Even those in charge of protecting our provincial parks held massive wolf culls in the early 1900s to drive the species out of existence. But despite all the past huffing and puffing about wolves as evil incarnate, it turns out they were greatly misunderstood and park naturalists have been working hard ever since to blow down the inaccurate stereotypes.
At Ontario's Algonquin Park, visitors can get a chance to communicate directly with these fascinating animals by joining a Public Wolf Howl on Thursday nights in August.
"The Public Wolf Howl program started back in 1963 as part of a research tool to find packs of wolves," Rick Stronks, Algonquin's chief park naturalist, explains. "You have to remember that in the 1960s wolves were still considered to be vermin, so it was not something that we thought would be successful."
But it turned out to be a huge success and today up to 2,000 people take part in the nocturnal howlings and most come away with a new appreciation of wolves.
"This program I think has really done a lot to educate the public about wolves," Stronks says. "It's an animal that was hated by so many people and I really think that over the last 50 plus years we've really been able to change the attitude towards wolves."
The Wolf Howls start with an evening talk at Algonquin's outdoor theatre. If park staff have managed to locate a wolf pack the night before, the hundreds of assembled vehicles play follow-the-leader while park staff direct everyone to a spot along Hwy. 60, where they hope to hear the call of the wild.
The line of cars can stretch up to 6 km, so half park along the north shoulder of the highway while the rest park on the south side. All engines and lights are shut off while the participants exit their vehicles and listen in silence as park staff howl into the darkness and wait for a response.
Algonquin has about 20 to 30 wolf packs within its 7,600 sq km of wilderness and as many as five different packs regularly come up to or cross Hwy. 60.
Stronks says August is the best time for public howlings because that is when the wolves are most likely to answer their human protectors.
"The key thing about August is that the wolf pups are big enough to be running around but they can't stay with the pack and hunt, so the adults leave them at a site that we call a rendezvous site, which is kind of like a playpen area. The adults might leave them there for days or weeks at a time, so we know that there is a very good chance that the pups and the adults will be there night after night and that's really the key to our success."
Of course, there's no guarantee the wolves will cooperate, but even if they don't howl back, Stronks says it's still a wonderful experience.
"While you are waiting you may be lucky enough to see the Northern lights, hear the call of an owl or listen to migrating birds," Stronks says.
And because Algonquin has so little light pollution, he says, "just seeing the stars is in itself an incredible experience."
The Algonquin Park Wolf Howls program is free for park visitors and lasts for three hours. For more information, contact algonquinpark.on.ca/visit/programs/wolf-howls.php or 705-633-5572.
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