LEARN

Wolves of the World

Return to: World Map | United States Map

Minnesota at a glance

Gray wolves once existed throughout Minnesota; however, removal began shortly after European settlement. Wolves were removed from Minnesota mostly by poisoning. A state-directed wolf control program persisted until gray wolves were added to the endangered species list in 1974. At that time, the wolf population numbered approximately 750 animals. Minnesota is the only state in the contiguous United States that has always held a viable gray wolf population. Main prey for wolves there are deer, moose and beaver. Wolves occupy approximately 40 percent of the map shown, with most wolves occupying the northeastern portion of the state. Range lines are not depicted.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is proposing changes to the state's wolf management plan which includes a wolf harvest season. Additional information

Species Information

Species 1
Common Name: gray wolf
Latin Name: Canis lupus

Potential species designation under debate by the scientific community:
Common Name: eastern wolf, timber wolf
Latin Name: Canis lycaon

Location: C. lupus and the potential C. lycaon are indistinguishable from each other physically, behaviorally and ecologically. The only way to tell the difference between them is a genetic test and comparison. Both inhabit the northern third of Minnesota.

Current Wolf Population, Trend, Status
Number of wolves: 2,922 (2008)
Population trend: Increasing/Stable
Legal status: State managed as a protected species (as of January 27, 2012)

Human Relationships

Attitudes & Issues
Current information on public attitudes and controversial issues in Minnesota.

History
Information related to the history of wolves in Minnesota.

Recovery & Management
Information related to legal status, regulations and management plans and practices in Minnesota.

Depredation
Information related to depredation issues, compensation and prevention in Minnesota.

Wolf-Human Interactions
Information related to human coexistence, hunting competition with humans, ecotourism and tips for living with wolves in Minnesota.

Ecology

Biology
Descriptions of species present: physiology and unique characteristics as well as information related to distribution of wolves in Minnesota.

Habitat
Descriptions of ecosystems where wolves live, wildland topics and human land use related to Minnesota.

Prey & Predation
Descriptions of prey animals and information on their relationship to wolves in Minnesota.