SOON TO BE OPENED KAWARTHA HIGHLANDS PROVINCIAL PARK IN ONTARIO--A CRITICAL WOLF LINKAGE SOUTH OF ALGONQUIN--AND OUR FRIEND BRENT PATTERSON STUDYING HOW MANY WOLVES,,,,,HOW MANY COYOTES, HOW MANY WOLF/COYOTE HYBRIDS.............BOTTOM LINE IS THAT THEY ALL MAKE DEER AND BEAVER PART OF THEIR DIET DURING THE WINTER MONTHS

This interview between Ontario Parks and Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources research scientist, Brent Patterson first appeared in the June 24, 2010 issue of the Ontario Parks Insider. Brent discusses the wolf research he is conducting in Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park.

NOTE: This park is not yet operational and there are presently no maintained public facilities or services within the park. The 36,587 hectare park is the largest provincial park in Ontario south of Algonquin Park. The long-term protection of its ecological integrity is of utmost importance.

Be Wolf Wise: Wolf Research in Ontario Parks

The wolves of Algonquin and the coyotes in Toronto get a lot of press, but what about the areas where the two species meet? OP Insider sat down with Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources Research Scientist, Brent Patterson, to discuss the wolf research he is conducting at Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park.

Ontario Parks: What research is being done on wolves in the Kawarthas?  
Brent Patterson
Hybridization between eastern wolves and eastern coyotes is common and extensive along the southern edge of wolf distribution in central Ontario.  We have been studying the canids in the Kawartha Highlands area for the past couple of years to:  

• Determine the distribution of wolves, coyotes, and hybrids in the region
• More specifically determine whether wolves or coyotes are the predominate canid species found in the KHSS park
• Determine how many packs of each reside within the park
• Determine if this population is connected with the eastern wolf population in Algonquin
• If coyote packs are found in the area, determine if they are functioning like wolves (i.e. social, pack-living animals, major predators of deer) regardless of what their DNA says they are?

 
Ontario Parks: Have there been any significant findings from the research?
Brent Patterson
There are coyotes, wolves and hybrids found in the park.  Both coyotes and wolves occupy exclusive territories and live in packs ranging in size from 2 – 7.  There are 4 packs living mostly in the KHSS area.  According to the DNA analysis, the pack in the SW corner of the park is essentially comprised of eastern coyotes, whereas the other 3 contain animals that are either eastern wolves or wolf-coyote hybrids.  Although the territories of some of these animals extend beyond the park, if you tally their numbers, about 16 of these canids called the KHSS home in winter 2010.  Regardless of what their DNA says they are, these animals fed primarily on deer and beaver in the winter.   The 2 packs living in the south of the park spent much of the winter south of the park near Hwy 36 where many of the park's deer migrate to spend the winter.  The northern 2 packs maintained similar territories in summer and winter.  The wolves in the north end of KHSS do appear to be genetically connected to Algonquin Park.

Ontario Parks: What should people know about living or travelling where there are wolves?
Brent Patterson
Wolves and coyotes are wild predators and precautions should be taken to avoid attracting these animals.  This can be achieved largely through proper management of food and garbage.  Normal wolf and coyote behaviour is to be fearful of people and to flee when a person is encountered.  If a fearless wolf or coyote is observed, make loud noise to try and scare the animal and make sure it knows you are a human, and then walk away from the animal while keeping your eyes on it.  The incident should be reported to local authorities immediately. 

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Ontario Parks: What are the most common misconceptions about wolves?
Brent Patterson
People think these animals are much more numerous than they really are and that they eat many more deer and beaver than they actually do.

Ontario Parks: Have there been any issues / problems caused by the wolves in the Kawarthas?
Brent Patterson
Not to my knowledge, other than the fact that many hunters and trappers believe these animals are reducing numbers of deer and beavers in the area. 
Ontario Parks: Anything the public should know about the research / anyway they can help / should they report a sighting?
Brent Patterson
Sightings of radio-collared animals should be reported to the local MNR office.  Details regarding where the sighting occurred, what the animal was doing when sighted, how many others were with it are very helpful.