The wolves of Parc national du Mont‑Tremblant

The largest area devoted to conservation in the south of Québec, Parc national du Mont-Tremblant protects a diverse range of wildlife that typically inhabits broad expanses of dense forest, including the wolf. This member of the canid family—which sits atop the food chain—roams a vast area to find the prey it needs to survive. Studies have shown that all of the wolf packs in the park also travel outside its boundaries in search of food. We all have a role to play in protecting this great predator that is key to the health of ecosystems.

Snapshot of a wolf in the L'Assomption sector of the park. Pierre-Yves Lafrance | © Sépaq
Snapshot of a wolf in the L'Assomption sector of the park.

Videos

View our videos to gain a better understanding of the role that wolves play in the forest ecosystem of the park and the region.

See the videos (in French only)

At Parc national du Mont-Tremblant, the wolves usually live in packs of between two and ten individuals. © Shutterstock
At Parc national du Mont-Tremblant, the wolves usually live in packs of between two and ten individuals.

An apex predator that's key to the natural balance of ecosystems

Due to its impact on the entire food chain, and to the fact that it protects the natural environment from excessive grazing, the wolf is considered a keystone species whose presence is essential in maintaining balanced ecosystems. It has also been scientifically proven that this predator helps promote biodiversity.

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One of the 21 canids (wearing a muzzle in the photo) captured as part of the study of the wolves in Parc national du Mont-Tremblant. Emilie Dorion | © Sépaq
One of the 21 canids (wearing a muzzle in the photo) captured as part of the study of the wolves in Parc national du Mont-Tremblant.

A major study on the park's wolves

Between 2015 and 2018, a number of wolves in the park were tracked using satellite collars. This major project allowed researchers to map the home range of several packs, giving us a better understanding of how these top predators use the land in and around the park.

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A female wolf and her one-month-old cub outside their den. © Shutterstock
A female wolf and her one-month-old cub outside their den.

Dens and rendezvous sites

Since dens and rendezvous sites are highly sensitive to human disruption, the park’s wildlife technicians visited a number of them with a view to understanding—and, ultimately—protecting them better.

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The large canids living inside and outside the park often are often hybrids. © Shutterstock
The large canids living inside and outside the park often are often hybrids.

Regional genetic diversity of large canids

A 2017 study released by Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs on over 400 DNA samples from canids in Québec provided a new perspective on the genetic makeup of the region’s wolves.

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Since wolves are present throughout the territory, there’s a chance you’ll hear them howl when you stay overnight at Parc national du Mont-Tremblant. © Shutterstock
Since wolves are present throughout the territory, there’s a chance you’ll hear them howl when you stay overnight at Parc national du Mont-Tremblant.

Wolf pack protection plan

Discover the conservation measures and efforts undertaken by Parc national du Mont-Tremblant to protect the wolves.

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The wolf, a large predator long persecuted by humans, is today considered a species essential to the health of ecosystems, and one that requires conservation efforts. © Shutterstock
The wolf, a large predator long persecuted by humans, is today considered a species essential to the health of ecosystems, and one that requires conservation efforts.

Learn more

The wolf is an animal that has been studied intensively, not only in Québec, but around the world. There is a wealth of documentation and resources available online to satisfy your curiosity.

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