How many wild wolves live in the Haliburton Forest & Wildlife Reserve?
We have established that there are three packs utilizing Haliburton Forest. Notice carefully the term “utilize”! An average pack in this area (3 – 8 animals) requires approximately 200sq.km (approximately 50,000 acres) of territory to find enough food and shelter. This means that the wolves inhabiting the Haliburton Forest are not restricted to the property boundaries. In the summer of 1999, for example, two of the packs, which were found here had four to seven members and the third contained an estimated 8 to 10 individuals. How do we know this? Through Howling Surveys. Howling surveys are conducted during the months of July and August when wolves are concentrated near their denning and/or rendezvous sites and are apt to “respond” to howling imitations. At this time of year they are less mobile and when individuals do travel they tend to return to these particular areas. This allows experienced “howlers” to get accurate positions on each pack, using compass and map applying triangulat
