Provincial wildlife authorities are pleased with the reports of uncommon canids – such as coyotes and wolves – as they persist in monitoring and striving to enhance their understanding of these animals’ existence on the island and in Labrador.

The concept of wolves on the island was brought to attention recently when Nikita Compton shared images online of a small group of animals near Goose Arm, situated between Deer Lake and Corner Brook, sparking curiosity. Could they be a form of coyote and dog mix, or even coyote and wolf?

While wildlife officials acknowledge that identifying the animals without testing is challenging, they aim to gain a better comprehension of the overall canid population.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Department of Forestry, Agriculture and Lands, responsible for the Wildlife Division, mentioned in an email that a Newfoundland wolf, believed to be distinct from the Labrador wolf, became extinct in the 1930s. However, Labrador gray wolves have more recently been observed on the island, with initial sightings in 2008 and 2012.

Since 2013, the Wildlife Division has been researching their movements. Genetic data from approximately 500 canid carcasses in the province have been acquired by biologists. Among these, five animals exhibited a mix of coyote and domestic dog ancestry, while four animals were confirmed as Labrador wolves from the island. Additionally, 28 samples showed evidence of some level of wolf DNA.

There are 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 interbred with coyotes. However, due to the larger coyote population, the wolf genetics are likely to remain diluted within the island’s canid population.

The staff also highlighted the challenges in determining the genetic background of a coyote solely based on appearance, as coyotes vary naturally in size, coloration, and body proportions. They emphasized that an individual coyote’s appearance may not necessarily indicate a recent wolf or dog hybrid.

The interest in the canid mystery is encouraged as it could aid the ongoing research into the province’s wildlife. Hunters and trappers are incentivized to submit coyote and wolf carcasses for research purposes, providing insights into the impact of coyote colonization on the island and the factors enabling wolves to migrate from Labrador to the island.

Efforts are being made to increase the number of canid samples from Labrador to enhance the detection of animals with wolf genetic ancestry.

In Labrador, hunters and trappers are urged to contact the Wildlife Division regarding canid carcasses, emphasizing that the research efforts extend beyond the island.

Provincial wildlife authorities advise the public that coyotes and wolves rarely exhibit aggression towards humans. However, individuals should avoid encouraging contact with or feeding wild animals. If encountering a coyote or wolf, it is recommended to remain calm, avoid running, make noise to deter the animal, and back away slowly if necessary.

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