Information courtesy of Northern Lights Wildlife Wolf Center

The Northern Lights Wildlife Wolf Centre (NLW) is forming a coalition for Canadian Wolves.
We need your help.

The Wolf (Canis lupus (C. lupus)) is an endangered species worldwide. In Canada, wolves are not protected outside of National Parks. Studies have shown us that these designated wilderness areas are not big enough to maintain a healthy population of wolves, and are too small to effectively conserve biodiversity (Natural Resources Canada, 2007).

Biologists researching wolves on behalf of Parks Canada have recognized C. lupus as a keystone species, capable of causing a trophic cascade when populations dip below a critical threshold (Hurd, et al. 2002), (Hebblewhite, et al. 2005). As the number of grey wolves declines in the Central Rockies, a cascade effect is observed in which small mammals, fish, insects, birds, amphibians, ungulates, tree species and vegetation all suffer, (Hebblewhite, et al. 2005). Top predators, such as wolves, are vital in maintaining the balance of a healthy ecosystem.