George Williams

A Feasibility Assessment of Wolf Reintroduction to the Cape Breton Highlands

• Date: January 12, 2018
• Time: 2:00 p.m.
• Location: Forestry and Geology, Room 202 - Dean's Conference Room

Abstract

As apex carnivores, wolves are effective in preventing ungulates from reaching hyperabundant levels in protected areas. I assessed the feasibility of re-introducing wolves (Canis sp.) into Cape Breton Island (CBI), Nova Scotia as a means of determining if wolves can limit moose (A. a. andersoni) abundance in Cape Breton Highlands National Park (CBHNP) to densities of approximately 0.5 moose/km². I used ArcGIS and Marxan to estimate the amount of suitable habitat for Gray Wolf (Canis lupus) on CBI. Additionally, I used VORTEX to predict a viable population size, as well as the requirements for a theoretical population to remain viable. A coarse kill rate analysis was used to estimate the number of moose removed by C. lupus based on the current moose density in CBHNP. Results suggest that if wolves are not subject to anthropogenic mortality risk, and the percentage of females breeding is 55% or higher, a carrying capacity of (n = 36) with a low probability of extinction (<0.25) is plausible. However, based on mainly negative attitudes to Eastern Coyote (Canis latrans x C. lycaon) in the region, it is presumed that mortality will be high outside of CBHNP; an estimated Park-only population size of 16 Wolves would not be viable, nor reduce moose density. In conclusion, the likelihood of re-introduced wolves reducing moose in CBHNP depends on mortality rates outside of the Park because the Park itself is too small to contain a viable population. Further work on societal attitudes to wolves would be vital before any wolf re-introduction program is considered.