Status of the Timber Wolf in Wisconsin
Performance Report 1 July 1999 - 30 June 2000

WI Endangered Resources Report #119

This report covers activities conducted from 1 July 1999 through 30 June 2000. The Wisconsin wolf population was at its reclassification goal of 80+ wolves for the last six years and was reclassified to threatened on 1 October 1999. A new wolf management plan for the State was passed by the Natural Resources Board on 27 October 1999.

Nineteen wolves from 16 different packs were live-captured and radio-collared in 1999. Forty-two radio-collared wolves were monitored during the study period. Winter territories of 17 adult wolves averaged 39 square miles. The minimum count for the wolf population in winter 1999-2000 was 248-259 wolves in 66 packs, including 239-249 wolves occurring outside Indian reservations. Territorial wolves occupied an area of 3600 square miles at a density of 1 wolf per 15 square miles. Seven radio collared wolves were found dead including 4 by intraspecific strife, 1 mange, 1 shooting, and 1 unknown. Wolf observations were reported from 30 Wisconsin counties. Wolf disease tests for 1998-1999 were 11 of 28 positive serum samples for parvovirus, 8 of 27 positive for infectious canine hepatitis, 6 of 28 positive for canine distemper virus, and 1 of 18 samples positive for heartworm. Five of twenty wolves captured in 1999 showed some evidence of sarcoptic mange, 2 of 16 wolves found dead had died from mange. Thirteen cases of wolf depredation occurred during the period and involved 10 calves (4 killed), 3 deer (deer farm), 6 dogs (4 killed), and 44 chickens. Other strategies to implement the new wolf plan were also conducted during the period.

- Text, Tables [PDF 58KB]

- Figures [PDF 937KB]