Escaped Arctic wolf killed by Niagara police in Port Colborne, says SPCA
A white Arctic wolf that escaped an enclosure in Port Colborne Tuesday was reported to have been shot and killed" by Niagara Regional Police Wednesday night, explained by Niagara SPCA and Humane Society executive director John Greer.
He said police were called to a property after its owner raised concerns when the wolf was seen near some livestock.
In a news release Thursday morning, the NRP confirmed that the wolf was killed by an officer after responding to sightings in west Port Colborne at about 7 p.m. Wednesday.
Given the close proximity of the wolf to the farm animals, out of concern for the safety of those animals, due to the wolf being potentially dangerous, an officer discharged a firearm and fatally shot the wolf," said the NRP's release.
Police also admitted they were unsuccessful" in attempts to capture the animal.
The investigation into the housing of the wolf is ongoing and will be continued by the City of Port Colborne, the Niagara SPCA and Humane Society, and the Ministry of Natural Resources, with assistance from the NRP, police said.
The SPCA was on the way to the scene when they received another call explaining the wolf had been killed.
It's a sad outcome," said Greer.
On Thursday afternoon, Greer had told The Tribune a licensed trapper had been contacted to assist with efforts in capturing the adult female animal.
On Wednesday, NRP media relations officer Const. Phil Gavin said police were relying" on animal control partners who have expertise in this area," when asked who was taking the lead on the matter.
Asked about this on Thursday, Greer said because police were on the scene first, and it was their call to make.
I don't think it would've posed any serious threat to the farm animals," he said, but also admitted the SPCA didn't know the animal well enough" to correctly come to the conclusion it wouldn't have harmed the livestock it was close to.
Greer said the body of the wolf is currently in a freezer at Niagara SPCA and Humane Society's Welland shelter.
He said Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources staff are expected to pick it up to conduct testing, which should determine if the animal was a purebred wolf or if it was part canine.
Police have said the white Arctic wolf had been rescued from Ontario's north and was being kept in on a property in west Port Colborne. It had dug free from its enclosure in the area of Main Street West and Cement Road property Tuesday morning.
On Wednesday, a search led by Niagara SPCA and Humane Society was focused on side streets between Clarence Street and Main Street West.
On Tuesday afternoon, the wolf, named Boo according to police, was spotted and photographed by Tribune reporter Dave Johnson behind homes on the north side of Clarence Street between Clare and Linwood avenues.
More information to come, this is a developing story
Kris Dube is a reporter for the Welland Tribune. Reach him via email: kris.dube@niagaradailies.com