Provincial wildlife authorities are pleased with the reports of unusual canids, including coyotes and wolves, as they continue their efforts to monitor and gain a deeper understanding of these animals’ presence on the island and in Labrador.
The recent discovery of a small pack of animals near Goose Arm, between Deer Lake and Corner Brook, by Nikita Compton, who shared images online, has reignited interest in the possibility of wolves on the island. This has led to speculation about whether these animals could be a hybrid of coyotes and dogs or even coyotes and wolves.
Although identifying these animals without testing is challenging, wildlife officials are eager to enhance their understanding of the overall canid population. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Department of Forestry, Agriculture, and Lands, responsible for the Wildlife Division, revealed that while the Newfoundland wolf subspecies, believed to be distinct from the Labrador wolf, became extinct in the 1930s, Labrador gray wolves have been recently documented on the island, with initial cases reported 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 in the province. Among these, five animals showed a mix of coyote and domestic dog ancestry, while four animals were confirmed as Labrador wolves. Additionally, 28 samples indicated some level of wolf DNA, with genetic testing pending on another 427 samples collected from 2023 to 2025.
Despite evidence suggesting interbreeding between wolves and coyotes on the island, the province noted that due to the larger coyote population, the wolf genetics are likely diluted within the canid population. Identifying the genetic background of a coyote solely based on appearance is challenging, as they naturally vary in size, color, and body proportions.
The province encourages hunters and trappers to submit coyote and wolf carcasses to aid in understanding the impacts of coyote colonization on the island and the movement of wolves from Labrador. Efforts are also underway to increase the number of canid samples from Labrador to enhance the detection of animals with wolf genetic ancestry.
In case of encountering a coyote or wolf, provincial wildlife authorities advise the public to remain calm, avoid running, make noise to deter the animal, and back away slowly if approached. It is emphasized that these animals are rarely aggressive towards humans, and it is crucial not to encourage contact or feed wild animals.
For those in Labrador, hunters and trappers are encouraged to report canid carcasses to the Wildlife Division. The focus is not limited to the island, as efforts are being made to gather data from Labrador as well.
