New Brunswick’s First Confirmed Dead Wolf in Over a Century to Be on Display

It had been more than a century since the last confirmed killing of a wolf in New Brunswick; that is, until last year, when a hunter made headlines by killing one on the Acadian Peninsula. That wolf has now been mounted and will be on display throughout the summer for the public to appreciate.

According to a press release, the 88-pound wolf that is said to be a grey and Eastern Canadian mix, will be on exhibit at the Village Historique Acadien, near where it was shot in Caraquet.

Jacques Mallet, the hunter responsible for­­ the rare kill, says he thought the beast was a coyote when he shot it, and that he thinks that showing the animal off to the public will attract a lot of attention.

"I've had some people come to me and say they have seen very large animals, and I've seen some big tracks, but not another wolf," said Mallet.

Scientists say that wolves had been hunted to near extinction when in 1858, New Brunswick started paying 15 shillings for every wolf that was killed. Now, they are hopeful that the latest wolf discovery could mean eventual repopulation.

"It's certainly been a long time since we've seen any wolves in the province, but I don't believe this will be the last," said zoologist Don McAlpine.

Scientists say they are not sure what will happen to the ecosystem if wolves do not return to New Brunswick.