What was a gray wolf doing so far south in Michigan? The DNR is investigating
The Michigan DNR is investigating after a gray wolf was killed in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, far south of where the state’s known wolf population lives. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is investigating after a gray wolf was killed in Calhoun County, far south of where the state's known wolf population lives. The animal, which weighed 84 pounds and was not seen in that part of Michigan since the early 20th century, was reported to be a large animal by a hunter during a legal coyote hunt. The DNR confirmed that the animal was not part of an established population in the southern Lower Peninsula and is investigating. This is not the first time a wolf has been found in Michigan's Lower Peninsula. Wolves are listed as an endangered species and can only be killed if they threaten human life.
Published : 4 weeks ago by Kayla Clarke in Science
CALHOUN COUNTY, Mich. – The Michigan DNR is investigating after a gray wolf was killed in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, far south of where the state’s known wolf population lives.
A Michigan hunter reported killing a “large animal” in Calhoun County in January during a legal coyote hunt. The hunter told the DNR that he believed the animal was a coyote. The animal weighed 84 pounds. Eastern coyotes usually weigh between 25 to 40 pounds.
Genetic testing was done on the animal and the DNR has now confirmed that it was a gray wolf. That species has not been seen in that part of Michigan since the early part of the 20th century. Wolves used to live throughout the state, but now they are almost only ever found in the Upper Peninsula.
What was the wolf doing in Calhoun County? The DNR doesn’t know, but they are investigating. They do not suspect the wolf was part of an established population in the southern Lower Peninsula.
“This is an unusual case, and the DNR is actively delving into the matter to learn more about this particular animal’s origin,” said Brian Roell, large carnivore specialist for the DNR. “While rare, instances of wolves traversing vast distances have been documented, including signs of wolves in recent decades in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.”
This is not the first time a gray wolf has been found in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. The DNR provided the following examples:
• None In October 2004, a wolf originally collared in the eastern Upper Peninsula was captured and killed by a coyote trapper in Presque Isle County.
• None During winter track surveys in 2011 and 2015, track evidence consistent with wolflike animals was observed in Cheboygan and Emmet counties.
• None In 2014, biologists from the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians captured a wolf on a trail camera during an eagle survey. DNA analysis of scat collected at the site confirmed the animal as a wolf.
The DNR completed winter track surveys in the northern Lower Peninsula in 2019 and found no evidence of wolves. They plan to conduct another track survey in 2025 with help from residents.
Wolves in Michigan are listed as an endangered species by federal court order. Wolves can only be killed if they are threatening human life. Livestock owners can be compensated for losses caused by wolves.
Because the investigation is ongoing, the DNR is not sharing photos of the wolf found in Calhoun County.
More information on Michigan’s wolf population can be found at Michigan.gov/Wolves.
Topics: Wildlife, Wolves