Study finds that Eastern Wolves face higher human-caused mortality outside of protected areas.

A study, recently published in the Journal of Applied Ecology, found that large carnivores, particularly Eastern Wolves, face higher human-caused mortality outside of protected areas compared to within them.

The research used telemetry data from canids in a hybrid zone in Ontario, Canada to evaluate mortality risk. It was observed that within Algonquin Provincial Park, human-caused mortality was low, while it was higher in adjacent areas. The study also highlighted the challenges in protecting eastern wolves from human-caused mortality, as it would require a ban on harvesting all canids, including coyotes. The findings suggest that expanding the eastern wolf population outside of the protected area is unlikely under current management conditions.

Earthroots is proud to be acknowledged for our funding contributions.

The full study can be found at https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1365-2664.14589

‍