Be Wolf Wise: Wolf Research in Ontario Parks

Ontario Parks Insider

The wolves of Algonquin and the coyotes in Toronto get a lot of press, but what about the areas where the two species meet? OP Insider sat down with Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources Research Scientist, Brent Patterson, to discuss the wolf research he is conducting at Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park.

OP Insider: What research is being done on wolves in the Kawarthas?
 
Brent Patterson
Hybridization between eastern wolves and eastern coyotes is common and extensive along the southern edge of wolf distribution in central Ontario.  We have been studying the canids in the Kawartha Highlands area for the past couple of years to:
 

  • Determine the distribution of wolves, coyotes, and hybrids in the region
  • More specifically determine whether wolves or coyotes are the predominate canid species found in the KHSS park
  • Determine how many packs of each reside within the park
  • Determine if this population is connected with the eastern wolf population in Algonquin
  • If coyote packs are found in the area, determine if they are functioning like wolves (i.e. social, pack-living animals, major predators of deer) regardless of what their DNA says they are?

 
OP Insider: Have there been any significant findings from the research?

Brent Patterson
There are coyotes, wolves and hybrids found in the park.  Both coyotes and wolves occupy exclusive territories and live in packs ranging in size from 2 – 7.  There are 4 packs living mostly in the KHSS area.  According to the DNA analysis, the pack in the SW corner of the park is essentially comprised of eastern coyotes, whereas the other 3 contain animals that are either eastern wolves or wolf-coyote hybrids.  Although the territories of some of these animals extend beyond the park, if you tally their numbers, about 16 of these canids called the KHSS home in winter 2010.  Regardless of what their DNA says they are, these animals fed primarily on deer and beaver in the winter.   The 2 packs living in the south of the park spent much of the winter south of the park near Hwy 36 where many of the park’s deer migrate to spend the winter.  The northern 2 packs maintained similar territories in summer and winter.  The wolves in the north end of KHSS do appear to be genetically connected to Algonquin Park. 

OP Insider: What should people know about living or travelling where there are wolves?

Brent Patterson
Wolves and coyotes are wild predators and precautions should be taken to avoid attracting these animals.  This can be achieved largely through proper management of food and garbage.  Normal wolf and coyote behaviour is to be fearful of people and to flee when a person is encountered.  If a fearless wolf or coyote is observed, make loud noise to try and scare the animal and make sure it knows you are a human, and then walk away from the animal while keeping your eyes on it.  The incident should be reported to local authorities immediately. 

OP Insider: What are the most common misconceptions about wolves?

Brent Patterson
People think these animals are much more numerous than they really are and that they eat many more deer and beaver than they actually do.

OP Insider: Have there been any issues / problems caused by the wolves in the Kawarthas?

Brent Patterson
Not to my knowledge, other than the fact that many hunters and trappers believe these animals are reducing numbers of deer and beavers in the area. 

OP Insider: Anything the public should know about the research / anyway they can help / should they report a sighting?

Brent Patterson
Sightings of radio-collared animals should be reported to the local MNR office.  Details regarding where the sighting occurred, what the animal was doing when sighted, how many others were with it are very helpful.

Featured Park - Sleeping Giant

Ontario Parks Insider

Thunder Bay residents believe that Sleeping Giant, which makes up a large portion of the Sibley Peninsula along the north shore of Lake Superior, should have won top honours in the CBC Radio’s 2008 Seven Wonders of Canada contest. The Giant received over 177,000 audience member votes but “the canoe” was selected by the jury as the winner. The legend behind the Giant alone stirs up enough mysticism to justify winning the award.

The Ojibway claim the vivid mesas, looking like a sleeping body of a giant with its arms folded across its chest, is Nanabijou, son of the west wind. In one version of the legend, the spirit creature was transformed to stone after his people told “traders” of the secret silver mine nearby, now know as Silver Islet. Read more on the Legend of the Giant here.

Sleeping Giant is a powerful presence for residents of Thunder Bay and the surrounding area. Their passion for the Giant was reflected in their lobbying efforts to vote the Giant to the top of CBC’s list.

It’s not only the locals of Thunder Bay who think the Giant is special. Backpackers heading out from the main campground at Sleeping Giant Provincial Park to hike even a portion of the extensive trail network on top the rock peninsula are in awe. A lucky, more adventurous few get to see the Giant from a unique perspective – the seat of a kayak in the waters of Lake Superior.

From a kayak one can witness the pure grandeur of this place; gliding by formations of layered rock dating back 1.7 billion years, housing dramatic cliff faces, some of the highest in the province of Ontario and some of the rarest ferns and orchids on the planet.

Planning your trip

Lake Superior is a great destination for kayakers that are up to the challenge, with huge stretches of coastline, towering rock formations, clear water and secluded beaches. It is also one massive body of water that needs to be respected. Here are a few things to keep in mind when preparing for your trip:

Have a trip plan: Tell friends or family where and when you are going. Leave them a detailed trip plan that outlines all the information about your trip, who is with you and what equipment you have.

Be prepared for changing weather: the weather can change quickly and without much warning. Always carry a marine radio and monitor the forecast often.

Make a plan B: Map out multiple landing points and budget for extra wind-bound / storm days.

Refine your kayak skills: kayaking on Lake Superior is much different than calm lakes. You must be comfortable paddling in larger waves and wind. Brush up on your rescue and navigation skills. Be sure to take a course if you are uncertain about any of your skills.

Have the right gear: Only proper sea kayaks with all the safety gear (skirts, rope, pumps, etc …) should be used on a Lake Superior trip. Sunscreen and proper hydration are extremely important on kayaking trips

Remember a backcountry permit is required for camping along the coastline at Sleeping Giant Provincial Park.

Get some local advice: Some of the local experts you can check in with:

Naturally Superior Adventures
Caribou Expeditions
Ostrom Outdoors
Superior Outfitters

Healthy Parks Healthy People

Ontario Parks Insider

Imagine you held a secret that could keep people more active and healthy with reduced risk of cancer, heart disease and diabetes, that could captivate people to be connected to the natural environment rather than the virtual world and that could deliver clean water and fresh air for cities to embrace.

As an Insider, you do hold that secret – it’s a park.

Any visit to a quality, well maintained park can deliver these benefits and there is an initiative afoot to let the world in on our secret.

Healthy Parks Healthy People, is an initiative pioneered in Australia that emphasizes the vital link between the health of people and the health of our planet. The program promotes the fact that the world’s parks contain the landforms, plants, animals and ecosystems that are crucial to our wellbeing. Parks support the health of the planet and they give us room to breathe, to connect with others, and to pursue a healthy and sustainable lifestyle.

There is little doubt that protection of biodiversity, and maintenance of ecological integrity are among the most important challenges of our time and that conservation of protected areas is one of the most important strategies for achieving that end.

Visitors to Ontario Parks are well aware of benefits these protected places provide to people, the community and the environment. It’s now our job to help the rest of the population understand the health benefits of a hiking trail, the stress reducing value of a silent lake-side evening or the connection between healthy forests and clean air.

The Canadian Parks Council has adopted the Healthy Parks Healthy People concept and created its own strategy called Healthy by Nature. The key messages are:

PARKS: for your health - Parks offer a full range of physical activities in the great outdoors. Hiking, canoeing, skiing are all part of a healthier life.

PARKS: for your family - Parks are the very best settings in which to share memorable family experiences and strengthen relationships. Imagine the joy of storytelling
around the campfire or the thrill of your child catching a fish for the first time.

PARKS: for your soul - Parks are the special places to rekindle your sense of wonder and solitude. Restore some balance – wake up to a bird’s song or quietly watch a deer and her fawn graze in a nearby meadow.

PARKS: for your community - Parks are in fact small communities unto themselves where all your neighbours have a pride in nature. And, when you visit these communities you’re also contributing to the economic well-being of nearby villages, towns and cities.

PARKS: for your environment - Parks protect wildlife habitat and ensure ecological diversity. You’ll see, feel and learn firsthand, the importance of cleaner air, water and soil. By helping with the health of the environment, you can help your own health.

So how can you make the personal connection between your health and parks? Visit your favourite park and spend as little as a half hour on some type of physical activity whether it be hiking, swimming, biking or canoeing. Spend time with family and friends recharging your batteries in a calm, peaceful setting away from the pressures of daily routine. It’s as simple as that!

ThermaCELL Mosquito Repellant

Ontario Parks Insider

Take back the outdoors with ThermaCELL Mosquito Repellent, the most effective area repellent on the market. ThermaCELL is up to 98% effective against mosquitoes, providing a 15 x 15 sq. ft. mosquito free zone - an area the size of an average deck or patio, and larger than a campsite or average boat. ThermaCELL is ideal for a wide range of outdoor activities including camping, fishing, hunting, boating, gardening, picnics – even watching your kids at their sports events.

ThermaCELL is small, portable, silent, and virtually odour free. ThermaCELL uses a repellent called allethrin, a chemical copy of a naturally occurring repellent found in a member of the chrysanthemum family. ThermaCELL is PRMA (and EPA) approved and tested by the US Army. This summer, instead of applying messy and smelly lotions or sprays, simply turn on your ThermaCELL and in minutes enjoy protection from mosquitoes.

Our growing range of products now includes several styles of handheld appliances and lanterns.
Click here to see our range of products.
Click here to see how it works.

For more information, contact at us at 781-541-6900 or toll-free at 1-8-NO-SKEETER. ThermaCELL products are available at Sears, Wal-Mart and other fine retailers. View our store locator to find the location closest to you.

For your chance to win a free ThermaCELL, please click here!

This is a paid advertisement.