Gray wolves once existed throughout Wisconsin; however, killing began shortly after European settlement. Wolves were removed primarily by shooting or trapping between 1865 and 1957. Within a few years after their protection under the Endangered Species Act, wolves immigrated from Minnesota and established territories in Wisconsin. Wolves are protected by the state. Attitudes by the general public are fairly positive toward wolves, but wolves continue to be controversial. About one-quarter to one-half of wolf mortality in recent years there was due to illegal killing by humans. Main prey for wolves in Wisconsin are deer, beaver, and in central areas, turkey. Wolf range is approximately 25 percent of the map shown, with wolves occupying the northern portion and a small central portion of the state. Range lines are not depicted.
Species Information
Species
Common Name: gray wolf
Latin Name:
Canis lupus
Potential species designation under debate by the scientific community:
Common Name: eastern wolf, timber wolf
Latin Name:
Canis lycaon
Location: C. lupus and the potential C. lycaon
are indistinguishable from each other physically, behaviorally and
ecologically. The only way to tell the difference between them is a
genetic test and comparison. Both inhabit the northern half of Wisconsin.
Current Wolf Population, Trend, Status
Number of wolves: 825, late winter 2011
Population trend: Increasing
Legal status: State managed (as of January 27, 2012)
Wolves resting in Wisconsin, WI DNR
Wolves traveling in Wisconsin, WI DNR
Human Relationships
History Information related to the history of wolves in Wisconsin.
Recovery & Management Information related to legal status, regulations and management plans and practices in Wisconsin.
Depredation Information related to depredation issues, compensation and prevention in Wisconsin.
Ecology
Biology Descriptions of subspecies present: physiology and unique characteristics as well as information related to distribution of wolves in Wisconsin.
Habitat Descriptions of ecosystems where wolves live, wildland topics and human land use in Michigan.
