John A. Nagy, Nicholas C. Larter, Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Government of the Northwest Territories, Bag Service #1, Inuvik, NT X0E 0T0, Canada

There is limited information on the status of arctic wolves inhabiting the Canadian High Arctic Archipelago. Since 1987 the Inuvialuit Harvest Study has documented wolf harvest in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region (ISR). Since 1992 the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development (DRWED) has documented harvest and collected harvested wolf carcasses and wolf scats from Banks Island. More recently (1998) wolf scats and harvested wolf carcasses have been collected from NW Victoria and Melville Islands. We have interviewed local resident hunters and trappers about their encounters with wolves and have compiled all historical wolf observations including those associated with the many muskox and caribou populations surveys conducted on these islands.

Based upon harvest information, interviews, and observations there appears to be a healthy arctic wolf population on Banks Island, with numbers higher during the late 1990's than during the early 1990's. Prior to 1993 the annual harvest on Banks Island was <10 animals; subsequently the annual harvest has ranged from 15-50 animals with no noticeable change in hunting effort. Wolves are often sighted within the community of Sachs Harbour. Wolf numbers also appear to have increased more recently on NW Victoria Island. Prior to 1993 the annual harvest of wolves by the community of Holman on NW Victoria Island was generally ¾ 5 animals; subsequently the annual harvest has generally been „ 8 animals. Wolves are more frequently sighted within the community. Wolves are present on western Melville Island but to what extent is unknown; Melville Island has no community.

Based upon stomach and scat contents the diet of arctic wolves is predominantly muskoxen. This is not surprising since muskox numbers on these 3 islands exceed 70,000. However, arctic wolves also prey on endangered Peary caribou (Rangifer tarandus pearyi) and given an abundant alternate prey source there is concern that even limited wolf predation on Peary caribou may be a factor in their continued population decline on Banks Island and low numbers on NW Vistoria Island. Collared lemmings (Dicrostonyx torquatus) are a prominent small mammal prey.