Provincial wildlife authorities are pleased to receive reports of uncommon canids, such as coyotes and wolves, as they persist in monitoring and seeking a deeper understanding of these animals’ presence in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Recently, attention was drawn to the possibility of wolves on the island when Nikita Compton shared images online of a small group of animals near Goose Arm, sparking curiosity about whether they were a hybrid of coyotes and dogs or even coyotes and wolves.
While verifying the exact identity of these animals is challenging without testing, wildlife officials aim to enhance their comprehension of the overall canid population.
The Department of Forestry, Agriculture and Lands of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, responsible for the Wildlife Division, mentioned that a distinct Newfoundland wolf species, separate from the Labrador wolf, became extinct in the 1930s. However, Labrador gray wolves have been more recently observed on the island, with documented sightings in 2008 and 2012.
Since 2013, the Wildlife Division has been studying the movement of wolves and coyotes. Genetic analysis of around 500 canid carcasses in the province revealed that five animals had a mix of coyote and domestic dog ancestry, while four were confirmed as Labrador wolves. Additionally, 28 samples showed traces of wolf DNA.
Further genetic testing is pending for 427 samples collected from deceased animals between 2023 and 2025 to provide more insights into the island’s wolf population.
According to the province, genetic evidence suggests that island wolves have interbred with coyotes, although the prevalence of coyotes, numbering in the thousands, is likely to keep wolf genetics diluted within the island’s canid community. Identifying the genetic background of a coyote solely through visual inspection is challenging, as coyotes vary naturally in size, color, and body proportions.
The province encourages hunters and trappers to submit coyote and wolf carcasses for research purposes, aiming to understand the impact of coyotes’ presence on the island and the factors enabling wolves to migrate from Labrador. Efforts are also being made to increase the number of canid samples from Labrador to enhance the detection of animals with wolf genetic ancestry.
In the event of encountering a coyote or wolf, the public is advised that these animals are seldom aggressive towards humans. However, individuals should not provoke contact or feed wild animals. If approached by a coyote or wolf, it is recommended to remain calm, avoid running, and make noise to deter the animal. Additionally, waving arms to appear larger and slowly backing away while continuing to make noise is advised if the animal persists.
Overall, the interest in understanding the canid mystery is encouraged, as it contributes to ongoing research on wildlife in the region, not limited to the island but extending to Labrador as well.
