Eastern coyote, a wolf hybrid, confirmed in Gatineau Park

A few times each year over several years, the managers of Gatineau Park have been getting reports of wolf sightings in the area.

The reports eventually prompted a multi-year study, and the results confirm the mystery animal isa hybrid wolf-coyote canid calledthe eastern coyote.

Researchers caught and collared four of the animals for the study, ranging between 30 and 72 pounds.Satellite tracking shows they travelback and forth between the park and the OttawaRiver, andmake their densoutside the park'sborders.

Jean and DeniseDuchesne, whoregularlyvisitGatineauPark, said they'resurprised to learn they'resharingtrails with the eastern coyote.They've seen carcasses of deer near Lac Philippe.

"I knew they were on the East Coast Trail but I didn't think there were any here," said Jean Duchesne, who helps rescue people who get lost in the park.

"I'd be scared to meet one," Denise Duchesne said.

But ChristieSpence,natural resources manager forthe National Capital Commission, saidthe animals aren't a threat to park visitors.

"We're not concerned at all about people's safety.These are pretty wary animals," Spence said. "They don't present a risk, they're just a reallyimportant part of the ecosystem that we're trying to protect."

The NCC will use the information for future park planning, Spence said.