As opportunities to enjoy the Northern lights fade into the spring, North Star Adventures has been guiding clients out to enjoy the phenomenon before itSA国际影视传媒檚 gone for the season.

But on a recent outing, something happened that caused a bit of fear to set in.

A couple who signed up to take a tour with the company said they encountered a wolf-like animal during an evening sight-seeing excursion on the Ingraham Trail.

SA国际影视传媒淲e always want it to be safety first,SA国际影视传媒� said Joe Bailey, owner of North Star Adventures. SA国际影视传媒淲hen we arrived at the location, we saw something that was moving in the area. At the time, we couldnSA国际影视传媒檛 tell what it was, so I told everyone to stay inside the vehicle.SA国际影视传媒�

While at one of the stops along the trail SA国际影视传媒� a spot where tourists can get a good view of the aurora SA国际影视传媒� the female client felt something tugging and scratching at her arm while she was inside of the SUV with her window down.

Bailey said she began to scream.

SA国际影视传媒淚 freaked out and asked what happened, and she said thereSA国际影视传媒檚 something tugging at her,SA国际影视传媒� he recalled. SA国际影视传媒淚 immediately shut the window (and) everybody was scared.SA国际影视传媒�

When Bailey shone a light toward the object, they saw a wolf-like animal trotting away.

No one was injured as a result.

This wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 the first time an incident involving wildlife occurred while Bailey had tourists out on the land. He said there was a bear encounter about 10 years ago and thatSA国际影视传媒檚 why he always shoots a SA国际影视传媒渂ear bangerSA国际影视传媒� every time they travel to a remote location for Northern lights viewing.

SA国际影视传媒淭o travel in the North, itSA国际影视传媒檚 not only about seeing the aurora, but also the wilderness and the wildlife. We are on their land, and at the same time, we know to respect it,SA国际影视传媒� Bailey said.

Yellowknifer contacted Mike Westwick, manager of communications and public affairs for the Department of Environment and Climate Change, about the incident. He said there have been no reported negative interactions with wolves on the Ingraham Trail, but there have been several sightings around the North Slave region. He also said wildlife officers have not had to be dispatched for any incidents.

Westwick did remind people that although wolves tend to avoid human contact, it is breeding season, which means wolf sightings may be more common than usual. The predators are known to be aggressive toward domestic animals this time of year.

SA国际影视传媒淒onSA国际影视传媒檛 let the wolf come closer than 100 metres, stay calm, donSA国际影视传媒檛 run away, back away slowly, maintain eye contact, donSA国际影视传媒檛 turn your back, act aggressive, make yourself big (and) yell,SA国际影视传媒� he advised. SA国际影视传媒淭hrow things only if the animal becomes aggressive, and when itSA国际影视传媒檚 safe, call the wildlife emergency number.SA国际影视传媒�

That number in Yellowknife is 873-7181.