Wolf-like animal caught in Akwesasne

The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe’s Animal Control Officer Derek Comins assisted in the capture of what officials believe is a wolf-dog hybrid that was roaming in the Tarbell Road area of Akwesasne.

The animal is currently being held in captivity and blood and fur samples have been sent away to determine its DNA makeup.

Residents of Tarbell Road had reported seeing the animal in recent weeks and had been feeding it. Wolves are generally not fearful of humans and this apparent hybrid showed signs of familiarity with people.

“He was actually eating food out of my hand,” said Comins.

Despite the animal’s friendliness, Comins was assisted by Dan Morgan, Wildlife Biologist and Mark Carrara, District Supervisor, both of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services in capturing the animal. Its future will be determined by the outcome of DNA tests and the availability of a refuge, according to a press release from the SRMT.

Eleven months ago two wolf-like dogs were spotted in the Frogtown district of Akwesasne and residents were fearful and suspecting of rabies. Both animals were shot and killed.

The remains were sent away for testing and just last week the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe released a statement of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) findings regarding the animals.

Their conclusion was that both animals were wolf-dog hybrids and were related to a similar wolf-dog hybrid that was killed in Parishville, NY.

The USFWS had become involved out of concern that the Endangered Species Act had been violated; it is illegal to kill wolves. However, because the animals were wolf-dog hybrids they are not legally protected.

Still, all three wolf-dog hybrids found in Akwesasne raise concerns about the safety of families who may be secretly breeding wolves and dogs or who may come in contact with the animals after they’ve escaped captivity or been set free.

According to the SRMT, wolves who are raised with human families view the children as fellow pack members, which can be dangerous when the wolf reaches adulthood and a struggle for dominance begins.

“It’s usually at this point when the owner will let the animal out into the wild to fend for itself,” said Comins. “The hybrid can become a threat to the children’s safety.  Unfortunately, when released, it has no pack membership, may have difficulty fending for itself, and may attempt to attach itself to humans again. The owners are unable to take the proper responsibility for a hybrid at that point in their development.”

The SRMT and state and federal officials are concerned as to the origin of the animals and unless someone comes forward they will not likely ever learn where the hybrids came from. The wolf DNA found in the killed animals was that of Alaskan wolf.

Community members who come across a wolf-like animal in the wild should notify authorities and refrain from killing it, as the killing of an animal protected by the ESA is punishable by up to a $50,000 fine and a year in prison.

The SRMT also reminded community members that the wolf is a clan of the Mohawk, and “rather than destroying a clan animal one should consider themselves privileged to have a rare opportunity to see one in the wild.”