coyotes . Even as a hybrid , they are bigger than coyotes , require a larger territory and their diets consist mainly of deer and beaver .
As hybrids , though , some to question whether they are worth protecting . Patterson says they ’ re still wolves , descendants of their larger Gray Wolf cousins . “ To find a pure Gray Wolf in Ontario , you would basically have to get way up north , to the Hudson Bay or James Bay lowlands ,” he said . “ It ’ s a North American evolved wolf . They ( Algonquins and Eastern Wolves ) exist today in only a tiny fraction of their original territory .”
Including coyotes in the ban has been the most contentious issue for farmers , hunters and other groups . Patterson said it ’ s difficult to tell the animals apart .
“ If you look at the history of wolves and coyotes in North America , we have demonstrated quite clearly that we could extirpate wolves from the continent ,” he said . Yet , even though “ we have thrown everything we have ” at coyotes , their range has greatly expanded – ironically into regions where wolves used to dominate .
Today , coyotes continue to thrive . Patterson said he hopes any increased predation to farm herds after the hunting ban will be brief . He said healthier wolf populations will reduce coyote numbers – and coyotes currently are the greatest threat to livestock . “ I strongly believe the levels of human-canid conflict will drop as well , but it will take a while to get there ,” he said .
The new “ interim measures ” are in force for two years . Once a recovery strategy is filed , it will be reviewed and the Ontario government will decide what long-term measures to take .
“ What that recovery strategy will include , I don ’ t think anyone can say for certain at this point ,” Patterson said .
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