hunched in the snow by my pond on Dec 1. I saw it catch one unlucky frog. Share your sightings, call Jean at 268-2518 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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