Many residents and visitors wonder about the presence of wolves in Upstate New York, often due to fascination with these animals and occasional sightings of large canids. Understanding their current status and history clarifies this common question.
The Current Status of Wolves in Upstate New York
Wild, breeding wolf populations are not established in New York State. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) indicates the probability of a wild wolf population becoming established is low. While no breeding packs exist, individual wolves have occasionally dispersed into the state from neighboring regions. Since 2001, three confirmed wolves have been documented in New York, two mistakenly killed by hunters. These individuals likely dispersed from wolf populations in Canada or the Great Lakes region, as suitable wolf habitat in New York is within their dispersal range, highlighting the challenge of distinguishing them from other wild canids common in the state.
Historical Presence and Extirpation
Before European settlement, wolves were common throughout New York State. They were extirpated by the early 1900s due to extensive hunting, habitat loss, and bounty systems. Settlers viewed wolves as threats to livestock and human safety. The last wolf in Upstate New York is believed to have been killed around the mid-1890s.
Understanding New York’s Wild Canids
Many reported wolf sightings in New York are misidentifications of other wild canids, primarily eastern coyotes. Wolves are considerably larger and heavier than eastern coyotes. Adult wolves typically weigh between 70 to 175 pounds and stand approximately 2.5 feet tall at the shoulder, with a body length that can reach up to 6 feet, including the tail. In contrast, eastern coyotes generally weigh between 30 and 50 pounds, although some can exceed 55 pounds, and are about 4 to 5 feet long from nose to tail, standing around 2 feet at the shoulder. Their larger size compared to western coyotes is attributed to interbreeding with wolves and domestic dogs, resulting in a genetic makeup that can include a significant percentage of wolf ancestry.
Physical features of the head and face also offer clear distinctions. Wolves possess a broader, blockier head with a shorter, wider snout and more rounded ears that appear smaller in proportion to their head size. Eastern coyotes have a more pointed, narrow snout and larger, more erect, and pointed ears.
When observing their tails, a coyote’s tail typically hangs downwards, often with a black tip, whereas a wolf’s tail is generally carried more horizontally. Footprints also differ notably; wolf tracks are substantially larger, measuring around 3.5 to 5.5 inches long and 3.75 to 5 inches wide, while coyote tracks are smaller, approximately 2.1 to 3.1 inches long and 1.6 to 2.5 inches wide.
Vocalizations provide another key identifier. Wolves are known for their long, low-pitched, and drawn-out howls, which serve as long-distance communication. Coyotes, conversely, produce higher-pitched yips, yaps, and barks, often in a chorus that can sound like multiple animals.
Future Prospects and Management
The return of wolves to New York involves complex considerations. Wolves are legally protected as an endangered species, but their presence remains sporadic, primarily through dispersing individuals. The NYSDEC currently does not plan for wolf reintroduction, maintaining that natural recolonization is unlikely due to geographical barriers and human-dominated landscapes. However, natural re-establishment is possible, as suitable habitat is available within the state and within the dispersal range of Canadian and Great Lakes wolf populations. There is ongoing legislative interest to mandate genetic testing of large canids killed by hunters or trappers to better understand the state’s wild canid populations and differentiate wolves from coyotes, aiming to inform future management strategies and protect dispersing wolves.