New brochure brings facts about wolves and coyotes to light

By Angelica Blenich

Posted 1 year ago

A new brochure outlining the facts about wolves and coyotes has been flying off the shelves and counters of stores and offices across the county.

Developed and created by a group of local artists, A Canid Conversation examines and dispels the myths about wolves and coyotes and focuses on the biological and environmental traits that make up the species of animal.

Centred on the direct relationship between wolves and Haliburton County, the brochure has become a reference tool for a hot topic of conversation.

Gary Blundell, one of the brochure's primary contributors, says it was the lack of information available to the public that led him to conceive the idea of compiling a brochure and circulating it.

"This past winter people in Haliburton were seeing wolves more than usual," says Blundell.

"A lot of attention was given to the matter and all of a sudden people were starting to get freaked out about wolves and coyotes."

Blundell says the reaction around the issue was both disheartening and alarming.

"I didn't really like the fact that a lot of the municipalities around here were starting to suggest that they were going to pass some sort of resolution encouraging the government to get rid of the wolf [killing] ban," says Blundell.

"We saw that there was suddenly a momentum building toward that effect," says Victoria Ward, who also contributed to the development of the brochure.

Previously employed as the head of the research department at the Canadian Wildlife Federation, Blundell began making phone calls to many of his old contacts, where he found a wealth of knowledge.

"For me the gist of it was that it seemed that there was a lot of arguing going over about the genetics of wolves and coyotes," says Blundell.

"I thought to myself what we really need is some information for the public similar to what was produced a few years ago regarding facts about bears.

"Rather than put ourselves in a situation where we're trying to eliminate these animals I thought, why don't we try to live with these animals and why don't we try to create a brochure similar to that bear brochure that does the same job in providing tips about wolves and coyotes and things you can do to reduce encounters with them."

Blundell began working with Ward, his wife, and friends Mary Anne Barkhouse and Michael Belmore on developing an information resource.

"I talked to people at the [Ministry of Natural Resources], Ontario Nature and the World Wildlife Fund," says Blundell. "I got them to send me up some information about wolves and coyotes and the types of things you can do to avoid encounters but also what their habits were and characteristics that make up the animal."

Designed by Ward with original artwork created by Barkhouse, the brochure has been privately funded with an initial press run of 1,500 copies, of which half have already been scooped up.

"The reception from the public has been really positive," says Ward.

"We're putting them wherever we think makes sense in the county," says Blundell. "They're in stores, offices, tourism destinations and up at the Haliburton Forest."

The positive reception the brochures have been given are exactly what both Blundell and Ward were hoping to achieve.

"All we're trying to do is eliminate the fear mongering and the impulsive reactions that were taking place around this issue," says Blundell. "We just thought let's reduce the hysteria.

"We live in a rural area that is inhabited by wild animals and I think there are things that you can do to not have to kill them," says Blundell. "I think that we can get along with these animals and can live with them."