Species Information 
The wolf, the largest wild dog in the world, stands up to 90 cm at the shoulder and can weigh up to 54.5 kg. Its pelt can be any colour from black to white or a mix. Very social animals, wolves live in packs of two or more, with some packs having up to 30. Wolves communicate within packs and between packs through body language, vocalizations, and scent markings. In B.C., prey includes deer, elk, caribou, moose, bison, and a range of other mammals. Hunting success is in the order of 10% - a wolf's lifestyle is one of feast or famine.
Click 'play button' to hear a Grey Wolf's howl.
Breeding generally takes places between the pack leaders (the alpha pair), but can also occur amongst other members of the pack in when habitat conditions are good. Paw size is approximately 10 cm long and 9.5 cm across, skulls are 22 - 28 cm long. The hunting style of a wolf is one of endurance. Although they can travel at up to 60 km/hr for 20 minutes, their usual pace is 6 - 10 km/hr. Wolves have been recorded traveling 200 km in a single day!
Population Status
In B.C.: Considered healthy but may be declining Estimated population: 7,500
In Canada: Healthy Estimated population: 52,000
Distribution
The past century has seen a drastic decline in the wolf. It has been exterminated from more that 95% of its range in the contiguous U.S. Historically, wolves have lived in every habitat in the Northern Hemisphere that supported large mammals - their main prey. Presently, they are found throughout Alaska and Canada except for the southern prairies and parts of the Maritimes. In the contiguous U.S., wolves are found mainly in parts of Idaho, Michigan, Minnesota, Washington, and Wisconsin.
Reasons for decline
Seen as a threat to livestock, the gray wolf all but disappeared from the west by the 1930's. Large scale poisoning and other predator control activities were mostly to blame. Loss of habitat due to human development and reduction in the numbers of prey lowered wolf numbers as well.
In B.C. :
Between 1890 - 1955 wolf bounties were offered by the government to lower population numbers (over 25,000 were paid). In 1966, the era of bounties ended, but the wolf was designated as a big game animal which meant it could be legally hunted.
Today hunting regulations in BC are fairly lax. Three wolves can be killed per person per year but only voluntary reporting of kills is required, making enforcement virtually impossible. Wolves are the only large game animal in B.C. for which a species tag is not required; nothing beyond a hunting license is necessary. Wolf hunting season is usually from early fall to late spring.
In 1976, the wolf was designated a "fur-bearing animal" and approximately 100 wolves are trapped in B.C. every year (3000 in Canada). A wolf pelt is currently valued at approximately $195.
Compound 1080 is a synthetic organoflourine compound used to kill "problem" wolves in B.C. This poison is banned in Mexico and the U.S. but is available for use to B.C. government officials. The B.C government is licensed to use 1/4 ounce annually, or enough to kill 800 canines through primary poisonings. It is estimated that 15% of the baits are taken by non-target animals. 
Conservation Priorities
- A re-evaluation of hunting and poisoning regulations in B.C.
- Accurate wolf population inventories in B.C.
