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㽶ƵֱIt was a super cool experience㽶Ƶֱ: Wolfpack spotted hanging out in Kelowna

Mike Walchuck, a local photographer, took beautiful photos of wolves on Jan. 21

A Kelowna photographer spotted a pack of wolves while on a weekend hike in Black Mountain Regional Park, Kelowna.

Mike Walchuck was hiking in Black Mountain Park on Saturday Jan. 21, when he spotted a wolfpack in the upper sections of the regional park. He said that initially, he thought the large canines were coyotes but after a better look realized that he was in the presence of four large wolves.

㽶ƵֱAll the wolves were wary of me and were moving away from me so I knew it wasn㽶Ƶֱt a dangerous situation,㽶Ƶֱ said Walchuck.

After watching the pack from a distance, and taking some photos, he kept hiking and saw another two wolves further down the trail.

He posted a 㽶Ƶֱheads up㽶Ƶֱ on a 㽶ƵֱHiking in the Okanagan Area㽶Ƶֱ Facebook page, to warn other outdoor enthusiasts of the canines.

Two wolves in a pack spotted at Black Mountain, Kelowna (Mike Walchuck/Photo)
Two wolves in a pack spotted at Black Mountain, Kelowna (Mike Walchuck/Photo)

㽶ƵֱThey weren㽶Ƶֱt aggressive at all and it was a super cool experience, but just be aware if you are hiking up there and maybe keep the dogs leashed,㽶Ƶֱ said Walchuck.

Black wolf seen at Black Mountain Regional Park, Kelowna (Mike Walchuck/Photo)
Black wolf seen at Black Mountain Regional Park, Kelowna (Mike Walchuck/Photo)

Wolves are elusive, typically shy pack animals who tend to avoid humans, making their sighting exciting.

In recent decades wolf populations have grown as a result of habitat damage that actually favours the predatory canines.

UBCO Ph.D. candidate Melanie Dickie studied how

, led by are helping humans coexist with wolves and better understand the mysterious, intelligent, and social predators who are crucial to the balance of ecosystems.

To learn more about the latest wolf research read more at .



Jacqueline.Gelineau@kelownacapnews.com

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Jacqueline Gelineau

About the Author: Jacqueline Gelineau

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