From: Philip St. George, thenorthbaybay.ca staff
NORTH BAY — Following numerous complaints of deer in the city, the MNR has announced that it will be releasing 22 live gray wolves directly into the North Bay.
“Deer can be invasive and destructive,” says MNR officer Stuart Tala. “They eat crops, grass, and gardens, and pose a significant danger to those driving.”
“While they are pretty to look at, deer overpopulation is a serious problem. Humans have created the perfect, sheltered habitat for deer with parks, golf courses and yards. Here they have been safe from their natural predators.”
“That is, until now.”
After City Council voted 12-0 in favour of asking the MNR for help in July, the Ministry of Natural Resources has since proposed the introduction of 22 wolves into the North Bay area.
“These wolves are all mature or nearly mature,” says Tala. “They are all between 5 and 7 feet long, and most weigh around 90 to 120 pounds. They will all make excellent hunters.”
While introducing wild wolves directly into North Bay may have some people on edge, City Councillor Grey Terrence says people shouldn’t be worried.
“The number of documented wolf attacks on humans is extremely low,” says Terrence. “There’s only been 3 fatal attacks in the last 100 years, so people are safe.”
“Do take care to bring your animals inside, though, as we can’t promise their safety. You might also want to watch out for toddlers or for shorter than average children.”
Release Details
The wolves are set to be released around Surrey Drive on Airport, along Main Street West, and behind the Value Village on Marshall Ave.
Motorists in the area are asked to slow down and allow wolves to roam freely so that they can do their job.
“We will not be feeding the wolves the week before their release,” says Tala, “so that they are particularly voracious.”
“I’ll also like to remind everyone that gray wolves are considered an Endangered Species, and anyone caught harassing, hurting, or killing these animals can face fines up to $50 000 and a one year prison sentence.”
“We will be monitoring the situation closely. Just let the wolves do their thing. Unless you’re a cat, a dog, or a child under 5, they are of no threat to you.”
Further Reaction
Some of the mayoral candidates weighed in on the plan.
In support of the program, Sheldon Forgette posted a photo of himself on his Facebook page which shows Forgette taking a selfie next to a stuffed wolf with the captain “Good luck, wolf brothers!”
On his Facebook Page, Gary Gardiner shared a YouTube link to Duran Duran’s “Hungry Like a Wolf,” but with no caption or explanation.
Will Boissoin was the most vocal, declaring the wolves a “city-wide menace” in a Facebook post.
“Just another danger in city!” says Boissoin. “But once I am Mayor of North Bay, it’s one that nobody will have to worry about. When I move the city into Memorial Gardens, everyone will be safe from wolves, deer, and toddlers!”
“Will for Mayor!”
Hopeful for Success
The program’s success could lead to similar projects in other nearby cities, including Sudbury, Huntsville, and even Toronto.
“If these gray wolves succeed in reducing the deer population in North Bay we will be looking into introducing them elsewhere,” says Tala. “And while it would take a lot more wolves to control the deer population of a city down south, there’s nothing I’d like to see more than six or seven hundred fully mature gray wolves released into Toronto.”
“That would make me very happy, indeed.”
This has to a be joke!,,,,, correct
This has got to be one of the dumbest ideas ever made. Can’t wait to see the law suit after A child gets attacked.
lol after reading some people taken comments seriously
So freaking stupid…this has to be a joke……
lol seeing some people taken these comments seriously it’s a joke people
lol it’s a joke people
You have got to be kidding
Wow so toddlers and small childrens safety isn’t a concern for North Bay. Just getting rid of the deer
OK let’s not feed a wolf and release it into the city where there are schools full of small children and hundreds of animal owners??? But don’t worry they are not a threat… Who really care that dear are hanging around the city eating gardens and wandering around they pose no threat as far as children and pets go… In one breath they say the deer pose a threat to drivers but then say people need to slow down for the wolves??? This is crazy …. Only in North Bay I guess
Is Council going to take responsibilty for any lives that these wolves take as they are letting them loose hungry wolf dont care if your an animal or a person we have lots of elderly out and about lots of small children out too this is the most idiotic thing ive ever heard of want to curb the deer population make the hunting season longer….
I am sorry for you guys and gals in North Bay !! this is not a protected national park !!! it s a city !!! the City council , and the MNR has lost their minds !!!. wolves belong in the bush !! away from humans !! I love wolves , they are a beautiful animal and need to be left alone ! They are certainly Not a soldier on a mission! What North the city needs is a wrangling team transporting to relocate and transport the deer safely in a controlled fashion, come up with a plan for execution but not this this is completely air responsible from both city Council and Ministry of natural resources for bringing wolves into society which they were not meant to be! Or this has got to be The biggest mockery
People will believe anything if it’s on tv or the internet ?
Maybe they should put our city counsel in a fenced in pen & let the hungry wolves take care of there stupidity
Could we not release the wolves into Memorial Gardens and have those running for council try and survive them? Rather than voting, the individuals that live get to have a job.
Was this released April 1st??
The amount of people that think this is real is astonishing.
This is pure insanity. First of all I would like to know where they found Grey Wolves to begin with as all wild canines in Ontario are hybrids as per Patterson/Benson. Research done by top wolf researchers in Ontario state that only coyotes can live in close proximity with people wolves cannot so by their work these animals will be dropped off and run back into the wild. Next issue is what happens when the wolves eat all the deer? What will they turn their appetite to? A roaming dog, cat, themselves? As I said insanity.
I’m sorry but releasing the wolves is really not good the population of deer can easily controlled by having hunting for them for a period of time the wolves will only cause a thread to the community then we will want to find control for them
Hahahah this is hilarious
God damn you stupid fucking people from North Bay who can’t tell this a joke. Sad really.
I just came to see how many people don’t understand satire!
This is just frickin’ hysterical!! Love this kind of nonsense. A great laugh to begin my day. Got to find a way to follow this page.
Comprehending satire is a lost art in North Bay it seems
This is insane there’s already more then enough coyotes eating our pets and other animals now this wolfs haven’t eaten for a week even human flesh will look appetizing. Children are being called obese now they can’t feel protected in there own yard as you can’t trust dogs let alone trust wild ones. Elderly people are getting pets to walk and keep healthy now they’ll be to afraid to go anywhere. This should have been a vote for the thousands of people that are playing properly taxes not just a few people on council. The population of PEOPLE in North Bay is already dropping scaring people away will keep dropping.
Y not let the hunters come in for food and feed their families forget the wolves. Or take the deer and release them into woods. As active hunters we barely have any deer left in our area we will love to get some meat to fill our freezers. If this is all true that is!!!
I think it is irresponsible of whoever published this scaremongering bullshit. As for “stupid North Bay people” believing it, well it is very well written and in a format that is quite professional…
I find it insulting and condescending to North Bay people to be described as stupid and gullible for believing it but I think it’s a reflection of the lack of faith that regular people have in the decision making of those in “authority”!
I guess this is why we are having an election to rid our city of 12 councillors who think they are gods and who are screwing with nature . I’ll take a deer in my garden any day over a couple of hungry wolves in my back yard where my grandkids play.. Maybe we should get our super efficient environmental enforcement gang at City hall to monitor and imprison people who cause most of this issue by feeding the deer in the first place. Do all these wolves have names so we can recall them once their job is done or have they been neutered so the can’t grow the pack. Seriously folks , this is all a big joke
Greg
This is epicly funny, but the comments vie for top spot with actual article!