By Cory Olsen
GRAND RAPIDS, MI — If you’re headed up north for a weekend of skiing, hiking or fishing, take special note of any furry creatures you see loping along in packs.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is looking for evidence of wolves in the northern Upper Peninsula.
That doesn’t mean that there are wolves in the L.P., but the DNR wants to know, either way.
“Given the low probability of observing an actual wolf or its tracks in the Lower Peninsula,” said
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DNR wildlife biologist Jennifer Kleitch said there’s a low probability of observing a wolf or its tracks in the Lower Peninsula, but they want to be sure, either way.
“It’s helpful to have as many eyes looking as possible and that’s why public reports are so important,” Kleitch said.
Wolves began naturally returning to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula via Canada and Wisconsin in the early 1990s. Since that time populations have increased and continue to expand their range.
Evidence of range expansion into the Lower Peninsula came when a gray wolf was accidentally killed in Presque Isle County in 2004.
Wolf sightings or tracks believed to have been from a wolf, between Feb. 11 and March 8 can be reported to the Gaylord Operations Service Center at 989-732-3541, ext. 5901.
Reports of observations can also be submitted online atwww.dnr.state.mi.us/wildlife/pubs/wolf_obsreport.asp.
Survey teams will respond to areas where there have been one or more observations. Priority will be placed on recent reports and those submitted during the survey period.
“It’s important that observations are reported promptly so we can work with fresh evidence,” Kleitch said. “If the public finds what they believe are wolf tracks, they should preserve the track, disturbing it as little as possible, or take a photo of the tracks with a ruler.“
“If someone has a photo of a wolf in the Lower Peninsula, we’d certainly be interested in that as well.”
The DNR is partnering in this survey effort with USDA Wildlife Services, Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, Little River Band of Ottawa Indians and Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians.