International Wolf Center
Teaching the World About Wolves
Wild Kids!
Educators
Basic Wolf Information
Wolves of the World

LEARN

Wolves of the World
Return to: World Map | United States Map
Minnesota

Minnesota at a glance

Gray wolves once existed throughout Minnesota, however removal began shortly after European settlement. Wolves were removed from Minnesota mostly by poisoning. A state-directed wolf control program persisted until gray wolves were added to the endangered species list in 1974. At that time, the wolf population numbered approximately 750 animals. Minnesota is the only state in the contiguous United States that has always held a viable gray wolf population. In 2007, the wolf population in Minnesota was taken off the endangered species list, and management was turned over to the state. Main prey for wolves there are deer, moose and beaver. Wolves occupy approximately 40 percent of the map shown, with most wolves occupying the northeastern portion of the state. Range lines are not depicted.

Species Information

Species
Common Name: gray wolf
Latin Name: Canis lupus

Subspecies
Common Name: great plains wolf, timber wolf
Latin Name: Canis lupus nubilus

Current Wolf Population, Trend, Status
Number of wolves: 2,922 (2008)
Population trend: Increasing
Legal status: Federal protection with some exceptions

Human Relationships

Attitudes & Issues
Current information on public attitudes and controversial issues in Minnesota.

History
Information related to the history of wolves in Minnesota.

Recovery & Management
Information related to legal status, regulations and management plans and practices in Minnesota.

Depredation
Information related to depredation issues, compensation and prevention in Minnesota.

Wolf-Human Interactions
Informatin related to human coexistence, hunting competition with humans, ecotourism and tips for living with wolves in Minnesota.


Ecology

Biology
Descriptions of species/subspecies present: physiology and unique characteristics as well as information related to distribution of wolves in Minnesota.

Habitat
Descriptions of ecosystems where wolves live, wildland topics and human land use related to Minnesota.

Prey & Predation
Descriptions of prey animals and information on their relationship to wolves in Minnesota.