These last 3 decades have been awash in rumours about the type of wildlife residing through the Headwaters area of Ontario and its resulting watercourses (sorry, no Big Foots).
This winter was particularly ripe, due imaginably to the harshness of the winter. These blistery cold last few months resulted in dozens of local folks losing their mid-sized family pets to, presumably, Coyotes or Coyo/Wolves. Normally this would happen well after dark, where the animal was lured away from their owner and property.
Now the real pending question is: was there something more avaricious meandering down through our watercourses, following the deer and other prey?
Many reliable and credible individuals swear that they have spotted at least one prowling cougar in their neighbourhood these last 2 winters. A resident of Mulmur proclaims that she observed a good-sized cat down a deer near Earl Rowe Park.
There have been numerous other sightings as far south as the Olde Base Line and Kennedy Road area (near the proposed Kanneff Golf Course), where a large cat, with a sizable tail was spotted, and its leaping paw prints were discovered in the fresh snow and discussed at nauseam by several family members.
Last but not least, personally, on several occasions over the last 3 decades, while walking our large dogs, packs of wolves have been spotted patrolling the lower reaches of the Forks of the Credit River during equally harsh winters. Singular wolves have also been spotted with greater frequency over the years. Below is a photo of an autumn wolf kill from west of Orangeville. Clearly this is not a 50 to 60 pound coyote or some slightly larger cross.
We do think it is important to note however, that we should salute this biodiversity rather than hunker down and start to imagine a pending wildlife Armageddon. It proves the validity and the absolute necessity to protect these natural wildlife Migration Corridors. Clearly the ability for animals to seek refuge in these deep, sheltered river valleys, especially during the fortified winters of late, is tantamount to their continued existence.
May we conclude, by reminding all concerned that this first designated Natural Wonder, the Niagara Escarpment, was the vision of Mr. John Robarts, the swashbuckling 17th Premier of Ontario. A sometimes-misunderstood visionary who almost single handily vaulted Ontario into the 20th century, socially, economically and philosophically… “The times they are a changing”!
Please let us know if you too have spotted some large game, traversing through or near your property. We would be happy to post your photos and story!
