UPDATED: Hunting and trapping coyotes may soon be restricted in Cardiff and Chandos

Hunting and trapping coyotes in may soon be restricted in communities around Queen Elizabeth II Wildland Provincial Park.This comes as the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry is proposing the government introduce three more protection areas for coyotes and Algonquin wolves outside of Algonquin Park.

Earthroots, an environmental organization, says the reason to add coyotes to the list is because it is hard to distinguish them from Algonquin Wolves, which are classified as a threatened species.

The organization is hoping the species’ protection area will range from Killarney to Algonquin Provincial Parks, and from the Ottawa Valley to Fenelon Falls and Buckhorn.

The global Algonquin Wolf population has less than 1,00 mature animals left, with about 65 per cent living in Ontario.

Prince Edward Hastings MPP Todd Smith says, according the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, no evidence suggests the wolf population is on the decline.

Smith says, if the proposal were passed, the livelihoods of hunters and trappers would be seriously impacted, along with meaning farmers could no longer protect their livestock from wolves and coyotes.

You are being asked to voice your opinion on the restrictions to the provincial government by Monday.