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Greater Voyageurs Ecosystem Wolf Pack and Population Size Report

Posted on November 30, 2022

During 2021-2022, we estimated the area of 9 wolf pack home ranges/territories and estimated the size of 14 wolf packs based on an average of 7.3 independent observations of each pack at the estimated size (i.e., the number of wolves we determined were in a given pack.)

Prior to 2019, the estimated size of many packs were based on 1 or 2 independent observations per pack. The lack of repeated observations likely introduced error because 1 or 2 observations might not be representative of actual pack size (Barber-Meyer 2022). Beginning in 2019, we deployed a large remote camera array across the study area to increase the number of independent observations of each pack. This approach has been highly effective and we have averaged 7.4, 9.8, and 7.3 independent observations of each pack at the estimated size in 2019-2020, 2020-2021, and 2021-2022, respectively. For comparison, the average annual number of independent observations per pack at their estimated size during 2012-2018 was 2.5 with a maximum of 3.7 observations per pack in 2013.

DOWNLOAD THE PDF TO READ THE FULL REPORT

Document: VWP-2022-Population-Report.pdf

Author(s): Thomas Gable, Austin Homkes, Joseph Bump

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Wolfwatcher

18 hours ago

Germany's wild wolf population has grown, with 209 confirmed packstinyurl.com/3d2c2dvsThe number of wild wolf packs confirmed in Germany has risen to 209, according to new figures from the country's Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) published on Tuesday.In total, 1,601 individual wolves were detected across Germany during the monitoring year, which lasted from May 1, 2023 to April 30, 2024.In the previous monitoring period from 2022 to 2023, the nationwide number of wolf packs was 184.The report said the bodies of 193 wolves were found dead during the monitoring period, and most of them - 150 - were killed in traffic accidents.Thirteen wolves were intentionally killed illegally during the period.The BfN also said that five wolves "were removed as part of management measures," but did not provide further details about the removals. ... See MoreSee Less

Germany's wild wolf population has grown, with 209 confirmed packs

tinyurl.com

The number of wild wolf packs confirmed in Germany has risen to 209, according to new figures from the country's Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) published on Tuesday. In total, 1,601 individual wol...

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Wolfwatcher

2 days ago

On Wolves and Deertinyurl.com/38pm7awcFirst to clarify, a wolf pack uses my property on a regular basis. I have been driven out of the woods by mosquitoes, black flies and ticks but never a wolf.I have heard wolves howl and bark. I have seen them, found their territorial markings and they have bedded down in my field. I do not carry a gun when walking my trails. I am only armed with knowledge. I am also a dog owner. I don’t turn her loose on a busy highway and I don’t let her chase wildlife.There is an inherent risk to hunting with dogs. Nearly all the dogs killed by wolves were in pursuit of game, mostly bear, released into known wolf pack territories. Even though DNR makes “caution areas” widely known, hunters continue to release dogs into those areas.The relationship between the wolf and deer is complex and the deer population is not primarily driven by the wolf population or wolf predation.Winter weather, habitat and overall fitness play a role in deer being successful in avoiding the wolf or the wolf will be successful in capturing its prey. An open field clear of snow will give the advantage to the deer who can outrun the wolf; whereas deer can get bogged down in deep snows giving the advantage to the wolf that, with its large, “snowshoe” paws, can walk on top.The publication (Factors Limiting Deer Abundance in the UP) explained that nearly 70% of wolf predations of adult does occurred in late winter and spring when body condition of deer was poorest. Nearly half of the adult does killed by wolves in the high snowfall zone were in such poor condition that they would have likely died even if not preyed upon. The report further states, “Predation from wolves is simply one portion of what impacts our deer herd in the Upper Peninsula, they are not solely responsible for the variation.”The relationship between wolves and deer are intricately linked each having a strong influence on the other’s survival. But, along with adequate prey, wolves also need human tolerance to thrive.photo: John E. Marriott Wildlife and Nature Photography ... See MoreSee Less

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Greater Voyageurs Ecosystem Wolf Pack and Population Size Report

Document: VWP-2022-Population-Report.pdf

READ MORE: https://www.voyageurswolfproject.org/project-reports

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