General · 29th February 2008
Deb
Early Thursday evening wolves dragged a dog from the Community Centre Trail. The injuries that the pet sustained deep in the bush ended her life. Molly Faulkner-Peebles was a delightful black lab-cross, dearly loved by her devastated family: David, Terry, and Elijah. David and Molly were walking together at the east end of the Community Centre Trail (near the Fire Hall) when the pack pounced at around 5.30 pm. David did what he could in pursuit and rescue, but to no avail. Molly's happy gentle spirit will be missed by many.
It is thought that there are three wolves in the errant pack which is currently roaming the south-end of Quadra. They have recently been heard and/or sighted around the Spit, the golf course, the Community Centre Trails, Gowland Harbour, and down as far as Joyce Road. It would thus seem likely that your pet might also be at risk on the Kay Dubois and Haskins Farm trails, as well as around the Fox and Cedar Road woodlots. It may well be prudent to keep your dogs on-leash until this situation is resolved, and to let others know of the current risk to their pets.
Please - while we need to be aware of this current situation we should not be alarmist as far as wolves generally are concerned: incidents such as this should certainly not be used to vindicate the persecution of these animals on Quadra or elsewhere.
It would be appreciated if any information relating to this wolf pack could be posted here on the gumboot. This is easiest done by submitting a comment (at the bottom of this article), and we will endeavour to keep you updated as soon as anything further becomes known.
Night of June 7th 2008
Comment by Alex on 8th June 2008
I am sure lots of people heard the hauling of wolfs and dogs last night in the smith road / quadra loop area. I decided to lock my dogs up as a precaution, good thing too, as at around 5:30 a.m. they went absolutely crazy , whining and scratching the door. As i look out the window on my way to open the door for them (thought they needed to go to the bathroom) there stands this wolf just outside my gate, staring at me for about 5 secs before taking of. I kind of wonder if they have been around here on the south end for a while as both my dogs have been more jittery over the last few days. They have been intensely sniffing the ground various times and have shown unusual behavior.
Wolves
Comment by The Walkers on 19th March 2008
My parents heard the wolves last night (it was the 18th of mar) on 700 block Smiths rd. They were holwing off and on. My parents heard dogs barking widly then a while later the neighbours ducks went really wild at 10 pm. When my brothers and I were playing outside today we heard the howls and we ran inside. It was kind of freaky because they were so loud and clear. Stewart age 11
wolf sightings - March 14th
Comment by Deb on 14th March 2008
From what I hear the wolves are currently in the Buker Road/Hooley Road area. Keep your eyes open!
Wolf Update March 02
Comment by David Faulkner on 2nd March 2008
The lost dog in Heriot Bay has been found.
Also we have heard about a cat that has disappeared from someones yard, leaving behind a tuft of fur.
I also want to state that we are not trying to be alarmist about this. I believe that the more information we have about these animals the better we can understand what is going on. These wolves are not acting like wolves are supposed to. They are showing themselves much more than tradition dictates. I have seen them up close and they are magnificent creatures. Big, healthy looking wolves, not like the scraggly looking ones I have seen in the past. It would be a shame to have them killed. I suppose they will dictate their own destiny.
Wolves have been on the island forever. I have lived here 26 years and never seen one on the island except for one just north of Seymour Narrows that I saw from my boat.
The million dollar question is "Why have they shown up here in the last few weeks?"
wolves
Comment by pat on 2nd March 2008
this week the wolves were hunting geese and ducks at marshwood winery, there were 4 there i believe
Sad for Molly and Family
Comment by Yvonne Pfister on 1st March 2008
Our condolences to Elijah, Terry, and David...our family is sad for your loss as we have a four legged little member of our family that we love so much. Poor Molly!
From 2003-2007 I used to always walk my dog Tilly (she was a red healer) on spit, fox, dubois, haskins, blenkin, and mud lake trails as she had to have at least a 1-2 hour daily run off leash to be relatively calm at home, she has a new owner now but I miss her terribly even though I made the right choice for her.
I always felt a respect for the cougars and wolves I knew were present in the forests but never thought they would attack my dog while she was with me.
We now have a small 6 month cairn-chin puppy that I mostly walk behind our home on Schooner Road and or at the Spit with my 2 year old, but I hoped this spring to go back to the old favorite Tilly spots with Ziggy and my son Tyrone who walks with me at a slow curious pace and Ziggy is always on a leash. I feel very nervous now for both my son and little dog...any wolves around Schooner these days...are the lots behind my home at least safe?
Wolf update
Comment by David Faulkner on 1st March 2008
Deb, Thanks for your kind words about Molly. She was a wonderful companion. I'd like to update your report as I have learned much since the attack. Molly was not dragged from the trail, rather lured into the bush by a wolf acting friendly. I have since talked to several people since that have witnessed this behavior also. The wolf yips like a puppy and wags their tail like they want to play. Molly ran off with the wolf, parallel to the trail, both yapping away. The rest of the wolves were about 1/4 mile down the trail, just south of the big Maple tree. This is where the attack occured, in an area of windfallen trees. There were 4 wolves in total. I was following down the trail and heard the yipping turn to fighting. I left the trail and went through the bush about 200 yards to where the attack was happening. Two of the wolves ran away as soon as they realized I was approaching. Two larger wolves stayed until I was about 30 feet away. They then walked down fallen trees, turned a watched me for a bit, then disappeared into the bush. They showed no aggression towards me, but were not overly afraid of me either. I am sure that my lack of fear and aggressive manner towards them kept them from attacking me. I was pissed off and wanted to save my dog. Sadly, Molly died on the trail on the way out.
There was 8 wolves sighted by Quadra Taxi, crossing the road by the cemetary. I believe that they are splitting into 2 groups on occasion. Other sightings I have heard about...
3 weeks ago heard howling behind Gowlland Hbr Rd. Also one seen on the road.
1 week ago. Woman living down the road from the firehall had 5 in her yard. Made eye contact with large white wolf and it walked to within feet of the window she was looking out of.
Within last week. Woman living across from firehall has had them at her fence several nights in a row. She has dogs.
Woman walking dog on leash on Heriot Bay Rd south of Grouse area had wolf watching them from bush. Passerby in van spotted wolf and warned woman.
Last night people living in Heriot Bay area let their dog outside at 5pm. Dog did not return and was still missing this afternoon. This may not involve the wolves, but suspicious anyway.
I have heard other reports that they have been sighted in the last 3 weeks anywhere from Open Bay to Joyce Rd. It appears that at the moment they are mainly in the area from Pinetree Rd to Noble Rd, but wolves move quickly and that could change tomorrow.
I talked with the Conservation Officer from Campbell River who came over to post warning signs. He said that nothing would be done about the wolves at the moment. Should they start targeting livestock, taking pets off of peoples porches or showing aggresion towards humans they will then re-evaluate.
He said that wolves will not tolerate any other canine in their territory and presently most encounters with them involve dogs.
Bottom line: At the moment do not let your dog or livestock out at night.