Eastern Wolf

(Canis lupus lycaon)

Status: Threatened (COSEWIC 2015, ESA 2016)

Table of Contents:

Species Identification
Diet
Habitat and Range
Biology and Behaviour
Similar Species
Threats/Reasons for Being Endangered
Conservation and Recovery Strategies
How You Can Help

Species Identification:

The Eastern Wolf is a smaller subspecies of wolf that is a mix between the Grey Wolf and the Coyote. They are sometimes very difficult to visually distinguish compared to the Eastern Coyote and require proper genetic data to accurately identify. Females are generally 24 kg, and males are 29 kg. They have thick fur with variations of colour, from reddish-brown to black, white, or grey. The Eastern Wolf is also sometimes referred to as the Algonquin Wolf. The Algonquin Wolf may also be a subspecies that is a cross between the Eastern Wolf, Grey Wolf, and Western Coyote, but more research needs to be done to determine if they should be their own subspecies.

Diet:

The Eastern Wolf mainly preys on ungulates like moose, caribou, elk, and deer, but their primary source is white-tailed deer. They will also prey on smaller mammals like beavers. Their diet is very dependent on what is available either seasonally or regionally. While they mainly catch live prey, they have also been known to scavenge if necessary.

Map taken from Nature Conservancy Canada: https://www.natureconservancy.ca/en/what-we-do/resource-centre/featured-species/mammals/eastern-wolf.html

Habitat and Range:

The Eastern Wolf is found only in Ontario and certain parts of western Quebec. In Ontario, scattered Eastern Wolf packs can be found around the Great Lakes/ St. Lawrence region, and throughout The Land Between. There are four known stable populations in Ontario, which are located in Algonquin Park (largest population), Kawartha Highlands Park, Queen Elizabeth II Wildlands, and Killarney Park. There are also small, scattered packs and individuals outside of these protected areas, but they are not as established or well-off.

Eastern Wolves are usually found in deciduous and mixed forests (northern range) and coniferous and mixed forests (southern range). They prefer to have their dens closer to wetlands, water, conifers, on steep slopes, and away from roads. Their territories are an average of 200 km², but can be up to 500 km² or more. However, not much intact wilderness is left, and the Eastern Wolf is sensitive to disturbance and human landscapes, so territories are generally much smaller and cannot sustain healthy pack numbers.

Biology and Behaviour:

Mating generally happens in February and pups are born in late April/ early May. The main breeding pair in the pack will give birth to 4-6 pups, but generally only 1-2 will make it to adulthood. Pups are nursed in the den for 6-8 weeks, and the whole pack will help feed and raise the pups. Food is chewed up by the adults and regurgitated into their mouths until they are old enough for solid food. Pups will start to hunt around 18 weeks of age, going with the pack to learn how to hunt as a group. Pups will be raised by the pack for 2-3 years, and then they will either disperse from the pack and try to establish themselves elsewhere, or they will remain with the pack to help raise the next litter of pups. Wolves have very slow reproduction and recruitment rates, which helps regulate populations, but can also be detrimental to populations that are struggling. While wolves do not have many predators, they are often hunted and trapped by humans, hit on roads, and impacted by starvation and disease.

Similar Species:

The Eastern Wolf is very similar in appearance to the Eastern Coyote or the Grey Wolf. While genetic testing is needed to accurately determine the subspecies, Eastern Wolves are slightly larger than the Eastern Coyote, and slightly smaller than the Grey Wolf. Their general appearance is a cross between a coyote and a wolf. They have similar facial features to a coyote, but a larger body size like a wolf.

Eastern Coyote

Eastern Wolf

Grey Wolf

Threats/ Reasons for being at Risk:

1. Habitat loss and fragmentation: The biggest threat to Eastern Wolf populations, and other wolf subspecies, is habitat loss and fragmentation. Wolves need large, uninterrupted territories in order to have stable pack numbers, as well as to allow for single wolves to roam and form or join new packs. Urban expansion is extending northward and pushing the wolf further and further north. In fact, Eastern Wolves used to live in Southern Ontario, until it was colonized and converted into farmland, moving wolves up north. Today, people are increasingly moving north to escape the city, or buying second properties for vacationing. As development moves north, so does the wolf in order to try and find undisturbed territories. Their habitat is also becoming increasingly fragmented with an increase in road construction. Impacts with cars can lead to higher mortality rates in unprotected areas, and higher road density can also be linked with higher rates of hunting and traffic. Increased road density and urbanization has also facilitated hybridization by allowing further coyote immigration into wolf territory.

2. Hybridization with coyotes: Eastern Coyotes are a slightly larger breed of Coyote than their Western counterparts down in the United States. They have taken advantage of urbanization northward and have spread up into Canada and are now in the same habitats as the Eastern Wolf. Since the Eastern Wolf populations are so low, and Eastern Coyotes are a similar species that has historically crossed with wolves, Eastern Wolves are at risk of extinction when they mate with coyotes and their DNA becomes more coyote than wolf. This is further exacerbated by habitat loss, as they are more likely to mate with coyotes in unprotected areas closer to human development.

3. Hunting, trapping, persecution: Historically, hunting and trapping has led to a drastic decrease in wolf numbers. While hunting still occurs today, it is less of a threat to populations than other major threats. In order for Eastern Wolf populations to recover, hunting and trapping needs to be banned entirely, but first other threats must be dealt with that is currently limiting wolf numbers. Persecution is also a threat, and one that is hard to quantify. The wolf is an animal that is generally feared and seen as a threat, and many landowners, especially those with livestock, would prefer to see wolves removed.

4. Knowledge gaps: More research is needed about what Eastern Wolves need to thrive. We also need to know more about how the Eastern Coyote and the hybrid is impacting the Eastern Wolf, and how we can mitigate these impacts. Habitat requirements are also vital to their survival, especially if we are able to determine best habitat suitability and we are able to either protect or rehabilitate wilderness areas for them to thrive. There are many different parts that make up the whole of the wolf issue, and these must be researched and taken into consideration for wolf recovery.

Conservation and recovery strategies:

While Eastern Wolves and their habitat are protected in protected areas, the most important recovery strategy would be to determine best habitat types in the undeveloped north, and protect them for wolf habitats. Since there is not much intact wilderness left, other areas should be rehabilitated and re-naturalized in order to limit the amount of fragmentation. Development should be halted in the north unless absolutely necessary.

While there are already scattered hunting and trapping bans, all hunting and trapping should be banned for the time being until populations are at a sustainable level. More research should also go into genetic analysis and how we can mitigate the threats of hybridization with the coyote. Recovery strategies should include collaboration with government, organizations, hunters and trappers, and the public.

How can you help?

Work with other organizations to halt northern development and rehabilitate wilderness areas for healthy wolf packs.
Limit the amount of time in protected areas and stay on trails.
Support organizations that are able to protect wolf species.
Keep your property natural, avoid using traps that can harm wolves.
Give wolves their space.

Additional Resources:

Nature Conservancy Canada’s Eastern Wolf page
Government of Ontario’s Algonquin Wolf page
COSEWIC Assessment and Report on the Eastern Wolf

Sources:

COSEWIC. 2015. COSEWIC assessment and status report on the Eastern Wolf Canis sp. cf. lycaon in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. xii + 67 pp. (Species at Risk Public Registry website).

COSSARO. 2016. Ontario Species at Risk Evaluation Report for Algonquin Wolf (Canis sp.), an evolutionarily significant and distinct hybrid with Canis lycaon, C. latrans, and C. lupus ancestry. Committee on the Status of Species at Risk in Ontario (COSSARO). Retrieved from: http://cossaroagency.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Accessible_COSSARO-evaluation-Algonquin-Wolf.pdf

Government of Ontario. 2021. Algonquin Wolf. Retrieved from: https://www.ontario.ca/page/algonquin-wolf

Beacon Environmental Limited and Wildlife 2000 Consulting. 2018. DRAFT Recovery Strategy for the Algonquin Wolf (Canis sp.) in Ontario. Ontario Recovery Strategy Series. Prepared for the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, 5 Peterborough, Ontario. viiii + 62 pp.https://www.ofah.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/algonquin-wolf-draft-recovery-strategy.pdf