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

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.

鈥淎ll the wolves were wary of me and were moving away from me so I knew it wasn鈥檛 a dangerous situation,鈥� 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 鈥渉eads up鈥� on a 鈥楬iking in the Okanagan Area鈥� Facebook page, to warn other outdoor enthusiasts of the canines.

鈥淭hey weren鈥檛 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,鈥� said Walchuck.

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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