• The wolf population in many areas of Canada, like the Central Rocky Mountains, is among the lowest density of wolves in the world, and yet Canada supposedly has one of the highest populations left in the world

• Our protected areas are not big enough to maintain a healthy population of wolves

• The territory of wolf packs living in National Parks often extends OUTSIDE protected areas

• Human-caused mortality is the biggest threat to long-tern health of wolf populations

• As a keystone species(2), wolves maintain balance and diversity within our natural environment.  If we wait to take action, it may be too late to save this ecologically important species, and we will continue to lose biodiversity. 

In 2002 the Central Rockies Wolf Project indicated that out of 12 packs, 9 needed protection beyond the National Parks if ecological integrity were to be maintained without wolves being introduced from other regions (4).  Researcher Carolyn Callahan of the Central Rockies Wolf Project tells us that “very few wolves that occupy  [the Bow Valley region in BNP]  are actually fully protected by national parks” (6)

Although wolves require and adequate prey base, the defining factor in wolf persistence is protection from humans (4).  Human use and access can be directly linked to wolf mortality rates and locations (4).  Where prey abundance is low, human use becomes even more significant to adversely affect wolves.

In 2002 Banff National Park’s wildlife biologist Tom Hurd affirmed that in areas with low ungulate populations, such as Yoho and Kootenay, emphasis needs to be placed on reducing human-caused mortality of wolves, and developing co-ordinated inter-jurisdictional objectives. (2)  Indeed, biologists have recommended that human-caused mortality of wolves must be minimized to manage the decline of wolves in the area.(5)  It has even been suggested that population restoration may be required (5).  We can prevent this from being necessary.

WWF tells us ‘history has shown that, if deliberate efforts are not made to conserve large carnivores, they are doomed.’ (1)  In the past 100 years, the interactions between humans and parts of the ecosystem have changes significantly, resulting in cumulative effects detrimental to wildlife.  On crown land surrounding the parks, there has been an increase of land use for seismic lines, oil and gas and timber (8).

Canada still has one of the healthiest wolf populations in the world.  On a global basis, this provides us with a unique and imperative conservation opportunity as well as responsibility.   As WWF puts it, “Canada has a chance to do something no other country has done: deliberately to conserve healthy wild populations of different types of wolves on one of the last landscapes still capable of supporting such a conservation goal”. (1)  We need a national strategy in order to maintain this situation.

Wolves’ numbers have not declined so far as to be lost….yet.  But their numbers will not remain abundant unless we RESOLVE that they will.  We can learn from the majority of the world that has lost this species, and not make the same mistakes. 

“…species that are secure for now must become a priority because we still have a chance to do things differently with them, and thereby maintain some of the last wild, viable populations of these magnificent animals to be found anywhere in the world.” (1)

Ask yourselves as Canadians; “What has the rest of the world taught us about the fate of wolves?  Are we taking steps to ensure the same thing does not happen to our top predators?”  If not, wolves will soon become endangered as we continue to contribute to the causal factors of their decline.

1. 1. Hummel, M. & Pettigrew, S.1991. Wild Hunters – Predators In Peril. Key Porter Books Ltd.  
2. 2. Hurd, T. White, C., Pengelly, I., & Pacas, C. 2002. Humans, Wolves, Elk, Aspen and Willow (HWEAW) Research Overview. From Proceedings of Humans, Wolves, Elk, Aspen and Willow, and Now Beetles (HWEAW + B) Science Workshop, Session 1: The Current Situation in the Banff Bow Valley. Banff, Alberta.
3. 3. Hebblewhite, M., Nietvelt, C., White, C., McKenzie, J. & Hurd, T. 2002. Wolves As A Keystone Species in Montane Ecosystems of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Proceedings of Humans, Wolves, Elk, Aspen and Willow, and Now Beetles (HWEAW + B) Science Workshop, Session 2: Into The Future: Predation, Predation Risk, and Low Density Prey Populations. Banff, Alberta.
4. 4. Regional Perspectives on Ecosystem Indicators and Issues. 2002. From Proceedings of Humans, Wolves, Elk, Aspen and Willow, and Now Beetles (HWEAW + B) Science Workshop, Evening Session. Banff, Alberta.
5. 5.Dalman, D., Shury, T., & White, C. 2002. Workshop Synthesis. From Proceedings of Humans, Wolves, Elk, Aspen and Willow, and Now Beetles (HWEAW + B) Science Workshop. Banff, Alberta.
6. 6. Ellis, C. 2002. Parks Canada Asks Alberta to Help Protect Wolves. Calgary Herald. Calgary, Alberta.
7. 7. Syme, I. 2003. Chief Park Warden for Banff Field Unit, Parks Canada. Alberta Wildlife Enhancement Society. www.wildlife-enhancement.ca
8. 8.  Alberta Wildlife Enhancement Society. 2003. Co-operation Called For To Save Wolves. www.wildlife-enhancement.ca
9. 9. Kootenay National Park of Canada. 2008. Natural Wonders and Cultural Treasures. Kootenay National Park Website. http://www.parcscanada.com/pn-np/bc/kootenay/natcul/natcul7_E.asp
10. Parks Canada. 2006.
11. 10. Yoho National Park of Canada – Natural Wonders – Wolf Research and Management. www.pc.gc.ca.pn-np/bc/yoho/natcul20_E.asp
12. Parks Canada. 2004.
13. 11. Banff National Park of Canada. How Many Wolves are in Banff National Park? Banff Website
14. 12.Defenders of Wildlife. 2006. Statistics. www.defenders.org
15. Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) Northern Alberta. 2007. Parks Watch Report.
16. 13. Environment Canada, 2006. Canadian Protected Areas Status Report 2000 – 2005. Government of Canada, Gatineau, Quebec.
17. 14. Hebblewhite et al.2005. Human Activity Mediates a Trophic Cascade Caused By Wolves. Ecology 86 (8)
18. 15. Banff National Park of Canada. 2004.HJD
19. Parks Canada Newsletter, Mount Revelstoke and Glacier National Parks of Canada, 2008.