Growing anecdotal reports of wolf sightings in Port Hardy have not become a concern for the authorities yet.

Officials say only three reports so far have been filed and it鈥檚 hard to say if there is a public safety issue emerging until more evidence is gathered.

Brad Adams, a conservation officer stationed in Port McNeill, said it鈥檚 challenging for CO鈥檚 to pinpoint what鈥檚 causing the wolves to wander into town, noting that while the North Island is a remote rural area with an abundance of wildlife, the main driving factor could potentially be the feral pet population.

Once CO鈥檚 receive reports of wolves being seen in town, Adams said they actively look at where the wolf has been, and it鈥檚 behaviour while in the area.

鈥淥ur process would be to collect as much information from community members as possible, so we can decide whether the wolf is habituated to the area or to a food source 鈥� until we get that info it鈥檚 hard to make a decision.鈥�

He noted residents should keep their pets indoors, keep them close when going out to use the bathroom at night, and if you happen to see a wolf, disengage from the area 鈥渢o avoid a bad situation.鈥�

As for the tough subject of euthanization, Adams said it鈥檚 not as simple a decision whether to euthanize or not.

鈥淥nce we are able to get the information on the animals there鈥檚 a lot of different factors,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not about collecting information to euthanize, it鈥檚 about getting information to help mitigate the situation.鈥�

He added if you see a wild animal in town, please call the RAPP line at 1-877-952-7277.

鈥淐onservation officers don鈥檛 monitor Facebook, we need people to contact us and let us know what you鈥檝e seen.鈥�

For more news from Vancouver Island and beyond delivered daily into your inbox, please

editor@northislandgazette.com
Like us on and follow us on