The Grey Wolf(Canis lupus)The Grey Wolf, sometimes called the Timber Wolf, is estimated to have a population of between 8,000 and 10,000 individuals in the Province of Ontario, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources. This figure could be wildly inaccurate as it is only an estimate which was made over 40 years ago! Although once abundant over much of North America, Europe and Asia, the Gray Wolf now inhabits only a small portion of its former range. 
This is because of widespread forest clearance and farmland development, the movement of humans into its habitat, and the resulting human-wolf encounters that spark fear and often the destruction of these animals. It is also not known how many of these animals are living in the more populated, southern part of their range. Although Wolves are more common in the North, there are sightings of Grey Wolves in Southern Ontario and small packs appear to have survived here or have made their way into the area in recent years. In early February 2009, on County Road 52, between Aylmer and Springfield, Ontario, I spotted a large, wolf-like animal running along the side of the road beside the snow-drifts - I'm not sure if this was a Coyote or not, but it was being chased by two large dogs, so I hope it got away. There was nowhere for the animal to run to get off the road, until it came to a gap in the snow, when it bounded through the space and leaped over the snowdrift, and headed for the woodland nearby!
Population figures alone are not the only indicator for the long-term survival of the Grey Wolf population. Human activity, including hunting and trapping can affect wolf behavior and the social integrity of the wolf pack. There are, however, protected areas for Wolves in the Province of Ontario, which are off-limits to hunters & trappers. None of these are in the southern part of the province, so the Wolves which find themselves here, are on their own, so to speak! Mating usually occurs between January and April, the farther north, the later it occurs, with a pack usually producing a single litter. A pack usually only produces a single litter unless the breeding male mates with more than one female, however normally, only the dominant pair mate and produce pups.
Have you seen Wolves in Southern Ontario?
Are there Wolves near where you live? What Other Visitors Have SaidClick below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...
Saw Wolves as a child in Brechin, Ontario - 25 yrs ago
Wolf sighting in North London, - Fanshawe Road east of the Walmart
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Wolf Spotted
Rondeau Park
99% sure its a Wolf
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The Black Wolf of St Jacobs
Wolf spotted in Wheatley Ontario
Black Wolf
The deep pitched howl of Wolves.
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Wolf Sighting On Welland Canal Parkway St. Catharines
Eastern Ontario Wolves
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Coyote in Malcolmson park St.Catharines Ontario
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The Mystery of the Pawprint!
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A City Wolf, believe it or not...
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Maybe a Wolf
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Possible Wolf sighting?
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Wolf spotted in Rockwood
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Seeing a Wolf - the perfect start to my day
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Wolves near Brock University in St. Catharines.
Not rated yet Information concerning wolves in Ontario
Haliburton Forest Wolf Centre
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In Ontario approximately 500 wolves are trapped every year for the commercial sale of their pelts, but there are no accurate records of how many wolves are hunted every year or killed because they were viewed as vermin or a threat on private property.
