Research in Killarney Park

We work with partners to support research projects in Killarney Provincial Park. 

The Recovery of Killarney Lakes from Acid Rain

Over 40 years ago, lakes in Killarney Park were acidified by atmospheric pollutants from the Sudbury smelter complex and other industrial sources. Most of the Killarney lakes were damaged by the late 1970s resulting in acidic pH levels, extremely clear waters and the loss of many species including fish, amphibians and birds.

In summer 2021, research students Haley and Genevieve, from Laurentian University’s Living with Lakes Centre, were in Killarney Provincial Park studying the chemical and biological recovery of the acidification of these lakes. Results from the study are not yet available but promising observations were made by the researchers including signs of chemical recovery and recovery of indicator species. Stay tuned for future updates!

Lake Trout Research

Laurentian University M.Sc. student Jasmine Louste-Fillion and OMNRF fisheries technologist Lee Haslam return lake trout embryos to the spawning sites on Ruth-Roy lake after an absence of trout in this lake for more than 60 years. This unique experiment is part of the lake trout restoration work that the Friends of Killarney support through a grant to Dr. John Gunn at the Vale Living with Lakes Centre at Laurentian University. 

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Eastern Wolf Study

We support a study on the threatened eastern red wolf. Thanks to the work of this study, the eastern wolf (now know as the Algonquin wolf) is now classified as 'threatened' on the Species at Risk in Ontario list under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The species and its habitat are now protected under the ESA. 

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Loon & Butterfly Surveys

The regular monitoring of loon and butterfly populations in the park provides critical insight into their species health, and the health of the ecosystems in the park. 

​These one-day events are led by Ontario Parks naturalist staff. The spring loon count is held the second Saturday of June, the NABA butterfly count is held the second Saturday of July, and the summer loon count is held the second Saturday in August. 

For more information, or to sign up, please contact killarneydiscovery@ontario.ca or call (705) 287-2900.