Problem wolf killed by DNR
By MARTY KOVARIK
Journal Correspondent
NEWBERRY — In a small farming community in Mackinac County last week, the state used lethal means in dealing with a nuisance wolf for the first time in modern history.
Last Monday, officials from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources shot a wolf feeding on a calf on a farm north of Engadine.
Under Federal law, this only became a legal option for the state as of April 1.
“The state worked quickly under this new law,” said Tom Weise, DNR wildlife supervisor for the eastern Upper Peninsula in Newberry.
The problem began on a large dairy farm on May 31 when what appeared to be a single wolf killed a calf, dragged it across a road and fed on it. In an effort to deal with the problem wolf, the DNR set traps but was unable to catch the animal.
On July 30, a second calf was killed on a different farm about three miles away. The same method of operation was used, as the calf was killed on the farmland, dragged across the road and fed upon. Again traps were set in an unsuccessful effort to target the animal.
“On Monday at 4 a.m., the farmer where the first calf was killed saw a wolf by the barn,” Weise said. “It had killed another calf.”
Wildlife assistant Terry Gouza, who was running the investigation on the nuisance wolf, drove to the farm. By the time Gouza arrived at the scene, the wolf had once again dragged the calf across the road and was feeding on it. At that point, Gouza destroyed the wolf
“The goal when working under the authority of this law is to be selective and get the specific animal that is doing the damage,” Weise said. “You can’t be any more selective than that.”
According to Weise, several things point to this being the wolf that was killing calves in the area. During the investigation, there was only one set of small wolf tracks found. In addition, at each kill the wolf attacked the animal on the farm and dragged it across a road to feed on it.
“We are not trying to get rid of wolves in the Upper Peninsula, just the problem wolves,” Weise said. “It has been shown in other situations that if you can target and remove the nuisance animal, you eliminate the problem.”
The wolf, a small female weighing about 65 pounds, will be sent downstate to Rose Lake for a necropsy. There they will look for evidence inside the wolf to document that is was the calf killer.
It is believed that the small wolf is a young animal, Weise said, speculating that this was a subordinate female, perhaps ousted from a larger pack and looking for her own area to feed.
It was originally thought that the wolf would be reclassified from endangered to threatened in Michigan during July 2001. However, a change in administration and governmental red tape delayed the planned reclassification.
The new laws were officially published in the National Register on April 1. To be reclassified from endangered to threatened, the DNR had to prove that Michigan had a population of at least 100 wolves for a five-year period.
Reclassification gives the DNR or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service the authority to use lethal means on nuisance animals. In addition, tribal law enforcement can use this authority on tribal lands. Prior to reclassification, the only option for dealing with a problem wolf in Michigan was trapping and relocating.
Under Federal law, before lethal means are used to control a nuisance wolf, there must be history of a problem in the area and the action is limited to within one mile of the kill site.
“The wolf is listed as a threatened animal and is still federally protected,” Weise said. “It is not legal for private citizens to take action into their own hands.”
In this situation, Weise said the law worked very well because the farmer called in immediately upon seeing the wolf.
“If someone has a problem with a wolf, it is very important to call right away,” Weise said. “They can call their local DNR, or on evenings or weekends use the RAP line (800-292-7800).”
Because the Upper Peninsula is largely unpopulated and has an abundant supply of food, once the wolf naturally reintroduced itself the population steadily grew. According to the annual winter wolf survey, which observes tracks from the ground and collared wolves from the air, it is estimated that the U.P. has a minimum of 321 wolves.