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Serving Northern St. Louis County, Minnesota

State’s wolf population appears to be stable

Marshall Helmberger
Posted 8/12/15

REGIONAL—Minnesota’s wolf population appears to be stable, according to the latest survey results released by the Department of Natural Resources this week.

The latest numbers suggest that a …

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State’s wolf population appears to be stable

Posted

REGIONAL—Minnesota’s wolf population appears to be stable, according to the latest survey results released by the Department of Natural Resources this week.

The latest numbers suggest that a total of 374 wolf packs, including 2,221 individual wolves, currently reside in Minnesota, primarily within the northeastern-most third of the state.

While this year’s specific population estimate is lower than last year’s estimate of 2,423 wolves, the variations are not statistically significant according to the DNR.

The population survey is conducted in mid-winter near the low point of the annual population cycle. Immediately following birth of pups each spring, the wolf population typically doubles, though many pups do not survive to the following winter.

The DNR develops its wolf population estimate using three primary methods. The agency estimates the total area of the state inhabited by wolves, which is currently pegged at just over 70,000 square kilometers, or approximately 27,000 square miles. Then the agency uses data from the roughly 40 radio-collared packs in the state to estimate the average size of a wolf territory as well as the average number of wolves per pack.

“Results from the 2015 wolf survey demonstrate that the wolf population remains well established across northern and central Minnesota,” said Dan Stark, large carnivore specialist for the DNR. Although the population estimate was not significantly different from last year, wolf packs observed were slightly larger this winter than in previous years, increasing from an average of 4.4 to 5.1 wolves per pack. Also, wolf packs now appear to be using larger territories, with average territory size increasing from 58 square miles in 2014 to about 73 square miles last winter.

The DNR’s goal for wolf management, as outlined in the state’s wolf management plan, is to ensure the long-term survival of wolves in Minnesota while addressing wolf-human conflicts. Wolves in Minnesota returned to the federal list of threatened species as a result of a Washington, D.C., federal district court ruling in December 2014. At this point, the DNR has not scheduled a wolf hunt for the 2015 season.

You can read the full report, FAQs, and an overview of wolf management at the DNR’s website at www.mndnr. gov/ wolves.