For the first time since 2019, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is conducting a wolf survey across the northern Lower Peninsula.
The survey serves to try and get an estimate for wolves currently living below the Mackinac Bridge. But they need your help.
Residents can send photos of potential wolf scat or tracks to the DNR Field App or directly to the department itself. Photos with measurements are highly requested. "Trail camera pictures are obviously, absolutely the best," said Tim Riley with the DNR.
Riley told WCMU they don't expect a large number of confirmed sightings, if any. But with help from others, the department can learn more about the potential wolf population.
"We appreciate folks being willing to submit their observation reports to a citizen science program," Riley said. "We can't be everywhere across the whole northern lower, so it's nice to have so many eyes and ears in the field giving us a hand with it."
In 2024 the Michigan DNR reported over 700 wolves living in the Upper Peninsula, over 100 more than the year before.
The survey kicks off on Feb. 17 and concludes on March 10.
Editor's note: We note the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is a sponsor of WCMU. We report on them as we do with any other organization.
