Gray wolves once existed throughout Michigan; however, removal began shortly after European settlement. Wolves were removed primarily through poisoning between 1838 and 1960. Within a few years after their protection under the Endangered Species Act, wolves began immigrating from Wisconsin, and in 1991 a wolf pack was confirmed to be reproducing in Michigan. The wolf's main prey there are deer, elk, moose and beaver. Wolf range is approximately 25 percent of the map shown, including 90 percent of the Upper Peninsula and 100 percent on Isle Royale, which is not shown. Range lines are not depicted.
Isle Royale is an island in northwestern Lake Superior. This island is 44.5 miles (71.8 km) long and 8.3 miles (13.4 km) at its widest, with an area of 210 square miles (544 square km). In this national park, no year-around human inhabitants are allowed; however, the island is a permanent home to wolves and moose. Wolf research began on the island in 1958and has continued as the longest continuous study of wolves in the world.
Satellite image of Lake Superior with Isle Royale located near the northwestern shore.
Species Information
Species
Common Name: gray wolf
Latin Name:
Canis lupus
Subspecies
Common Names: great plains wolf, timber wolf
Latin Name:
Canis lupus nubilus
Current Wolf Population, Trend, Status
Number of wolves: about 500, including 20 on Isle Royale in 2007
Population trend: Increasing
Legal status: Full federal protection, with full protection on
Isle Royale
Human Relationships
History Information related to the history of wolves in Michigan.
Recovery & Management
Information related to legal status, regulations and management plans and practices in Michigan.
Depredation
Information related to depredation issues, compensation and prevention in Michigan.
Ecology
Biology
Descriptions of species/subspecies present: physiology and unique characteristics as well as information related to distribution of wolves in Michigan.
Habitat
Descriptions of ecosystems where wolves live, wildland topics and human land use related to Michigan.
