Provincial wildlife authorities are pleased with sightings of unusual canids, such as coyotes and wolves, as they continue to monitor and seek to enhance their understanding of these animals’ presence on the island of Newfoundland and in Labrador.
Recent attention was drawn to the possibility of wolves on the island when Nikita Compton shared online images of a small pack of animals near Goose Arm, prompting speculation about whether they could be a hybrid of coyotes and dogs, or even coyotes and wolves.
Although it is challenging to definitively identify the animals without testing, wildlife officials aim to gain a better understanding of the overall canid population.
The Department of Forestry, Agriculture, and Lands of Newfoundland and Labrador, responsible for the Wildlife Division, mentioned a Newfoundland wolf, believed to be a separate subspecies from the Labrador wolf, which became extinct in the 1930s. However, Labrador gray wolves have been more recently observed on the island, with documented cases in 2008 and 2012.
Since 2013, the Wildlife Division has been studying the movement of these animals. Genetic analysis has been conducted on approximately 500 canid carcasses in the province, revealing a mix of coyote and domestic dog ancestry in five animals, while four animals from the island were confirmed as Labrador wolves. Notably, 28 samples showed evidence of wolf DNA.
Additional genetic testing is pending on 427 samples collected from deceased animals between 2023 and 2025.
The province mentioned that while wolves on the island have likely interbred with coyotes, the larger coyote population suggests that wolf genetics are likely diluted within the island’s canid population. Identifying the genetic background of a coyote based on appearance alone is challenging, as coyotes vary naturally in size, color, and body proportions.
The province welcomes interest in the canid mystery, as it could aid ongoing research on animal life in the region. Hunters and trappers are encouraged to submit coyote and wolf carcasses for analysis to understand the impacts of coyote colonization on the island and the potential factors enabling wolves to migrate from Labrador.
In Labrador, efforts are underway to increase the number of canid samples to improve the detection of animals with wolf genetic ancestry.
It is important for the public to remember that coyotes and wolves are rarely aggressive towards humans. However, people should not approach or feed wild animals. If encountering a coyote or wolf, it is advised to remain calm, avoid running, make noise, appear larger by waving arms, and slowly back away if the animal persists.
The provincial wildlife department also highlights the importance of reporting any encounters with coyotes or wolves for further monitoring and study.