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Grey Wolf

Canis lupus

General Status Rank:

Secure

ELCODE:

AMAJA01030

Common Name:

Grey Wolf

Scientific Name:

Canis lupus

Synonyms:

Gray Wolf

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Taxonomy

Group:

Mammal (Terrestrial Mammal)

Kingdom:

Animalia

Phylum:

Chordata

Class:

Mammalia

Order:

Carnivora

Family:

Canidae

References:

General Biology

Female Age at Maturity

22 months (generally don't mate until 3 years)

References:

Longevity

up to 18 years in captivity (in nature, max of ~14 years)

References:

Economic/Human Considerations

Tourism, important fur bearers, risk of rabies

References:

Habitat

Arctic tundra, mountain tops, plains, coniferous forests.

References:

Distribution

Ecozones

Arctic Cordillera, Northern Arctic, Southern Arctic, Taiga Cordillera, Taiga Plains, Taiga Shield, Boreal Cordillera, Boreal Plains

References:

Distribution

All of the NWT

Score:

G = 2

References:

Number of Occurrences

Score:

E = >

Historical Distribution

1

References:

Area of Occupancy

Seasonal migrations (following prey).

Score:

-

References:

Population

Population Size

Rough estimate at 4,000 to 5,000 maximum.

Score:

E = 2

References:

Density

1 per 101 to 944 sq. kms (from south to north)

Trends

Trends

Generally stable, some populations increasing (R040), some regional concern of declines (H116). Subject of control take in areas of caribou decline in NWT (Bathurst and Bluenose-East wintering areas). Trends are not known.

Score:

U = U

References:

Threats

Threats

Declining ungulate populations (R040), over-harvest (especially localized), rabies (H116).

Score:

C = M

References:

Intrinsic Vulnerability

Loss of denning sites in north to human activities (possibly high loss in some areas)

Score:

-

References:

General Status Rank

Rank:

Secure

S Rank:

S5

Decision Process Description:

Reviewed in 2004 - no change in status. Reviewed in 2010, no change. Reviewed in 2015, no change. Reviewed in 2020, no change.

Last Updated:

February 15, 2024

Status Designations

Canada – Assessment by Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada

COSEWIC Status:

Not At Risk

1998

References:

References

Age Of Maturity

van Zyll de Jong CG and Carbyn LN (1998) Status report on the gray wolf Canis lupus in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) DRAFT 1999 COSEWIC meeting binder (Suzanne's Office) - R040 Return

Area of Occupancy

Mammals Committee: Ron Graf, Ray Case, Robert Mulders, Suzanne Carrière, Alisdair Veitch, Richard Popko, John Nagy, Jen Lange (1999) Personal Communication. RWED, GNWT - H116 Return
van Zyll de Jong CG and Carbyn LN (1998) Status report on the gray wolf Canis lupus in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) DRAFT 1999 COSEWIC meeting binder (Suzanne's Office) - R040 Return
Larter Nic (2004) Notes on re-assessment of mammals. e-mail to S Carriere dated 12/11/04 copy in reference binder - H164_05 Return

COSEWIC Status

van Zyll de Jong CG and Carbyn LN (1998) Status report on the gray wolf Canis lupus in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) DRAFT 1999 COSEWIC meeting binder (Suzanne's Office) - R040 Return

Economic Status

Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Ecozones

Novak M et al.(editors) (1987) Wild Furbearer Management and Conservation in North America. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources RWED Library Call #SK355.W5 - B113 Return

Habitat

Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return
van Zyll de Jong CG and Carbyn LN (1998) Status report on the gray wolf Canis lupus in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) DRAFT 1999 COSEWIC meeting binder (Suzanne's Office) - R040 Return

Historical Distribution

van Zyll de Jong CG and Carbyn LN (1998) Status report on the gray wolf Canis lupus in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) DRAFT 1999 COSEWIC meeting binder (Suzanne's Office) - R040 Return

Intrinsic Vulnerability

Mammals Committee: Ron Graf, Ray Case, Robert Mulders, Suzanne Carrière, Alisdair Veitch, Richard Popko, John Nagy, Jen Lange (1999) Personal Communication. RWED, GNWT - H116 Return
van Zyll de Jong CG and Carbyn LN (1998) Status report on the gray wolf Canis lupus in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) DRAFT 1999 COSEWIC meeting binder (Suzanne's Office) - R040 Return

Longevity

Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return
Savage C (1988) Wolves. Douglas & McIntyre RWED Library Call #QL737.C22S3 - B089 Return

NWT Known Subspecies

Veitch A (1999) Personal Communication. Supervisor, Wildlife Management, RWED, Norman Wells - H111 Return

,

Heard DC (1984) Historical and present status of wolves in the Northwest Territories. NWT Renewable Resources Information Report No. 4 RWED Library Call #QL737.C22H42 - R090 Return

Population Size

Corporate Services, NWT Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development (1999) Game Licencing System: Individual Trapping Summary. summary in excel file generated by Guy Erasmus (S:\Guy\Furstats by species 1957 - 1997) - R120 Return

Range Extent

van Zyll de Jong CG and Carbyn LN (1998) Status report on the gray wolf Canis lupus in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) DRAFT 1999 COSEWIC meeting binder (Suzanne's Office) - R040 Return

Short Term Trends

Mammals Committee: Ron Graf, Ray Case, Robert Mulders, Suzanne Carrière, Alisdair Veitch, Richard Popko, John Nagy, Jen Lange (1999) Personal Communication. RWED, GNWT - H116 Return
van Zyll de Jong CG and Carbyn LN (1998) Status report on the gray wolf Canis lupus in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) DRAFT 1999 COSEWIC meeting binder (Suzanne's Office) - R040 Return
Larter Nic (2004) Notes on re-assessment of mammals. e-mail to S Carriere dated 12/11/04 copy in reference binder - H164_05 Return

Taxonomy

Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Threats

Mammals Committee: Ron Graf, Ray Case, Robert Mulders, Suzanne Carrière, Alisdair Veitch, Richard Popko, John Nagy, Jen Lange (1999) Personal Communication. RWED, GNWT - H116 Return
van Zyll de Jong CG and Carbyn LN (1998) Status report on the gray wolf Canis lupus in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) DRAFT 1999 COSEWIC meeting binder (Suzanne's Office) - R040 Return