An epic experiment on Lake Superior’s islands, starring wolves, moose and caribou

From the Star Tribune in Minnesota:

Over the course of a few months this winter, the wolf population on Isle Royale National Park ballooned from 2 to 15 in an extraordinary project to artificially shift the balance of a wilderness.

Captured on the mainland and a neighboring island in Lake Superior, the wolves were anesthetized, vaccinated, collared with GPS devices, and transported across the icy waters by boat and helicopter to their new home. In all, it took the combined effort of a university; a cadre of scientists; state, federal, Canadian and tribal governments; and a couple of nonprofit organizations to accomplish the feat between ferocious winter storms.

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Wolves are Back in the Netherlands After Over a Century

From Care2.com:

The Netherlands has a resident wolf population after 140 years without wolves making their home in the Dutch country, but not everyone is happy.

Ecologists report that two female wolves have settled in the Hoge Veluwe nature reserve, with a male also roaming in that same region. Experts from groups such as FreeNature and Wolven in Nederland, as well as scientists from Wageningen University, have been tracking paw prints and scat (wolf droppings) since wolves were first sighted back in the Netherlands in 2015. At the time of their sightings, it seemed likely the wolves were passing over the border from Germany and would return there in short order.

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Scientists conduct study on habitat of Indian grey wolf

From the Millennium Post in India:

Kolkata: A team of scientists from Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have categorically demonstrated the importance and maintenance of probable suitable areas for Indian grey wolf (Canis lupus pallipes) along with its landscape connectivity between Chotta Nagpur Plateau and Lower Gangetic Planes. The study titled “Identifying suitable habitat and corridor for Indian Grey Wolf in Chotta Nagpur Plateau and Lower Gangetic Planes” that has recently been published in the reputed journal PlosOne assumes significance as wolves are suffering from loss of habitat and loss of connectivity in the landscape.

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Gray wolves in Central Oregon? Maybe someday soon, experts say

From The Bulletin in Central Oregon:

After years during which Oregon’s recovering gray wolf population remained concentrated in the far northeast corner of the state, two new groups of wolves have migrated to the Cascade Mountains since the start of 2018.

With an increase in breeding packs nearby, experts are looking for swaths of habitat that may soon host wolves. And Central Oregon’s forests are on the list.

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Making peace in the Golan Heights—between humans and wolves

From NationalGeographic.com:

THE GOLAN HEIGHTS remains one of the world’s most notorious disputed territories. Largely occupied by Israel, its eastern reaches are controlled by Syria and Syrian rebels—and it’s been fought over for at least the last 70-some years.

The landscape is notable for its militarily advantageous high grounds, supplies of oil and freshwater, and extraordinary natural habitat. There, mixed with surprising wildlife like jackals and gazelle on the verge of extinction, 25,000 cattle roam the grassy bluffs of Golan’s volcanic plateau. The herds are kept by Jewish and Druze farmers ranging from Mount Hermon south to the Sea of Galilee’s receding arms.

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Ethiopia: The Last Wolves

From Earth Touch News.com:

A thick layer of frost blankets the landscape, creating a gauzy haze over the tans and pale greens of the Ethiopian Highlands. Amidst the frozen stillness, a rust-colored lump dusted in rime stirs. A black nose appears from beneath a thick tail, and two ears twitch atop an elegantly long head. At last, the wolf rises, arches its back in a long stretch, and shakes. Nearby, several other pack members rise as well, touching noses in greeting. Pups, just weeks old, emerge from a shallow den and begin playing, scrambling over rocks, tugging at each other’s tails. As the sky brightens, the adults trot off to patrol the edge of the group’s territory and begin the day’s hunt.

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Necropsies detail deaths of 2 wolves in Isle Royale relocation effort

From MLive.com:

ISLE ROYALE, MI – Necropsy results have been released for two wolves that died after being part of the early phase of the National Park Service’s efforts to bring new wolves onto Michigan’s Isle Royale.

The medical findings for one wolf’s death were fairly clear-cut, while scientists working on the project believe they know what killed the other wolf, according to information released by the NPS recently.

 

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Translocated wolves faring well on Isle Royale, according to GPS data

Earlier this afternoon, we received an update from Isle Royale National Park on how the wolves recently moved there are doing. 
Here’s what we know:
• The seven wolves moved to Isle Royale on the weekend of March 23 are all moving around and apparently doing well – each is showing large movements around the island.

This photo was taken by Ashley McLaren of the OMNRF

• A female wolf that was moved to the island last fall appears to be traveling with 007, the first Michipicoten male that was moved in February.
• The breeding male from Michipicoten (009), moved March 1, is spending the bulk of his time on the west end of the island. Prior to the March 23 translocation, he was primarily on the east end of the island.
• The black wolf known as 016, moved from the Canadian mainland on March 23, has circumnavigated the island in his first week there.

We will continue to share these updates with you when possible. 

 

Wolf Center to award Summit Brewery owner ‘Leader of the Pack’ award at Roseville gala

From the St. Paul Pioneer Press in Minnesota:

Mark Stutrud, owner of Summit Brewing Co. in St. Paul, will be honored April 11 with a “Leader of the Pack” award by the International Wolf Center.

The award is given to those with a pioneering spirit leading the pack in the Twin Cities. He was nominated by a member of the committee planning the “Howl at the Moon Gala” at Midland Hills Country Club in St. Paul, a fundraising event where Stutrud will receive the award.

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Wolf pack living west of Cascade Mountains for first time in decades

From the Seattle Times:

Western Washington has its first wolf pack in decades, an indication that wolf recovery is on track and a sign that the canines are expanding their range in a healthier ecosystem, wildlife officials say.

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