Algonquin Wolf
Credit: Ted Krug
Canissp. cf. lycaon
The highest density of Algonquin wolves are found in Algonquin Park.
Description
- Fawn-coloured pelt with long black hairs on the back and sides and a reddish colour behind the ears.
- Adult males weigh between 25 and 35 kg and females weigh between 20 and 30 kg.
Habits and Reproduction
- A “pack” animal, found in groups usually of 3-6 adults.
- Each pack has a home range that is loosely defended from neighbouring packs.
- A territory can be up to 500 square km in size (average typically 150 square km).
- Feeds on white-tailed deer, beaver and moose, as well as on caribou in the northern part of its range.
- Predators include people, bears and other wolves.
- Two leaders of the pack (the alpha male and alpha female) mate in February.
- Pups are born approximately 63 days later in a den which has been dug into the ground. Generally 4-7 pups are born per pack.
- Pups are nursed for the first six to eight weeks. Once weaned, they rely on the other members of the pack to feed them.
Habitat
- Deciduous and mixed forests in the southern part of its range and mixed and coniferous forests further north.
- Require relatively large areas of unbroken forest.
Threats
- Habitat loss as a result of forest clearance and farmland/residential development.
- Genetic studies show the hybridization between Algonquin wolves and coyotes could be a long-term threat to the genetic integrity.
Conservation Actions
- Year-round closed hunting and trapping season in and around Algonquin Provincial Park.
- Closed hunting and trapping season from April 1 to September 14 across core wolf range to protect wolves raising young, a requirement that hunters purchase a wolf game seal with a limit of two per year, and mandatory reporting by hunters and trappers and by persons that destroy a wolf in protection of property.
- A Management Plan is being developed for the Algonquin Wolf (June 2008).
Range Map
