When Europeans colonized Canada, deforestation and urbanization combined with the large-scale hunting of wolves dramatically depleted the wolf population. The creation of Algonquin Park gave the wolves a safe place to live, however, they were confined to this area, thus their population remained extremely low.
Meanwhile, coyotes in western Canada were flourishing, due to their ability to adapt and reproduce with ease. The coyotes’ territory was quickly expanding and when they reached Algonquin Park, wolves saw this natural predator as a mate; a way to preserve their species.
It is estimated that the two species began to interbreed in Algonquin Park around the 1920s, creating the coywolf.
Coywolf populations are now thriving in urban settlements and agricultural areas in southern Ontario, Quebec and the Maritime provinces.
Meanwhile, coyotes in western Canada were flourishing, due to their ability to adapt and reproduce with ease. The coyotes’ territory was quickly expanding and when they reached Algonquin Park, wolves saw this natural predator as a mate; a way to preserve their species.
It is estimated that the two species began to interbreed in Algonquin Park around the 1920s, creating the coywolf.
Coywolf populations are now thriving in urban settlements and agricultural areas in southern Ontario, Quebec and the Maritime provinces.