Wolf Sighting On Welland Canal Parkway St. Catharines

by Josie
(St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada)

Josie, one of our readers from St Catherines, Ontario, sent us this report - I was driving along the Welland Canal Parkway to Lock 3 Estates tonight at 9pm, when I saw what I thought was a very large dog running at the side of the road near the forest (there is an undeveloped area there which will soon be more townhomes).

I slowed down, which was a good thing because the animal veered onto the road and stopped for a second in the middle of my lane, startled.

I honked my horn like crazy because I was terrified I was about to hit the poor animal and I could see other cars coming from the opposite direction.

Luckily, I scared it back into the forest, but I could tell from the look I got at it and the way it ran, it was very powerful and stealthy when it moved, that it was not a dog and it was too large to be a Coyote.

I came home and looked at images online to be sure and it was most definitely a Wolf! I had no idea that there were Wolves in this area!! I might be a little nervous next time my fiance and I go for an evening walk along the parkway trails!

Thank you so much for your report, Josie, how exciting to experience such a close encounter!

Comments for Wolf Sighting On Welland Canal Parkway St. Catharines

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Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Wolves
by: Anonymous

I have seen and heard wolves along the canal, Thorold area.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Sounded like a Wolf
by: Anonymous

In Niagara Falls I heard what I though was a Coyote but it was a deep sounding howl and for longer period of time that I've heard Coyotes around my house.
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starstarstarstarstar 		Coywolf
by: Michael Niagara

Saw two large sized coywolves today on the Whirlpool Golf Course in Niagara Falls. If you are walking there be alert and if you have a dog with you watch closely. These two had to be be between 80 and 95 lbs. They did not approach us but I suggest not walking there unless the sun is up to help your vision. Keep safe!
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starstarstarstarstar 		Coywolf
by: Anonymous

Corner of Linwell Road and Ontario Street is a massive coywolf (too small for coyote) people are casually taking pics of it and it's growling.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Large white coy wolf in Niagara - spotted twice
by: Anonymous

We live in the Niagara region and have coyotes regularly. Today, we saw a large white coy-wolf or wolf ... twice. It was far too big to be a coyote. NO, it was not a dog! Has an injured leg and wWe have reported it to the Ministry of Natural Resources. For those skeptical of a white "coy wolf" or wolf in the area.. check out this video clip taken in Oakville in November 2019 .. https://unofficialnetworks.com/2020/06/22/wolf-dog-encounter/
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starstarstarstarstar 		Possible coywolf
by: Steve and braxton

Tonight I was walking my dogs by lock 8, on the corner of Main Street W and Killaly Street W in Port Colborne when I believe I saw two coywolves. They were surprisingly big, comparable to my German Shepherd-Boxer mix. My other dog is a Saint Bernard and the coywolves didn’t seem to be very intimidated by us, they approached us and I had to wave my arms and yell to get them to back off.
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starstarstarstarstar 		Believe the Eastern coyotes are what people are seeing
by: Anonymous

There have been numerous sightings now in my neighborhood of large coyotes which are likely the eastern coyote or coywolf if you prefer that.they are about 20 lbs heavier then a coyote it's quite beautiful if you see one the fact that life finds a way is very apparent here as wolves were being eradicated they chose to breed with coyotes and now we have the coywolf part coyote and about 35 per cent wolf live in packs usually around 6 members big .they have a howl but it's pitch is different to that of the wolf,they are beautiful creatures who are trying their best to survive alongside of humans.just watch your house pets as outdoor cats are no match for them and if your pup is outside in fenced yard be out in yard also as the coywolf can easily get up and over a 6 to 8 foot fence
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starstarstarstarstar 		Sighting in Port Colborne
by: DavidAnonymous

I came across a Wolf on my cycle ride at the corner of Clarence St. And Cement Rd. In Port Colborne. It was heading in a SW direction. Large animal ...beautiful coating.
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starstar 		Not Wolves
by: Kyle

You crazy people are allowing your imaginations to get carried away. There are NO wolves in St. Catharines. Take 5 minutes and research where wolves are found in Ontario. You are seeing dogs or coyotes. The St. Catharines wolves are as much of threat as Freddy Krueger. Fear not, the mystical wolves of St. Catharines will not harm you! This I can guarantee!!!
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starstarstarstarstar 		Black Wolves on Boyle Rd
by: Anonymous

In February 2020 I was standing between my truck and barn when 2 black wolves ran past me, about 60 ft. away, which I could not believe. Since then I have seen 3 black wolves running through my field and my neighbors fields. Today. I was checking out the soy beans and I took pictures of their footprints in the mud.
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starstarstarstarstar 		Black Wolves ?
by: Barry

I Was on my porch in West Lincoln and I had 2 Deer run past my property which was cool I don't see many...This was in the daytime around Noonish...Then about 2 mins later 2 BIG Black Wolves or something was on their trail going after them...Me & my King Shepherd watched on in amaze...Not sure if they got them or not...
My Road is Boyle Rd. near Hwy20...
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starstarstarstarstar 		Timber Wolf
by: Anonymous

I live on Niagara Parkway in Chippawa and saw 2 different colored Timber Wolves, one grey and the other dark brown in behind my backyard, making me nervous. I was told that they are making their way down from Algonquin Park. Was told also that there is a den of them in Niagara on the Lake on Lakeshore Road.
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starstarstarstarstar 		Coyote
by: Kevin

October 4 2019, saw a coyote at the corner of beamer and Niagara st.at 11:45 pm. I was walking my jack russell and I picked my dog up and shined my flashlight at him and he ran off.
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starstarstarstarstar 		Wolf sighting in Wainfleet
by: Elaine

A wolf ran in front of me while walking north on Rathfon Rd near Lakeshore Rd. Grey in colour.
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starstarstarstarstar 		Wolf sighting!
by: Anonymous

May 29, 2019. A Wolf crossed over Point Abino Rd. Between Hwy 3 and Nertherby Rd. Beautiful creature! Looked back at me as it trotted into a field. :)
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starstarstarstarstar 		Coyote Sighting
by: Anonymous

My husband and friend were taking our dog for a walk to the park at Cushman Rd and Welland Canal Parkway. A coyote was in the bushes.
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starstarstarstarstar 		Wolf Sighting
by: johnAnonymous

My wife and I were driving near to the Merritville Speedway when we saw what had to have been a Wolf strolling across an open field. Another car also stopped to view the animal as it disappeared into the woods.
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starstarstarstarstar 		Coyotes
by: Anonymous

At 8:55 pm tonight on Royal Road I was out walking my St Bernard and came across 2 Coyotes on the neighbour's lawn across from my house. I immediately brought my dog in the house and went back outside with the flashlight, I was flashing the light but they wouldn’t leave. Eventually one ran away towards the lake and I proceed to chase the other while flashing my flashlight to make sure it left the neighbourhood. This is the second time in one week they have been on our street.
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starstarstarstarstar 		Coyotes
by: Kevin

Seen two on the corner of Lakeshore Road and Niagara Street at 11:45 pm. I was walking my Jack Russel terrier and I shined a flashlight at them and blowing my whistle they ran off.
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starstarstarstarstar 		Get out of the apartment
by: Anonymous

The Niagara Wolves are all over the area. They run in small family packs 4 - 6 individuals. They run the rail lines and stream beds. About 120 lb, 5 1/2 feet long. Wolves in west St Catharines? Yup.
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starstarstarstarstar 		Coyote Sighting
by: Sarah

Had to make an emergency stop on Vine Street near Scott Street at 3 pm when a Coyote booked it across the road.
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starstarstarstarstar 		Coywolf sighting
by: Anonymous

I have been seeing the same coywolf for the past 2 months, lately just about every day. I am backing onto the Royal Niagara Golf Course. This animal walks during the day amongst the golfers, and it is quite skinny. Not sure what would happened if he gets cornered. :(
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starstarstarstarstar 		2 Coyotes crossing the street
by: Anonymous

I saw two Coyotes crossing the street in St Catharines to the park. This was around 10 pm coming home from work.
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starstarstarstarstar 		Welland Coyotes
by: Anonymous

Exercise caution in Welland south area. I'm use to seeing coyotes once in while but they have grown in numbers this year. They seem very comfortable and have approached myself and neighbours. I've had a group of three in my backyard. Keep yourself, kiddos and pets safe.
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starstarstarstarstar 		Coyotes in Lincoln Ontario.
by: Anonymous

A pair of coyote-type of canines regularly patrols our property on Lake Ontario just west of St Catharines. They have been in our driveway in daylight. They are about the size of a small to medium German Shepherd.
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starstarstarstarstar 		They're Heeeere!
by: Anonymous

It is true. There are wolves among us. We saw one last night. It was around 7 pm. We were on our way from Thorold to St. Catharines, driving along the canal. We had just passed the Twin Locks and saw a wolf that had finished crossing the road from the canal to the bush (which led to backyards of a neighbourhood). I have always been a fan of wolves since I was a child. Read many books about them, lots of articles, did school projects on them, have had several pictures of wolves as well. And this particular wolf we saw last night must've sensed that because right before it entered the bush it looked back at me. This sounds strange but it was as if it looked at me, smiled, and then skipped off into the bush. What a rush!
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starstarstarstarstar 		Wolf in Niagara on the Lake
by: Anonymous

Returning home this evening, at around 9 pm, I had to do an emergency stop just metres from my house on East and West Line, Niagara on the Lake, as two Wolves, yes I am calling them Wolves, they were much too large to be Coyotes! Ran out in front of my car. They stopped and ran back in the direction they had come from. I have seen many Coyote around here and they don't make me nervous, the two I saw this evening were large and do make me nervous!
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starstarstarstarstar 		Coy-wolves
by: Brian

Yes they are well and still thriving. We recently saw three behind our home off Martindale Road close to downtown and sightings at the St Catharines Golf Club have also been reported. April 2016
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starstarstarstarstar 		Wolf on Dunn Street
by: Anonymous

I spotted a large Wolf running on Dunn Street in the Falls, it was fast and running beside my car. Very scary.
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starstarstarstarstar 		I saw them too
by: Anonymous

On October 26th I saw what I though was two Wolves. Now it was dark, and I have seen Coyotes as well but they are usually smallish and these 2 were much larger. They were running along "Walker's Creek" going from Lakeshore to Linwell. Luckily they didn't see my little dog or she would have been dinner for them. LOL. I love nature, and hope all the Coyotes and Wolves are left alone so they can keep the deer population under control as well as all the other little rodents they eat.
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starstarstarstarstar 		Beware!!!!! Not all these comments are true
by: Anonymous

Coyote/ Coyote-dog .... generation after generation of breeding in the wild, domestic German Shepherd with a wild coyote - evolution will always remain a constant. All dogs came from a Wolf at one time, so what I am saying is through the course of nature what people are witnessing is a natural course or reverting to origin, a new breed, not actually a Timber or Grey Wolf, but a man made hybrid. Fascinating species, don't be fooled, it's not a wolf ... not yet!
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starstarstarstarstar 		WAY too close for comfort!!!
by: Anonymous

Last week (June 8th) we woke up to our motion light going off in our backyard around 2:30 am. My husband got up and was horrified to see a coywolf/coyote through the family room window on our back deck!!! We believe it was attracted by the smells of our barbeque... How can this bold behaviour not be dangerous to residents?!
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Wolf sighting
by: Janet kerr

Around 1:30 Thursday morning I saw what I thought was a black wolf, big one and that was in Welland just off of Eastmain bridge and a side road digging in someone's garbage can found it alittle scary but cool to see if it really was a wolf.
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starstarstarstarstar 		Don't cry Wolf
by: Anonymous

It is very rare that a Wolf is seen in the day. There are quite large Coyotes and dog packs in the area.
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starstarstarstarstar 		Wolves in Welland
by: Shane

I live in Welland, on the outskirts of town near the Welland Canal. Back in June 2013 I was warned about some coyotes that were walking around. Being the curious type, I went out to see them. They were far too big to be coyotes.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Wolves
by: Anonymous

I live on the Welland Canal in Port Robinson. At 5:30 am leaving my house, I noticed two of what looked like Wolves running down our road. They were massive ..... there definitely are Wolves living in Niagara!
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Just saw two beautiful Coyotes
by: Anonymous

Friday December 12 ~ 9:20 p, two Coyotes came onto Sawmill Road near Wellandvale - they immediately went into the woods that run along the old Niagara College Campus and the Twelve Mile Creek... They are in the city limits - should they be?
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starstarstarstarstar 		Wolf East West Line at Concession 2
by: Anonymous

Too big for a Coyote. Seemed too big for a dog ..... it ambled slowly across the road to sniff garbage put out. I slowed down and drove past it. I'm pretty sure it was a Wolf and not a dog, judging by the size and the fact it had no collar, and was running loose.
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starstarstarstarstar 		Wolves in Niagara
by: Anonymous

Really sorry to inform you non-believers that there are Wolves in the Niagara region. I have also studied Wolves for over 20 years and it is a fact they can be found in rural areas as well in the quiet hours of the night slightly within city limits. True they mostly travel in packs, but there are a few young that choose to go off on their own in search of other packs among other reasons. The distance they travel in their life span is, for the lack of a better word amazing, and really not surprising due to forestation, disease in their food supply as well as smaller numbers due to our interference.
I could go on and on with countless reasons for sightings, I highly doubt they would call this area home so enjoy them while you can.
As for Coyotes, stray dogs they're here to stay. If you seen them and then seen a Wolf you'd know the difference right away. Wolves are very timid animals, they may stop to take a look, but unless cornered are harmless.
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starstarstarstarstar 		Howling Sounds
by: wayne

At the end of January 2014 we were working in Beamsville, aprox 12:00 am. Heard the Coyotes yipping, then out of nowhere heard one long howl. Then all noise stopped. Has any one else heard this. My email is easy.doesit09@hotmail.com
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starstarstarstarstar 		Coyotes in St Catharines
by: Anonymous

I too doubt that there are Wolves in Niagara, but there are definitely several well-fed Coyotes in Port Weller.

I work nights and drive home around 3 am and have seen Coyotes on three separate occasions over the past year. Two instances on Arthur Street, and once crossing Cindy Street where the Cindy Park trail crosses; in that instance, I saw two of them.
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starstarstarstarstar 		Wolf coyoty sittngs
by: Anonymous

I live in St Catharines by the canal parkway and have hiked at night and day on both sides of the canal east and west.
I have heard Coyotes yelping and yipping on the rare occasion and have only seen one for sure.
You would think there would be lots of them - plenty of geese around or maybe that's too much for them?
I don't doubt they're here, I think if people were more careful about the garbage hanging around, these animals should not be fed intentionally, otherwise we would be better off.
We are land gluts.
What would you do if your houses and yards were destroyed and your way of life taken away?
Adapt or die.
As far as single wolf being sighted, it's very hard to tell from a single dog and some mixed breed dogs not, likely a wolf.
WW shouldn't destroy what we don't understand.
WE as humans in general are very good at this.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Wolves in Welland / Fonthill
by: Anonymous

Two mornings ago, my wife and I saw 2 Wolves running along a tree line behind our house. They were only 30 feet from where we stood so we were able to get a really good look at them. Definitely too big for Coyote and definitely not dogs. We were able to watch them for roughly a full minute as they moved along the tree line and stopped every so often to smell.

For anyone who doesn't believe there are Wolves in this region, you are wrong!
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starstarstarstarstar 		Wolves are not dangerous
by: Anonymous

Regardless of Wolves being in Southern Ontario or not, you are safe.

Wolves are not aggressive towards humans, in fact that is ignorant folklore.

Look it up ..... there has never been a Wolf-related death of a human in Canada (excluding Wolves that have been domesticated).
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Coyotes
by: Anonymous

One of our readers comments - I have seen Coyotes many many times in that area and I also see them fairly often at Shorthills. Coyotes are being spotted more and more in Thorold, Niagara Falls and St. Kitts (St Catharines).

So I know for a fact that we have them living in the Niagara region, but definately no Wolves.

I highly doubt it was a stray dog though lol.
Rating
starstarstar 		NOT a wolf
by: Noah Dillon ( wolf studier)

There have been rumers of a coyote in Malcolmson park by lock 1. There have been a few sightings between the residents who live there, saying that it's dangerous to walk in the park in the nightly hours, due to the coyote infestation, which has grown bolder, and comes closer to houses in search of food.
Rating
starstar 		NOT a Wolf!
by: Noah Dillon( wolf studier)

In my studies on Wolves, they do not live this far south due to human termination. Also, Wolves usually travel in packs, and hunt for deer or other large animals, not the ones you would find in a city of St.Catharines.

The canine she saw must have been a stray dog. Sorry for any inconvenience, but you and your fiance can safely walk on the canal trail.

That will be a relief to the residents of St Catherines, although Coyotes are becoming common around residential areas across Southern Ontario, it may possibly have been one of those

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