A recent genetic study of wolves and coyotes of the eastern states has produced some undesired results and has had a few scientists grumbling. Washington Post
In general the more east and the more south one goes the less wolf a given animal is and the more coyote. The eastern coyotee itself is part wolf part dog. Reminds me of this mountain town I know where the most confusing holiday is Father's Day.
I seem to remember somewhere in the statement the Federal Government issued along with their intent to delist the thousands of upper Great Lakes wolves was that some of the wolves are considered "eastern wolves" and a separate unthreatened species.
Genetics has had some interesting affects on animal classifications.
Coyote (loi percent)
Understandably wildlife managers say this won't have an affect on long term goals. Coyote just sounds so much less cool than wolf.
I should start a movement to save Wiley E Coyote's genetic purity in the Southern Rocky Mountains.
I also remember an incident in I think it was Quebec Province or maybe another eastern Canadian Province where a famous female folk singer was taken down by a pack of coyotes and killed last year. Knowing they were part wolf would make a lot more sense, the packing up behavior as well as the attack on an animal that looks like prey (running).
North Carolina's conservation efforts look less serious when you realize it's mostly a song doggie. Gosh knows we have plenty here we could send if they'd pay shipping.