Algonquin Wolves
Algonquin Park is the largest protected area for wolves in Ontario. However, many wolves from Algonquin were killed by people while following migratory deer out of the Park during the 1980s and 90s. A moratorium on wolf harvesting in the 39 townships surrounding the Park was implemented in November 2001.
During 2002-06 we radio-tagged 189 wolves, including 76 pups, to assess the effects of the harvest ban on wolf population dynamics. During early winters 2002-05 median pack size was 4.5, 4.5, 5, 4.75 in western Algonquin, and 4.5, 4.5, and 5 during 2003-05 in Eastern Algonquin, respectively. Overall pack sizes observed during 2002-05 appear similar to those observed during 1990-96, but larger than observed during the late 1990s.
Similarly, wolf densities have remained relatively stable following the ban (2.5-3 wolves/ 100 km2). Some packs declined in size from one winter to the next despite high adult survival and confirmed presence of pups during the previous summer. Annual dispersal rates of yearling and adult wolves rose from ~10% the first year following the ban to ~25% during the next three years.
Twenty-four radio-collared yearling and adult wolves have died during the study period with the deaths of 18 of those animals attributable to natural causes (e.g. intra-specific strife, malnutrition, mange). This is in stark contrast to the 1990s when ~2/3 of wolf mortality was attributable to humans. During the first year following the ban yearling and adult survival was >92% but this rate declined to <80% during subsequent years owing to an increase in natural mortality. That relatively high survival is apparently being offset by high dispersal with little overall change in wolf density suggests wolf densities in the Park may presently be self-regulated at a level suitable for the present abundance of prey.
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