Status of the Timber Wolf in Wisconsin
Performance Report 1 July 2001 - 30 June 2002

WI Endangered Resources Report #121

This report covers activities conducted from 1 July 2001 through 30 June 2002. The Wisconsin DNR reclassified wolves to threatened in 1999, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service started the process to reclassify in 2000, and should complete the process in 2002. In October 1999, the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board passed a wolf management plan which provides the outline for the current report.

Twenty four wolves from 17 different packs were live captured and radio collared in 2001. Sixty radio collared wolves were monitored during the study period. Mean territory size during winter for 24 adult wolves with VHF radio collars was 45 square miles. The minimum count for the wolf population in winter 2001-2002 was 323-339 wolves in 81 packs, including 309 to 325 wolves outside Indian reservations. Thirteen wolves being actively monitored by radio telemetry died during the period included 5 shootings, 4 intraspecific strife, 2 sarcoptic mange and 2 pneumonia. A total of 44 dead wolves were found in Wisconsin and deaths included 14 shootings, 14 vehicle collisions, 7 intraspecific strife, 6 mange, 2 pneumonia and 1 unknown. Disease testing indicated that most wolves were positive(antibody response) for canine parvovirus and canine distemper. Mange did not appear to affect the overall population, but may have caused high losses in central Wisconsin. Wolf reports by the general public and agency personnel were received from 35 counties, and was the highest level ever reported. Twenty-four cases of wolf depredation occurred during the period and involved the death of 24 cattle (23 calves), 17 dogs, 5 deer (deer farm), 18 poultry, and injury of 4 dogs. Other strategies to implement the 1999 wolf plan were also conducted during the period.

- Text, Tables [PDF 98KB]

- Figures [PDF 344KB]