UP wolf population reaches ‘carrying capacity’; Michigan DNR advocates delisting species

According to the Michigan DNR, the wolf population in the Upper Peninsula has reached the limit of what the habitat can support.

This is a conclusion from a wintering survey that found that at least 762 wolves live in the UP.

The number is the highest population estimate since 2012.

However, it is within a range that has remained constant over the last 14 years.

At the same time, it is almost certainly an underestimate of the actual wolf population.

“We count wolves when they are at the lowest point in their population cycle. In the spring, when pups are born and things like that happen, the population will spike. It will peak in July or August. That’s when we’ll start losing animals. Then it goes back down until mid-winter when we’re back at the lowest point,” said Brian Roell, DNR large carnivore specialist.

To make this estimate, the DNR uses wolf tracks in the snow.

“This is a trace investigation, so on the one hand it is intensive – it takes a lot of time and requires a lot of effort – and on the other hand it is very extensive – there is a lot of searching with trucks, snowmobiles, snowshoes and even cross-country skis,” said Roell.

Wolves are currently on the national list of endangered species.

This means that states like Michigan are unable to keep their population numbers under control.

Furthermore, wolves may only be killed if they pose a direct and immediate threat to human life.

However, due to stable population numbers, the Michigan DNR has long advocated removing wolves from the endangered species list.

“It suggests we’re reaching that biological carrying capacity and we’re just seeing fluctuations around that. This population is very stable. It’s safe. We’ve maintained that number for the last 14 years,” Roell said.

The DNR is not sure if there are wolves in the Lower Peninsula.

According to the most recent Wisconsin wolf population survey conducted last year, there are about 1,000 wolves in the state.