Algonquin wolves highlight Park's problems
The Algonquin wolves on average are smaller than this wolf from farther north. Some scientists believe that this is an evolutionary result of excessive human predation over the last century. Photo: Karvonen Films Ltd.
Algonquin Park maintains one of the most southerly wolf populations in North America. Wolves are one of the major predators and scavengers in Algonquin's wildlife food chain. The park has become world famous for its wolves and some of the most extensive wolf research ever done has been carried out in Algonquin since the 1950s.
For years, including the 1995 season, a strange phenomena known as Public Wolf Howls have been guided and held in Algonquin Park. There have been over 75 Public Wolf Howls held over the years involving a staggering number of participants- over 90,000 -making these Wolf Howls the largest eco-tourism events held in Canadian history.
But all the news about wolves is not good news. The Algonquin wolves are under seige. The park is not large enough to encompass most of the packs' full habitat and range. Hunting allowed within the park has reduced their natural food supply. When they roam out of the park, as most do every winter in search of food, they are shot, trapped and snared in large numbers. In fact, human predation is so intense that it has disrupted the complex interrelationships of these highly social animals. The territories, denning sites and stability of the Algonquin packs are all being negatively affected.
The wolf epitomizes North American wilderness. The attitude that wolves are vicious pests that must be controlled or eradicated is part of the anti-wilderness ethic that must be countered with facts about wolves and their essential role in keeping prey species genetically healthy.
Halting all logging, putting the logging access roads "to bed" and allowing logged sites to revert to mature forest are important measures that must be taken to help assure the Algonquin wolves' long term survival. Wolves must also get more protection outside the park.
Approximately 4,400 moose currently live in Algonquin Park. Aquatic feeding sites, like the one shown above, are important in the summer. In tough winters, mature coniferous forest is essential for moose cover and shelter. Photo:Jennifer Beale
