Extensive wolf populations have continued to exist across much of Ontario since before European settlement in North America. Main prey for wolves there are moose, caribou, deer and beaver.
Species Information
Species
Common Name: gray wolf, western wolf, loup (French)
Latin Name:
Canis lupus
Location: Great Lakes Area and northern Ontario
Photo: Gerry Sibel, Maya at IWC
Potential species designation under debate by the scientific community:
Common Name: eastern wolf, timber wolf
Latin Name:
Canis lycaon
C. lupus and the potential C. lycaon
are indistinguishable from each other physically, behaviorally and
ecologically. The only way to tell the difference between them is a
genetic test and comparison.
Location: Great Lakes Area and eastern Ontario
Current Wolf Population, Trend, Status
Number of wolves: 8,500 - 9,000
Population trend: Increasing
Legal status: The wolf is a game species throughout this region
