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Wisconsin DNR says wolf population up 13%, changes population monitoring method
Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources says there are likely more wolves in the state than previously estimated thanks to a change in how wolves are counted.
DNR officials were using territory mapping to produce a minimum wolf count, but they’ve moved to an occupancy model, which they say produces highly reliable estimates, provides a more realistic total population size and efficiently makes use of state resources.
The old territory mapping method showed a likely 13% increase in the number of wolves, putting the minimum overwinter count at more than 1,034 wolves with as many as 1,057. Using the new occupancy method, DNR large carnivore specialists say there are an estimated 1,047 wolves, but there might be as many as 1,573.
Wolves have been responsible for livestock and pet losses, but farmers and landowners are unable to defend their animals because the wolf is on the federal Endangered Species List.
Department officials say territory mapping was feasible and warranted when the population was small and scattered during the early years of wolf recovery. Now, DNR says the need for a new monitoring method has become more pressing with a population exceeding 1,000 wolves.
