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  • Upper Peninsula Wolves on the Way to Recovery

    • Volume 1 Number 2, Summer 1995

    Everyone says the first time you hear a wolf howl, it's sure to raise the hair on the back of your neck. Well, the opportunity to have this experience or actually spy a wolf is getting better, as Michigan's wolf population took another big step forward last year. Winter tracking counts and aerial surveys during the 1995 January to March census period confirmed 80 wolves, in 12 packs, distributed across the Upper Peninsula. In addition, researchers counted 16 wolves, in 3 packs, on Isle Royale in 1995. The mainland population showed the greatest increase over the estimate of 57 wolves in 1994.

    Increases in the Upper Peninsula are due to natural immigration, primarily from Wisconsin and Ontario. One wolf tagged as a pup near Ely, Minnesota in 1991 found its way to Michigan and was recaptured last year in Iron County. Several litters of pups, produced each year since a single pack produced pups in 1991, have added the Upper Peninsula wolf population. Biologists credit the increase of gray wolves in Michigan to increased protection for wolves through the federal and state endangered species acts. But just as important has been the changing attitudes and growing support for wolves by Upper Peninsula residents and other Michigan citizens.

    Wolves may soon meet the federal delisting goal of a stable population in Minnesota and over 100 wolves in Wisconsin and Michigan combined, for a period of five consecutive years. The Michigan and Wisconsin wolf population exceeded 100 animals in 1994 and 1995. If this continues, wolves would be considered for removal from the federal endangered species list in 1998.

    The Michigan Gray Wolf Recovery Team has nearly completed its final draft of the Michigan Gray Wolf Recovery and Management Plan. The plan will provide the Michigan wolf population goals and management recommendations for the Upper Peninsula wolves. No wolf population is recommended for the Lower Peninsula. The plan is expected to be available for public comment later this year.

  • Wolves Continue Strong Recovery

    • Volume 2, Number 2, Spring 1996

    The 1995 winter wolf track survey has been completed. The good news is Michigan's wolf population continues to increase. This year's count totaled 116 wolves in 20 packs. This is up over the 80 animals counted during the 1994 winter track survey.

    A Grey Wolf Recovery Plan has been drafted and is available for public review. The plan can be seen at one of 46 local libraries serviced by the Michigan State Library across the state. A two page executive summary is available from the DNR by writing to: Wolf Plan, Wildlife Division, PO Box 30444, Lansing, MI 48909-7944. Comments on the plan are due to the Wildlife Division by July 15, 1996.

    Michigan Department of Natural Resources




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