“Our efforts will be concentrated in the norther Lower Peninsula which does contain some limited suitable habitat that could potentially support a small wolf population,” said Brian Roell, Michigan Department of Natural Resources large carnivore specialist in Marquette.
Sightings, photos and other signs of wolf presence can be reported by the public to the
DNR’s Eyes in the Field webpage. Reports including photos or other evidence will be reviewed and a reply will be sent from DNR Wildlife Division staffers.
Those who have wolf information to report, but without access to a computer or smart phone, may contact Tim Riley at the DNR’s Grayling field office at 989-370-7313 or [email protected].
“By enlisting help from the public, we can exponentially increase the number of eyes out there looking for wolves,” Roell said. “With few records of wolves in the northern Lower Peninsula in modern times, efforts to find them will be challenging and there is the distinct possibility that they are not present at this time.”
DNR wildlife biologists said it is important that those making wolf reports do so in a timely manner to give biologists time to confirm fresh wolf sign. Track photos should include a ruler in the frame to show the track size.
Wolves were removed from the state in the early part of the 20th century by habitat loss, bounties and prejudice.
However, with the help of the Endangered Species Act, and a better understanding of the role wolves play in a healthy ecosystem, they began a gradual and natural return to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula through Ontario, Canada and Wisconsin in the early 1990s.
Since that time, the wolf population has increased and now occupies all available suitable habitat throughout the U.P. Surveys have shown that the U.P. wolf population has remained relatively stable over the past 14 years. The latest assessment, conducted during the winter of 2023-2024, estimated a minimum of 768 wolves in the U.P.
“To our knowledge, wolves have not successfully re-established themselves in the Lower Peninsula.
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