Status of the Timber Wolf in Wisconsin
Performance Report 1 July 2000 - 30 June 2001

WI Endangered Resources Report #120

This report covers activities conducted from 1 July 2000 through 30 June 2001. The Wisconsin DNR reclassified the wolf from state endangered to threatened in 1999, and on 27 October 1999 the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board passed a wolf management plan for the state. In July 2000, the USFWS began the process to federally reclassify wolves from endangered to threatened.

Thirteen wolves from 10 different packs were live-captured and radio collared in 2000. Fifty-one radio collared wolves were monitored during the study period. Mean territory size of 22 adult wolves with VHF radio collars was 34 square miles. The minimum count for the wolf population in winter 2000-2001 was 251-253 wolves in 66 packs, including 243-246 wolves occurring outside Indian reservations. Fourteen radio collared wolves died in the state during the study period from the following: 5 sarcoptic mange, 1 sarcoptic mange and inner ear infection, 1 other wolves, 2 shootings, 2 vehicle collisions, 1 capture related and 2 unknown. Ten non-collared wolves found dead in the state were all due to vehicle collisions. Disease testing has not been completed on wolves captured in 2000. Mange apparently was prevalent in some wolves during winter, and may have reduced the growth of the population. Wolves were reported from 40 Wisconsin counties during the study period. Eight cases of wolf depredation occurred during the period and involved death of 2 calves (30 missing), 3 dogs and 64 poultry. Other strategies to implement the new wolf program were also conducted during the period.

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