Provincial wildlife authorities are pleased to receive reports of uncommon canids, such as coyotes and wolves, as they endeavor to monitor and gain a deeper understanding of these animals’ presence on the island and in Labrador.
The topic of wolves on the island resurfaced recently when Nikita Compton stumbled upon and shared images online of a small group of animals near Goose Arm, situated between Deer Lake and Corner Brook, sparking curiosity. Speculation arose whether they were a type of coyote-dog hybrid or even a mix of coyote and wolf.
Although wildlife officials find it challenging to identify the animals without testing, they aim to enhance their comprehension of the overall canid population.
The Department of Forestry, Agriculture, and Lands of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, which oversees the Wildlife Division, mentioned in an email that there was once a Newfoundland wolf, believed to be distinct from the Labrador wolf, but the subspecies became extinct in the 1930s. However, Labrador gray wolves have been more recently sighted on the island, with occurrences documented in 2008 and 2012.
Since 2013, the Wildlife Division has been researching the movement of these animals. Genetic findings from around 500 canid carcasses collected in the province have revealed that while some animals showed a mix of coyote and domestic dog ancestry, four animals from the island were confirmed as Labrador wolves. Furthermore, 28 samples exhibited traces of wolf DNA.
There are an additional 427 samples from deceased animals gathered between 2023 and 2025, awaiting genetic testing results.
According to department staff, genetic evidence indicates that wolves on the island have interbred with coyotes. However, due to the larger coyote population, estimated in the thousands, the wolf genetics are likely to remain diluted within the island’s canid population.
The staff also highlighted the challenge of determining a coyote’s genetic background solely by appearance, as coyotes naturally vary in size, color, and body proportions. They emphasized that an atypical-looking coyote does not necessarily signify a recent wolf or dog hybrid.
The interest in understanding the canid mystery is encouraged, as it could contribute to ongoing research on animal life in the province. Hunters and trappers are incentivized to submit coyote and wolf carcasses to provide information on the impact of coyotes’ presence on the island and the potential factors enabling wolves to migrate from Labrador to the island.
Efforts are underway to increase the number of canid samples from Labrador to enhance the ability to detect animals with wolf genetic lineage.
In Labrador, hunters and trappers are urged to contact the Wildlife Division regarding canid carcasses, as the focus is not solely on the island.
Regarding encounters with coyotes or wolves, provincial wildlife authorities remind the public that these animals rarely display aggression towards humans. Nevertheless, people should avoid fostering contact with wildlife or feeding wild animals.
If encountering a coyote or wolf, it is recommended to remain calm, refrain from running, make noise to deter the animal if it approaches, such as yelling or clapping, and appear larger by waving arms. If the animal persists, continue making noise while slowly backing away.
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