Concerned residents have been reaching out to Lake of Bays municipal staff regarding sightings of either wolves or coyotes in the Finlayson ward area, prompting the municipality to issue a media release.
The Township is reminding residents that the Algonquin-area wolf, also known as the Eastern Wolf, inhabits regions including Finlayson, Franklin, and Sinclair wards. This species is protected under the Endangered Species Act, 2007. As it is difficult to distinguish between the Eastern Wolf from other species, Ontario has prohibited hunting and trapping of both wolves and coyotes in the core Eastern Wolf occurrence areas.
It is crucial for residents to take steps to prevent unwanted interactions with wildlife. The Government of Ontario recommends the following precautions to minimize conflicts with wildlife:
- Keep dogs inside at night.
- Clean up after your dog — coyotes are attracted to dog feces.
- Spay and neuter your dogs – coyotes are attracted to, and can mate with, domestic dogs that have not been spayed or neutered.
- Keep pet food indoors.
- Do not let your dogs roam from your property.
- Fence your property with a two-meter-high fence that extends at least 20 centimetres underground.
- Always keep yourself, your family, and your pets a safe distance away from wildlife.
- Do not feed wildlife or touch wildlife droppings.
- Leave orphaned wild animals alone.
- Do not approach or touch a sick or dead animal.
If you spot a coyote in the Township of Lake of Bays, you are encouraged to report the sighting on www.coyotewatchcanada.com.
For further resources, the Government of Ontario’s website provides comprehensive advice on living with wildlife and protecting your property as well as avoiding conflicts with wolves, coyotes, and foxes.
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Joan Read says
Protected or not if the thing comes up on my deck again I will do everything I can to destroy it.
HAROLYN HUSSAIN says
I agree with Joan above !!!
Barbara Waite says
It’s unfortunate that some people feel that one of their neighbours, who has the same rights to live in their home as humans do, must be destroyed.
There is much information available about co-existing with wildlife. Please read it and put it into action.
As I often see wolves quite close to my house, and even cougar, I’ve learned that a loud voice and movement always sends them away.
The other option for those people who don’t understand the responsibility of respectfully living with wildlife, is to find another place to live.
Nancy Long says
Maybe a more urbanized environment is necessary for people. The wolf will move on.
Barbara Waite says
To Joan and Harolyn, and anyone else who feels as they do, and seems to be afraid of wolves…
I regret that I suggested that you could live somewhere else. You have as much right to live here as anyone.
So do the wolves.
Treating wildlife with respect, understanding and caution – not being fearful – is the realistic and responsible way for all of us to live together.
Allen Markle says
Coyotes and coy-dog cross may be of questionable temperament, but I was never fearful of wolves. They have always been in the area, choosing to be here, but out of sight. We have had a wolf dig mice out of a stump pile, no more that 20 yards from our living room window. He chose to remain out of sight ’til he moved on, showing no fear or angst toward our seeing him.
We had wolves in the area when my Dad and Don Boothby logged the Needler property on Lake of Bays, opposite Point Ideal. We would see the tracks in the morning, and sometimes they would cause the horses some agitation. But they caused no harm. Often, people would see them out on the frozen lake. We have a local musician who has song about wolves and a frozen lake. Give it a listen.
My first wolf encounter, I was 12, and alone in our hunting camp on the Big East River, about a mile from the park line. I had remained in the camp when everyone else had gone to Huntsville for the night. It had been my choice to stay, not risking my Mother deciding I should remain home and go to school.
I’d finished my homework, cleaned up, and turned the gas lanterns off. It was snowing a bit, the moon showing and not showing through the gusts. Stretched out on the bunk, a little bit of trepidation crept in, until a long, heartfelt howl brought me alert. Wolf! I knew what a wolf sounded like, had heard them with my parents and grandparents, but now I was on my own.
I went out and stood on the step, listening, ’til it was done, and the cold had crept through my jeans. It was a beautiful sound, drifting down the river with the gusting wind.
Aldo Leopold wrote that a mountain was just a mountain without a bear. I think a lake without the call of a loon is certainly not wilderness, and the night without the occasional howl of a wolf is just darkness. I have written a book for my children and grandchildren, and my first solo encounter with the wolf is one of the stories.
These things were common-place, here, when I was young. I was taught to respect the wild things; to be cautious and aware, but certainly not to fear them. Some people cause me to be fearful. More so than any wolf.
Jane Hudel says
Look how that animal is enjoying the sun. Please remember the animals got here before we did in most cases. This is THEIR home. Surely there are better ways to get along with animals than to kill or starve them. Afraid of them ? Yes, but I feel they are just trying to survive the same as we are. Something for humans and wildlife management to think about. It has been debated for years. Time to get an answer and plan.
Brian Tapley says
The only time I’ve been truly afraid of animals is when walking in a subdivision in Florida. Every house had a dog, some big and loud. Always they would come charging out and one never knew if they would stop, be friendly or chew your leg off.
As for wolves, I see them around on our trail system during the seasons. Some have been quite close, like 20 or 30 feet but they just seemed curious about what I was and what I was doing and as soon as I talked they just moved away. They never seemed threatening like dogs do.
On the other hand cottagers all seem to have a dog or two. They just let them bark continuously and seem not to notice. Sometimes I wonder if the wolves will eat a few dogs to improve the environment.
Jane Hudel says
Reading the posts after my first one plus Mr. Markle’s. Glad to read there are people who basically think the way I do.
2023 will go down as the year of the compulsory bear bin. $1000 plus for a garbage can. That is what we had to pay. Two bears have been seen in my area in the last 35-40 years. Ironically, a poor young starving one this year. Note the word starving. I am more concerned that it was starving then having my garbage on the ground. Oh yes, recycled garbage has to be disposed of in clear plastic bags…bought from the grocery store which for environmental reasons only packs groceries in non plastic. Oh my! They do not like people’s garbage mixed together in the old collector bins ….contamination. However, as soon as it gets into the garbage truck…it’s all mixed…??
JOE A MARTIN says
What a pile of crap, they should be shot on site and trapped like they were once were. They have killed everything in the bush there isn’t anything left maybe a chickadee every thing else is gone. Pretty bad when you can’t live off the land anymore
DAVID WALKER says
Some of the anti-wolf comments are ridiculously wrong.
I love the sound of the wolf’s howling at night.
Dogs are really catered to in our society when they are allowed in stores and Algonquin Park. Treated better than children in some cases.
Sean Hogan says
God speed mother nature
John Streight says
What’s the big deal, nature at its finest, they are in our neighbourhood in Huntsville, they enjoy nature’s treats by keeping down the rodents among other things.