Provincial wildlife authorities are pleased with the reports of unusual canids – coyotes and wolves – as they persist in monitoring and enhancing their understanding of these animals’ presence on the island and in Labrador.
The recent buzz surrounding the possibility of wolves on the island was sparked by Nikita Compton, who encountered and shared images online of a small group of animals near Goose Arm, situated between Deer Lake and Corner Brook.
Speculation arose regarding whether the animals were some form of coyote and dog combination, or perhaps a mix of coyote and wolf.
While determining the exact identity of these animals without testing proves challenging, wildlife officials aim to gain a better insight into the overall canid population.
According to the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Department of Forestry, Agriculture and Lands, which oversees the Wildlife Division, a Newfoundland wolf, believed to be distinct from the Labrador wolf, is now extinct, having disappeared since the 1930s. However, Labrador gray wolves have more recently been spotted on the island, with documented cases in 2008 and 2012.
Since 2013, the Wildlife Division has been studying the movement of these animals. Genetic analyses from around 500 canid carcasses collected in the province have revealed that while five animals had mixed coyote and domestic dog ancestry, four animals were confirmed as Labrador wolves.
Evidence of wolf DNA was found in 28 samples, with an additional 427 samples collected from deceased animals between 2023 and 2025, awaiting genetic testing results.
The province notes that genetic evidence suggests interbreeding between wolves and coyotes on the island. However, due to the much larger population of coyotes, estimated in the thousands, wolf genetics are likely to remain diluted within the island’s canid population.
Staff emphasize that discerning the genetic background of a coyote based on appearance alone can be challenging, as coyotes exhibit natural variations in size, color, and body proportions.
The ongoing interest in the canid mystery is appreciated, as it has the potential to contribute to research on animal life in the province. Hunters and trappers are incentivized to submit coyote and wolf carcasses for study, providing insights into the impact of coyote colonization and the migration of wolves from Labrador to the island.
Efforts are being made to increase the number of canid samples from Labrador to enhance the detection of animals with wolf genetic ancestry.
Wildlife authorities advise the public that coyotes and wolves are seldom aggressive towards humans. However, it is crucial not to encourage interaction or feeding of wild animals. In the event of encountering a coyote or wolf, it is recommended to remain calm, avoid running, make noise to deter the animal, and slowly back away if the animal persists.
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