Wolves and Coyotes in the Oakville area

While driving in November 2012, on Dorval Road, right at Upper Middle Road, a definite Wolf cut across all lanes of traffic on Dorval, one lane of which I was in.

I could clearly see the animal due to the spotlight of the multiple cares on the road that night and that thing was massive. It was bigger than a large male German Shepherd and totally wild-looking.

There is no way it was someone's house pet. It looked healthy and very strong and it took off like a bolt of lightning, moving so fast you could only make out a very large blurry animal and then it was gone.

There is no way it could have been anything but a Wolf. I knew that it was within 1 millisecond of seeing it! I think by instinct I must have been able to very quickly recognize it. Seeing this thing rip across all lanes of traffic that night was totally exhilarating.

I told people what I saw and most people said it was probably a Coyote, but there was no mistaking it. It was way too big to be a Coyote, this thing looked like it could take down any large dog, it was a huge, powerful animal and I would never approach it outside of my vehicle.

I have since seen a baby Coyote almost run into a person's house as they left their door open while they were putting their coats on, just about to leave the house! I mentioned to them that a young Coyote was making his way inside and he should close the door, which he did and the thing ran off. This occurred near Forsythe and Lakeshore last year, at Kerr and Speers Road.

At around 3:00 am in mid-April 2015 I saw a large Coyote running up the middle of Kerr Street, as I was driving across Speers Road. It took off running through the parking lot of the Food Basics Plaza and headed towards the train track by the Roxbury.

Having had these close encounters I have grown concerned about large predators moving into town. Due to all the housing development that has occurred over the years, I think much of the wildlife in Southern Ontario is being displaced and is becoming more and more settled in urban environments.

People should be made more aware of potential encounters and possible threats - especially children.

I think it would be a very good initiative for the government to put together a re-location plan for animals like Foxes, Coyotes and most of all, Wolves and Bears.