Algonquin Provincial Park is famous for its wolves that are often heard but seldom seen. The Park's summertime public wolf howls are the centrepiece of a world-renowned interpretive program. While campers are thrilled by the responding howls, little do they know that during these months, only 200 adult wolves are believed to live within the 7,725 square kilometres provincial park.

Species At Risk

The Eastern Wolf has been listed as a species of Special Concern by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) since 2001. This designation applies to any native species that, on the basis of the best available scientific evidence, is sensitive to human activities or natural events.

The Minister of Natural Resources recently announced regulation changes to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act to protect the wolves of Algonquin Provincial Park. The aim is to reduce human-caused mortality, which is believed to have the most harmful effect on the wolf population. Ninety-two wolves have been radio-collared and monitored since 2002. Wildlife biologists have been conducting additional research on Park wolves to assess factors such as the availability of prey species, disease, and survival of young wolves in shaping population dynamics. Ontario is estimated to have the largest population of Eastern wolves, and Algonquin Provincial Park is the largest protected area for this animal in North America.

The Eastern Wolf has lost 58 per cent of its historical range in Canada, and is now extinct in the Atlantic Provinces and the eastern United States. The threat for Algonquin wolves is real.

Partnership Support

Mountain Equipment co-op is supporting Eastern Wolf research in Algonquin Provincial Park by donating the proceeds of a raffle for an Evergreen Vomo Canoe. Tickets for the canoe will be available at both the MEC stores in Ottawa and Toronto.

Consult www.evergreencanoe.com for more info.