Wolf sightings in Happy Valley-Goose Bay has pet owners on edge

While there have been no recent cases of rabies in the Happy Valley-Goose Bay area, some residents are still worried about recent wolf sightings in the area.

Residents have been keeping an eye out for wildlife sightings since news of multiple cases of rabies in the Labrador City area.

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In the last month, there have been a number of wolf sightings within the Happy Valley-Goose Bay town limits.

Wanda Boocock walks her three dogs around a local park almost every day, but now she feels a bit uneasy.

"It makes me a little nervous. Yesterday I walked them around here, but today I drove and let them go in front of me just in case," said Boocock.

The multiple wolf sightings recently have made her wary of leaving her pets outside alone, as well.

"I'm even nervous at home now with the dogs and the rabies and the wolves, because even letting them out in the backyard for an hour, I'm constantly looking at them just in case, you know? They can take a dog pretty fast," she said.

Social media skewing the figures?

John Pisapio, a senior biologist with the provincial wildlife division, said the sightings being reported on social media may be skewing the actual numbers of wolves.

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"The next thing you know, there's a whole big pile of reports which too often are interpreted as being a whole bunch of wolves when in fact, in most cases, it's usually just one or two that is seen and reported over and over again," said Pisapio.

According to Pisapio, wolves are generally fearful of humans, but can get accustomed to their presence.

He added residents should especially refrain from feeding wild animals.

"Sometimes the animals can become habituated to, or reliant upon, food resources that are in these areas," said Pisapio.

"Things like garbage is the big one, intentional feeding is actually quite common, of course small pets is a concern, dog food left on porches."

Pisapio said it's unlikely there are many wolves around Happy Valley-Goose Bay, but cautions residents to understand the behaviours of wild animals and mark any serious changes.