Wolves in the Prince Albert National Park will begin denning as the alpha females get ready to have their pups.(Submitted Photo/ Parks Canada)

By Ronald Quaroni

Wolf Pack

Puppy season in P.A. National Park

Apr 4, 2019 | 3:23 PM

You won’t be able to see them, but soon the Prince Albert National Park will be home to some new residents.

The beginning of April is typically the time of year when alpha females will den down and prepare to deliver their litters of wolf pups.

Joanne Watson, a resource conversation officer and public safety specialist with Prince Albert National Park said females typically have litters of four to six puppies.

Pups will stay in the den for the next couple of months until summer arrives and the young wolves will meet up with the rest of the pack.

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Watson said they are currently monitoring two wolf packs on the west side of the park.

“We see about six to 10 animals in a pack,” Watson explained. “Their overall condition seems to be very healthy.”

A healthy wolf population is a good indicator of a healthy ecological area. (Submitted Photo/ Parks Canada)

That healthy population of wolf is a really good sign for the park according to Watson.

“That indicates ecological integrity and what that means is the ecosystem is functioning properly as it should. That incorporates everything from plants to bugs, birds, trees and wildlife,” Watson explained. “It means the whole cycle is healthy.”

Watson added there are misconceptions surrounding wolves, she said that the majority of the time wolves are more scared of you, than you are of them.

“Think about how often (have) a wolf sighting or you get to see a wolf,” Watson explained. ”Think about why that is, the answer is, wolves typically want to avoid humans.”

If you do have a chance encounter with a wolf, Watson recommends the general practice one should take with all wildlife encounters, and that is to give the animals their space and back away.

In the rare event that a wolf is advancing closer, she advised that if you’re in group, gather together and act aggressive.

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Ron.quaroni@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @RonaldQuaroni