Park managers at Isle Royale National Park grew concerned over the summer as two wolves repeatedly accessed human food at campgrounds. Throughout June and July, the wolves were frequently spotted in campgrounds and developed areas, showing signs of habituation and reliance on human food sources. Reports included wolves dragging away food storage bags and backpacks from multiple campsites.
Despite efforts to curb the behavior including aversive conditioning, updated waste management practices, and stricter food storage regulations, the wolves continued to exhibit increasing boldness around visitors, campsites, and staff housing.
In August, park officials made the difficult decision to lethally remove one of the wolves due to a rising number of concerning incidents reported by visitors. The action followed extensive monitoring and unsuccessful deterrence attempts, with consultations involving state, federal, and tribal agencies.
“Our priority remains the safety of park visitors and staff, and the protection of wildlife in their natural state, including our objective to maintain a wild wolf population. While lethal removal is deeply unfortunate, it became necessary due to a growing public safety risk. All who appreciate and enjoy Isle Royale National Park need to understand the importance of adherence and vigilance to food storage regulations and our collective role in minimizing negative human-wildlife interactions.” -Isle Royale Superintendent, Denice Swanke
The timber wolf, has been the prevailing predator of Isle Royale National Park since its arrival to the island in the late 1940s. It is largely agreed upon that wolves arrived on Isle Royale by crossing an ice bridge that formed between the island and the Canadian mainland during the winter of 1948. Since this initial introduction of island wolves, the population has varied from 50 animals in 1980 to a low of two animals between 2016 and 2018. Wolf population oscillation is driven by the availability of wolves’ primary food source of older moose and calves and the spread of canine diseases to the island. Also genetic inbreeding of the island population has led to physical deformities and has, at times, resulted in low productivity and survival.
Park personnel will continue monitoring wolf-human interactions and will only remove additional wolves if deemed necessary.
Wolf Sanctuary Safety Guidelines:
Wolves are usually wary of people and will leave an area when they hear or smell humans. Help keep yourself and Isle Royale wolves safe by following these guidelines:
- Do not provide food directly or indirectly. Stow your food properly to limit the smell and do not leave food or garbage in campsites or picnic areas. Dispose of fish remains in water that is at least 50 feet deep or at least 200 feet from campgrounds, water sources, and trails.
- If you meet a wolf at close range (less than 25 feet) and it does not leave or is advancing, do what you can to terminate the encounter. Back away or make noise, but do not run away. If you observe them at more than 25 feet, leave the area but do not run.
- If a wolf appears to show unusual behavior, such as lack of fear of humans, please report your sighting to park staff.
- If you come upon a dead moose, keep moving away from the carcass. Wolves may be present and will be more aggressive to protect the food source. Let park staff know the location of the carcass.
- No pets are allowed on the island. Wolves are territorial and will view a domestic canine as a threat. Domestic dogs can also spread canine diseases like parvovirus and distemper, which are deadly to wolves.
Related: Michigan National Park Implements New Food Storage Regulations
Images from Isle Royale National Park, pexels.com
