Provincial wildlife authorities are pleased with reports of uncommon canids such as coyotes and wolves, as they persist in monitoring and seeking to enhance understanding of these animals’ presence in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Speculation arose recently when Nikita Compton shared online images of a small group of animals near Goose Arm, prompting questions about whether they were a hybrid of coyote and dog or even coyote and wolf.
While determining the exact identity of these animals without testing is challenging, wildlife officials aim to gain a better grasp of the overall canid population.
The Newfoundland and Labrador government’s Department of Forestry, Agriculture, and Lands, responsible for the Wildlife Division, communicated that a distinct Newfoundland wolf species, believed to be different from the Labrador wolf, became extinct in the 1930s. However, Labrador gray wolves have been recently sighted on the island, with documented cases in 2008 and 2012.
Since 2013, the Wildlife Division has been studying the movement of these animals. Genetic analysis of approximately 500 canid carcasses in the province has revealed five animals with a mix of coyote and domestic dog ancestry, and four animals confirmed as Labrador wolves from the island. Additionally, 28 samples displayed evidence of wolf DNA.
Further genetic testing is pending on 427 samples collected from deceased animals between 2023 and 2025, which will provide more insights into the animal population.
According to provincial staff, genetic evidence suggests that wolves on the island have interbred with coyotes. However, due to the larger coyote population, the wolf genetics are expected to remain diluted within the canid population on the island.
They also emphasized the challenge of determining the genetic background of a coyote based solely on appearance, as coyotes naturally vary in size, color, and body proportions. The ongoing interest in the canid mystery is seen as beneficial for research into provincial animal life.
Hunters and trappers are incentivized to submit coyote and wolf carcasses for examination to gather information on the impact of coyote colonization on the island and understand how wolves may be traveling from Labrador to the island. Efforts are being made to increase the number of canid samples from Labrador to enhance the ability to detect animals with wolf genetic ancestry.
Furthermore, it is not solely about the island, as hunters and trappers in Labrador are encouraged to report canid carcasses to the Wildlife Division.
In the event of encountering a coyote or wolf, provincial wildlife authorities advise the public that these animals are seldom aggressive towards people. Nonetheless, individuals should avoid contact and refrain from feeding wild animals. If faced with a coyote or wolf, staying calm, making noise, and slowly backing away while maintaining eye contact are recommended safety measures.
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