Wolves spotted around Giant Mine in Yellowknife

Wolveshave been spotted around Yellowknife in the area aroundGiant Mine, wildlife officials in the Northwest Territories say.

The wolves have been spotted individually and in packs, as recently as last weekaround the boat launch near the Giant Mine remediation site, the Great Slave Sailing Club, Back Bay and Yellowknife Bay, according to a release from the territory's Environment Department.

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The wolves look like big husky dogs andweighabout 40 and50 kilograms, the release states.

Officials warnresidents about walking their pets around these areas and warnpeople tostay more than 100 metres away from the wolves.

"Begin a scare tactic immediately well before the wolf is within 100 metres," the release states. "Raise your arms and wave them in order to make yourself appear larger."

Wolf sightings in Yellowknife are not unusual, and conflicts with humans are very rare, the release states. That's because they are "extremely wary of humans and not aggressive toward them by nature."

Butthey have been known to approach humans walking their dogs. In March,one Yellowknife resident and her doghada close encounter with a wolfon Yellowknife Bay.

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The department is advising residents to carry around poles or sticks if they come in contact witha pack of wolves.

"Shout at the wolf if it ventures close to you. If yelling at the wolf has no effect hit the wolf with the walking stick if one comes within striking distance," the release states.

To report a wildlife emergency call the regional office at 867-873-7181.