Three more wolves have been snared and killed in the McIntyre Creek and Porter Creek areas, says a senior conservation officer.

Kevin Johnstone said today two wolves were killed last Thursday and the other one was killed last Saturday.

The first wolf was killed in the same area on Dec. 23.

Johnstone said all four wolves were killed in quick-kill snares.

Conservation officers are continuing to monitor the situation, he said.

Johnstone said the wolves are frequenting residential areas where you don’t expect to see them, such as in the area of Pine Street and Ponderosa Drive in Porter Creek.

“They have become habituated to a point where we are just not comfortable with their behaviour,” said the acting manager of the field operations.

Most recently, he added, three wolves were seen last Saturday near Robert Service Way and the Alaska Highway.

Johnstone said they suspect the wolves are from the same pack but have begun to disperse because of all the activity.

It’s difficult to say whether these wolves are the same that were responsible for killing at least three dogs south of the city earlier this winter, he said.

Johnstone said the unusual wolf activity around the residential areas may be related to the low snowfall which might be making it easier for the larger prey animals to move more quickly and avoid being taken down by the wolves.

The abundance of deer in and around the city may also be drawing them in, he said.

Johnstone said residents need to monitor their pets and keep their dogs leashed when out for a walk.

If their pets need to be outside, they should be in an enclosed area, he said.

Conservation officers reported a dog was bitten by a wolf on Christmas Day when it followed three wolves into the bush while it was out walking with its owners in the McIntyre Creek area.

The owners did not detect the puncture wound and saliva on the Labrador’s rump until they got home.

Predation of pet dogs by wolves is not uncommon in the Yukon.