A wolf conservation group is calling for buffer zones around seven national parks in the Canadian Rockies to protect wolves.

The Northern Lights Wildlife Wolf Centre is appealing to federal Environment Minister John Baird and Parks Canada to work with the provinces of B.C. and Alberta to create buffer zones that would protect wolves around Banff, Yoho, Jasper, Kootenay, Glacier, Mount Revelstoke and Waterton National Parks.

Officials with the group say science has shown these designated wilderness areas are not big enough to maintain a healthy population of wolves, and are too small to effectively conserve biodiversity.

They say the Central Rocky Mountain corridor is essential in maintaining a healthy gene flow among wolves between Canada and the United States, but say pressures from industrial, commercial, and recreational activities are compromising that.

"The territory of every wolf pack in the national parks extends outside of the protected areas," said Sadie Parr, wildlife interpreter with the Northern Lights Wildlife Wolf Centre.

"It's time for something to be done because human-caused mortality continues to be the biggest threat to long-term health of wolf populations in the Central Rocky Mountains."

The Northern Lights Wildlife Wolf Centre, which is based in Golden, is running an online survey to help generate support for the cause. To read or sign the petition, go to

www.northernlightswildlife.com

As well, the group has been working towards the formation of a Canadian Wolf Coalition to unite groups to work together on conservation efforts for wolves and other wildlife.

Currently, wolves are protected within the boundaries of the mountain national parks, but even within these boundaries, wolves are killed by vehicles and trains.

Outside the parks, the animals face even more pressure from hunting, trapping and poisoning.

The group is specifically asking for a 50-km buffer zone surrounding each national park. Their proposal includes a ban on hunting and trapping in buffer zones and restricted use of motorized recreational vehicles.

"The bottom line for this is habitat protection, because where there's no habitat, there's no wildlife," said Parr.

Tania Peters, Parks Canada's acting media relations and executive services officer for Lake Louise, Kootenay and Yoho, said Parks Canada supports any initiative to improve ecological integrity in national parks.

"Wildlife clearly doesn't respect jurisdictional boundaries," said Peters. "We'd want to be involved, but we want to know what that looks like and see what our role will be."