Jessica Smith
The wolves are back in town, prompting the municipal officials to caution residents against feeding deer and to be mindful of their pets.
The wolf population has risen over the past few years, driven by increasing deer numbers, and it is more common for wolves to follow prey into town, often via the Atikokan River.
A Town by-law prohibiting the feeding of deer was instituted last year in response to an increasing number of deer in the community, and resulting motor vehicle collisions. “If we are aware you are feeding the deer, we may be dropping by to speak to you in that regard,” cautions the Town’s Garth Dyck. “[The wolf problem] really comes back to the deer. It goes hand in hand.”
Although there haven’t been any reported deer kills in town this year (following three last year), residents have reported sightings that are ‘too close for comfort’,” particularly in the north end of town near the municipal landfill.
Cedar Crescent resident Bernadette Danco spotted a wolf on the frozen Straw Hat Creek while walking her dog near her home Tuesday afternoon. The animal was across the street from her and directly behind neighbourhood homes. “It was on the other side of the creek, but on a frozen creek it’s no distance for a wolf [to cover to get to you].”
“We were staring at each other for a little while because I had to make sure my dog didn’t get any closer or go after it. [The wolf] stood at a firm stance, staring at me.”
Luckily, Danco’s mid-sized dog stayed behind her, and after a few moments, the wolf trotted off. This wolf didn’t demonstrate any signs of mange, and appeared healthy, with a good coat of fur, she noted.
Danco said there is abundant wolf sign behind neighbourhood homes and scat (which often contains plastic and other materials, likely from the landfill) 50 yards from their house. What was odd however, was “that it came that close during the day – to have a wolf come out at three in the afternoon on a sunny day.”
She immediately contacted the three local schools, which are ensuring students and staff are vigilant when outside.
North Star School principal Beth Fairfield said staff were made aware of the nearby wolf sighting and told to bring children indoors immediately if any animal that resembled a wolf was spotted. Both she and St. Patrick’s principal Guy Durand said elementary students are trained at the start of the school year to heed the recess staff whistle and to promptly head into the building whenever it is heard. At the high school, students are being cautioned to be careful when walking or snowmobiling on the trails or road behind the AHS.
Wolf sightings and encounters can be reported to the MNR (597-6971) which handles wildlife concerns (in an emergency, call 911).
The Town has also contracted local trapper Albert Clement (who has launched a nuisance animal control business) to trap wolves around the landfill site, where a pack of wolves is believed to be lingering. In previous years, Clement served as wild animal control officer for the Town and trapped nuisance wolves; with the creation of a bylaw enforcement position, that role has now been eliminated. Most municipalities don’t have a WACO position, and refer wild fur-bearing animal complaints to the MNR, and Atikokan has now followed suit, noted Dyck.
Of the wolves Clement has trapped at the landfill site this year, a number have been infected with mange. The condition is passed from between animals through a mite, which results in loss of hair and subsequent loss of body heat, leaving the animal in a weakened state. It could be a factor in the number of wolves in town seeking easily accessible food sources.
Once wolves have been enticed into town in search of deer, pets may become easy prey. Local bylaw enforcement officer Kitrina Jacobson said last week that a dog had been reported missing and cautioned pet owners to keep pets on a leash when walking and even if their pet is tied in the yard, to check on them frequently.
Wolves will lure dogs out – particularly ones not spayed or neutered – during mating season, which occurs from January to April. Even if the dog isn’t killed, its contact with an infected wolf can result in it contracting mange.
Highland Park resident Angie Bradshaw told the CBC last October that her German shepherd nearly died of the disease after coming in contact with wolves.
If a wolf is encountered, the MNR recommends not approaching, or turning your back on the animal. If the wolf approaches back away slowly while waving your arms and making noise, such as blowing a whistle. As in dealing with other nuisance wildlife, make sure garbage is stored securely.
For more information on how to deter wolves or what to do if a wolf is encountered, go to the Town website, www.atikokan.ca and click on the wildlife link.