Provincial officials responsible for wildlife management are pleased to receive reports of uncommon canids, such as coyotes and wolves, as they actively monitor and seek to enhance their understanding of these animals’ presence on the island and in Labrador.
Recently, attention turned to the possibility of wolves on the island when Nikita Compton shared images online of a small group of animals near Goose Arm, located between Deer Lake and Corner Brook, sparking curiosity. Speculation arose regarding whether these animals were a hybrid of coyotes and dogs or even coyotes and wolves.
While confirming the identity of these animals without testing is challenging, wildlife authorities aim to gain a better grasp of the overall canid population. The Department of Forestry, Agriculture, and Lands of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, responsible for overseeing the Wildlife Division, reported that a Newfoundland wolf, believed to be distinct from the Labrador wolf, is now extinct, having disappeared in the 1930s. However, Labrador gray wolves have more recently been observed on the island, with sightings in 2008 and 2012.
Since 2013, the Wildlife Division has been studying the movement of these canids. Biologists have analyzed genetic data from approximately 500 wolf and coyote carcasses collected in the province. Among these, five animals exhibited a mixed ancestry of coyote and domestic dog, while four animals from the island were confirmed as Labrador wolves. Notably, 28 samples showed evidence of some level of wolf DNA.
There are an additional 427 samples from deceased animals collected between 2023 and 2025, awaiting genetic testing results. According to the staff, genetic evidence indicates that wolves on the island have likely interbred with coyotes, but due to the larger coyote population, the wolf genetics are expected to remain diluted within the canid population of the island.
The Department staff emphasized the challenge of determining the genetic background of a coyote solely by visual inspection, noting their natural diversity in size, coloration, and body proportions. While individual coyotes may not conform to typical characteristics of the species, it does not necessarily imply recent hybridization with wolves or dogs.
Interest in the mystery surrounding these canids is encouraged, as it has the potential to contribute to ongoing research on animal life in the province. Hunters and trappers are incentivized to submit coyote and wolf carcasses to help authorities gather information on the impact of coyotes on the island and understand the movement of wolves from Labrador to the island.
Efforts are underway to increase the number of canid samples from Labrador to enhance the detection of animals with wolf genetic ancestry. The focus is not solely on the island, as hunters and trappers in Labrador are urged to report canid carcasses to the Wildlife Division.
Regarding encounters with coyotes or wolves, provincial wildlife authorities remind the public that these animals seldom display aggression towards humans. However, people should avoid encouraging contact with or feeding wild animals. In the event of an encounter, individuals are advised to remain calm, avoid running, and make noise if the animal approaches, such as yelling or clapping. Additionally, waving arms to appear larger and slowly backing away is recommended if the animal does not leave.
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