Agriculture and Waste Services Director for the MD of Bonnyville Matt Janz is reporting that 265 coyotes and 8 wolves have been brought in by hunters as part of the annual reduction program.
These numbers are significantly lower than in previous years. Janz told MD council that he was not concerned by the development. “I think with the wolf program guys went really hard on it last year. I do hear that the province of Alberta has their own reduction program going on currently with some helicopters up on the range trying to save a caribou herd. That’s probably a reason why we haven’t seen as many wolves come in. A lot of the wolves came right out of that area.”
When asked if the reduction program might be suspended next year, Janz said it wasn’t being considered at this time. “We’ll review it again next fall. If we do have a backlash of residents or farmers or trappers saying ‘there’s no animals out there’ we definitely will put a hold on it. I think it’s too early to say now.”