History of Wolf Awareness Inc. Research & Achievements

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 It identified differences in the behaviour of protected populations of wolves versus exploited populations, and contributed to providing a positive outcome for wolves in terms of conservation and management planning.  Research on eastern wolves in and around Algonquin Park continues to advance with Dr. Linda Rutledge.

 

Highlights of our achievements include:

•  Influencing the termination of illegal wolf bounties in Ontario

• Influencing the termination of wolf control in wintering deer habitat in Ontario

• Helping to establish greater protection for wolves in Algonquin Park, Ontario

• Playing a key role in revising the Ontario Canid Policy, which included the first and most comprehensive review of wild canid ecology and management in Ontario

 

Hank Halliday also developed the Wolf Awareness Inc. Integrated Studies Program (ISP) on the ecology of the gray wolf. In 1993 Hank was awarded the Fred Bartlett Award for "An Outstanding Contribution to Education in the Province of Ontario" based on this programing.  In order to further educate the WAI membership and teachers and students using the program the Follow My Paw Prints Program (PPP) was developed.  For a donation towards the wolf research project, members received information about individual wolves being researched and quarterly updates written by the wolf researchers.  A quarterly newsletter called Howlings was also published and the organization solicited membership from the general public. 

 

Through WAI as an umbrella, the Central Rockies Wolf Project also contributed to wolf conservation initiatives by:

• Providing information to land managers on the structure and dynamics of the Central Rockies wolf population

• Providing critical information to the Banff National Park Bow Valley Study, on the effects of human disturbance on wolves

• Providing critical information to the Yellowstone to Yukon Biodiversity Coalition, on wolf movement corridors in the Central Rockies.

 

Similarly, WAI supported The Rainforest Wolf Project,  which was the first study of BC’s mainland coastal wolves. Researchers examined important ecological and evolutionary questions regarding wolf-deer-salmon systems incoastal BC. This study has contributed to new theories regarding island biogeography and predator-prey dynamics in fragmented landscapes.  To learn more about how this research has continued to evolve, visit the Raincoast Conservation Foundation, as it continues to document the unique behaviour and ecological role of coastal wolves, and works toward preserving them in perpetuity.

 

World renowned large carnivore specialist Dr. Paul Paquet is one of Wolf Awareness Inc.'s scientific advisors.  He is a wolf expert who fuses ethics with conservation biology and wildlife science. ​ Paquet has published countless peer-reviewed scientific articles and dedicated much of his life to exposing the true nature of wolves, researching them all over the word.  Paquet contributed greatly to the Central Rockies Wolf Project.  Most of the research Paquet has done on BC's coastal wolves is available on the Raincoast Conservation Foundation's website.

 

Since its inception,  WAI has had on its Board of Directors and staff a mixture of scientific, legal and education professionals; planners and strategists; leaders and team-players; and artistic talent.  With this support and dedication, we have a long history of creating positive attitudes and outcomes for wolves and other large carnivores as part of our inherent environment.  No creative project can be brought to fruition without the help of others.  Valerie Quant gave incredible assistance throughout.  Tom Bates handled all of the legal aspects while Tom Appleton has assisted with all things related to accounting.  The torch has since been passed but these dedicated people should be remembered as legacy leaders for Canadian wolf conservation, education, and scientific research.  Click here to see our current Board of Directors.