Early Settlement
Myths:
-thought wolves had rabies
-believed in werewolves
Misunderstandings:
-newcomers occupied habitat
-wolves hunted livestock and game
Result:
-bounty established in 1792

It was not until the Europeans settlers arrived in Canada that wolves were persecuted by humans. Many of Europe’s wolf species were already extinct due to myths and misunderstandings. Some European settlers thought wolves had rabies. Others believed that children born on Christmas Eve would become werewolves. The settlers occupied land that had once been the wolves’ natural habitat. In their search for food, local wolves sometimes hunted livestock and old or sick game animals. In 1792, a bounty was established and hunters were paid to kill wolves. Next
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