Provincial wildlife authorities are pleased with the sightings of uncommon canids, such as coyotes and wolves, as they continue to monitor and seek a deeper understanding of these animals’ presence in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Recent attention was drawn to the possibility of wolves on the island when Nikita Compton shared online images of a small group of animals near Goose Arm, sparking curiosity about whether they were a hybrid of coyotes and dogs, or possibly a mix of coyotes and wolves.
Wildlife officials mentioned the challenge in identifying the animals without testing but expressed their desire to enhance their knowledge of the overall canid population.
According to the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Department of Forestry, Agriculture, and Lands, the Wildlife Division reported a Newfoundland wolf, believed to be distinct from the Labrador wolf, which became extinct in the 1930s. However, Labrador gray wolves have been more recently observed on the island, with documented cases in 2008 and 2012.
Since 2013, the Wildlife Division has been studying the movement of these animals, with genetic analysis conducted on approximately 500 canid carcasses collected in the province. Out of these, five animals showed a mix of coyote and domestic dog ancestry, while four were confirmed as Labrador wolves.
There were indications of wolf DNA in 28 samples, and genetic testing is pending for 427 samples from deceased animals collected between 2023 and 2025.
The province stated that the wolf population on the island remains low, with genetic evidence suggesting interbreeding with coyotes. Despite this, due to the larger population of coyotes, wolf genetics are likely to be diluted within the island’s canid population.
Department staff highlighted the challenges in determining the genetic background of coyotes based on appearance, as coyotes exhibit natural variations in size, color, and body proportions. They emphasized the importance of understanding and assisting ongoing research into animal life in the province.
Hunters and trappers are encouraged to submit coyote and wolf carcasses to aid in gathering information on the impact of coyotes’ presence on the island and studying the movement of wolves from Labrador to the island. Efforts are underway to increase the number of canid samples from Labrador to enhance the detection of animals with wolf genetic ancestry.
Furthermore, the public is reminded that coyotes and wolves are usually not aggressive towards humans. If encountering these animals, it is advisable to remain calm, avoid running, make noise to deter the animal if it approaches, and back away slowly while continuing to make noise if necessary.