Northern Lower Peninsula wolf survey starts Feb. 16

Feb. 16 through March 13 marks the next wolf track survey to detect the presence of gray wolves in the northern Lower Peninsula.

“The probability of observing an actual wolf or its tracks in the Lower Peninsula is low,” said DNR wildlife biologist Jennifer Kleitch. “It’s helpful to have as many eyes as possible looking, so public reports are important for this survey.”

Wolves began naturally returning to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula through Canada and Wisconsin in the early 1990s. Since that time, populations have increased and their range continues to expand. 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. 16 and March 13, can be reported to the DNR’s Gaylord Customer Service Center at 989-732-3541, ext. 5901. Reports of observations also can be submitted online at www.dnr.state.mi.us/wildlife/pubs/wolf_obsreport.asp.

Survey teams will respond to the areas with recent reports, searching locations where there have been one or more reported observations. Priority will be placed on recent reports and those submitted during the survey period.

“It’s important that observations are reported in a timely manner so we can work with fresh evidence. If the public finds what they believe are wolf tracks, they should preserve the physical evidence and disturb it as little as possible or take a photo of the tracks with a ruler,” said Kleitch. “We’d also be very interested in any pictures of a wolf in the Lower Peninsula.”

Information on wolves in Michigan and links to other wolf-related Web pages can be found at www.michigan.gov/wolves.

The DNR will work together with USDA Wildlife Services, the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians and the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians in this survey effort.