The Ta’an Kwäch’än Council has issued a warning of wolves frequenting the Lake Laberge area.

Its social media post urges people living in that area, north of Whitehorse, to monitor outdoor pets and keep food sources secure.

They’re also urged to report all future sightings to a conservation officer through the department’s TIPP line.

Aaron Koss-Young, senior conservation officer at the enforcement and compliance unit at the Department of Environment, said today wolf sightings in neighbourhoods are common in the winter months.

This is because wolves hunt in low light, and their preferred time to prowl is between dusk and dawn, Koss-Young told the Star.

“That’s when we’re still out and about, so we end up seeing wolves more frequently in Whitehorse and in other communities,” he said.

“When wolves get more hungry, when it’s cold out, they start looking for an easy meal like a dog left out in the yard.”

Wolves are also more likely to roam neighbourhoods as packs or pairs in the winter, he said, whereas in the summer, wolves tend to spread out and feed on smaller mammals.

Koss-Young said it’s important for dog-owners to keep pets enclosed if they sleep outside. He noted a wolf will jump a six-foot fence “no problem” while hunting in a neighbourhood.

If Yukoners notice wolves prowling their neighbourhood, he said, they should take note of what attractants might exist on their property.

If pets are fed outside, ensure that food is not left out, he said.

“The biggest thing is to be alert for wolves when you’re walking on long trails,” Koss-Young added.

He recommended avoiding trails from dusk to dawn, keeping children close and travelling with a walking stick and bear spray. It’s best to carry bear spray in a jacket pocket to keep it from freezing, he said.

If you encounter a wolf on a trail, the reaction should be similar to meeting a bear.

“They might approach to look at your dog as a meal, so if you have that happen, it’s important not to turn and run or you might get a predatory response where they chase you down,” he said.

“It’s important to stand your ground and be aggressive – yell at it, throw rocks, get a stick and be ready to defend yourself or hit the wolf with it,” he said.

Koss-Young noted that wild wolves are generally cautious of people. If you find yourself being approached by one, it is likely looking for a meal. This might be because the wolf is conditioned to expect food from humans.

Koss-Young urged Yukoners to report wolf sightings to conservation officers to help with data collection. He said sightings often go unreported, making it difficult for the department to assess if there has been an influx in wolf activity. Reports can be made anonymously, he said.

Yukoners can use the Conservation TIPP line at 1-800-661-0525.