An endangered subspecies of wolf, the eastern wolf, may disappear from the province as Quebec has no intention of protecting it like Ontario has for the past 20 years.
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“There is no conservation program for the eastern wolf in Quebec because we still know so little about this subspecies,” said Marianne Cheveau, a biologist specializing in fur animals at the Department of Environment, Combating Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks (MELFP). .
In Quebec and Ontario there are only 500 eastern wolves (Canis lycaon). The subspecies has enjoyed an official federal conservation plan since 2021, which includes nearly 40 measures including eliminating “threats to the species and its habitat.” Trapping and hunting are more strictly regulated.
Ontario did not wait for the federal government to act. As early as 2001, the trapping of wolves was strictly banned in the 40 boroughs surrounding Algonquin Park. In 2004, even coyote trapping was halted to prevent accidental capture of endangered wolves.
400 animals are killed each year
In Quebec, around 400 wolves are caught by trappers every year and there are no restrictions on subspecies, the ministry specifies.
Eastern wolves are therefore sold for their pelts, unaware that Canadian laws and strict regulations protect these individuals on the other side of the Outaouais.
“Trappers cannot tell the difference between a gray wolf, a boreal wolf and an eastern wolf, three subspecies found in western Quebec. We can only identify them from tissue samples,” explains biologist Michel Hénault, who worked for MELFP for 30 years before retiring in 2017.
This canine specialist continues to collect samples of animal skins captured by trappers in the Laurentians and Outaouais. Last year 36 wolves were caught in the two regions, all species combined.
“We need to put more money and resources into research to better understand the eastern wolf population,” continues Hélène Jolicoeur, biologist and former colleague of Mr Hénault. With the latter, she created a recognition guide for the various subspecies of canids, which the Ministry is slow to release.
The threat of the coyote
This biologist estimates that wolves form a stable population in most of Quebec. A happy contrast after the massive campaign of mass extermination in Europe and North America to which the species fell victim. In 48 of the American states it had completely disappeared.
But the biggest threat right now isn’t fear or the fur trade, it’s the coyote invasion. Completely alien to our ecosystem, this species was first seen in 1944 and has never stopped evolving ever since.
Coyotes and wolves can mate and produce fertile offspring. “We are currently witnessing the development taking place. A new species may be emerging before our eyes,” Ms Jolicoeur concludes.
A WOLF IN DANGER:
- The eastern wolf is smaller than the gray wolf. Its coat varies between gray and brown with black on its back and sides.
- Due to its resemblance to its “cousins”, the gray wolf and the boreal wolf, visually distinguishing the eastern wolf is almost impossible. It would also be quite similar to coyotes.
- A wolf pack has five to eight individuals and covers a territory that can reach 13,000 km. Sometimes an individual will leave to explore other locations where they will find their own pack.
- By preying primarily on large herbivores (deer, elk), wolves play a crucial role in population regulation.
- Although eastern wolves are unacknowledged in the United States, this species has been protected under the Endangered Species Act since 1978.
Five packs live in Mont-Tremblant Park
Mont Tremblant National Park, home to at least five packs, is where wolves are best studied in Quebec.
An extensive study in 2016-2017 proved that five packs of wolves settled in the Parc du Mont-Tremblant in the Laurentians.
Thanks to the biologists, 16 wolves were captured and released with transmitter collars, giving us a better understanding of these large predators.
DNA analyzes identified three eastern wolves.
“We were able to identify the wolves’ dens and the places where they gather before hunting at certain times of the year,” René Charest, director of conservation at the Society of Outdoor Establishments and Quebec Parks, told the Journal.
The packs are doing well, but the animals sometimes leave the park boundaries.
Outside of protected areas, they are at risk of being targeted by hunters and trappers and being victims of traffic accidents.
3% of wolves
The study, titled “Genetic identification and spatial distribution of large wild canids in Quebec,” confirmed the rapid population growth of the coyote in southern Quebec and estimated the proportion of eastern wolves in the entire area at 3%.
A new, less invasive study, which consists of photographing wolves with cameras scattered throughout the forest, will provide a better understanding of the subspecies’ evolution.
Sépaq wants to document the spread of wolves, because many tourists testify to their presence.
However, no attack on humans has been reported to the Society for at least 30 years, Mr. Charest assures.
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