Wolf killed at Yellowknife's Ranney Hill was in bad shape; likely same wolf that bit hiker

This signed warned people about a wolf in the area of Ranney Hill in Yellowknife in September. The trail has since reopened. (Travis Burke/CBC - image credit)
This signed warned people about a wolf in the area of Ranney Hill in Yellowknife in September. The trail has since reopened. (Travis Burke/CBC - image credit)

Though lab tests are inconclusive, the N.W.T. Department of Environment and Climate Change says a wolf killed by wildlife officers at Ranney Hill near Yellowknife last month was likely the same one that bit a hiker in the area.

"Based on other evidence gathered during the investigation, there is strong evidence to suggest the dispatched wolf was the one involved in the incident," wrote Shannon Graf, senior communications officer for the department, in an email Thursday.

The incident on Sept. 8 forced the trail's closure as officers searched the area. The hiker was walking her dog on the trail when the wolf lunged and bit her backside. She was left with puncture wounds and bruises from the bite.

Wildlife officers killed a wolf three days later and sent it for testing to find out if it was the same one involved in the attack.

Graf said the wolf was an adult female in poor physical condition. It tested negative for rabies.

The territorial government's wildlife veterinarian was looking into the incident to potentially explain the wolf's behaviour, telling CBC News last month that "this animal was not acting like a normal wild wolf."

No other wolves have been spotted in the area, Graf added, and the trail has reopened. The department is asking people to be cautious and report any sightings of wolves in the Yellowknife area.