GLC 2007 Annual Membership Meeting
Followed by a Talk by Greg Wright Wolf Ecology: Fact or Fiction
GLC held its Annual Members Meeting on July 24 at the Eagle Harbor Community Center. Board members were re-elected. Bonnie Hay presented a slide show and reported on GLC activities and Gina Nicholas also provided a brief update. Grants from UPPCO, Michigan Botanical Foundation, and the UP Sustainable Forestry Foundation to support lake vegetation mapping and the production of a booklet and CD on local aquatic plants and potential aquatic invasives were announced. Volunteers were recognized and Virginia Jamison and Rachel McPherson were winners in a special drawing from names of all who had volunteered.
Following the meeting, sixty GLC members and community residents enjoyed a presentation by Greg Wright titled Wolf Ecology: Fact & Fiction. Greg detailed research on Isle Royale and Yellowstone National Parks on wolf/prey relationships. He also discussed the value of wolves in the ecology of an area and issues that arise when humans live in close proximity with wolves.
A Few Wolf Facts
*
In 1973 when gray wolves were listed as an Endangered Species only 500 to 1000 wolves existed in the upper midwest with only 6 in the U.P. Under the protection of the ESA wolf populations has rebounded to an estimated 4000 wolves in the upper midwest, with about 530 in the U.P. (including Isle Royale.) With a sustainable population in the area, the wolf was delisted in March.
*
On Isle Royale, Moose is a primary wolf food, but in the UP, more than half of a wolf's diet is deer followed by beaver, snowshoe hare, grouse, and small mammals.
*
Studies show that wolves usually cull weak, sick, very young, and very old of their prey. The end result is a more resilient prey population.
*
According to various estimates the 500+ wolves in Michigan consume between 1% and 7% of the herd annually. That is a bit less than are killed by cars each year. Hunters kill about 8.5% of the herd and hunters target healthier deer rather than young, old, and sick deer.
*
There have been incidents of wolf threats to livestock, hunting dogs, and pets in Michigan.
*
There are few reports of wolves attacking humans in North America. One possible incident of a human fatality from a wolf attack in Canada has been reported.
*
Education about strategies to minimize likelihood of this type of wolf predation--such as using herding dogs, special fencing in agricultural areas, and avoiding bringing hunting dogs into known sites used by wolves - and a protocol to manage wolf numbers in areas where there are valid concerns, are part of the focus of the new MDNR Michigan Wolf Management Plan.
How can you tell the difference between a gray wolf, a coyote, and a large dog?
dog
coyote
wolf
*
shoulder height
16 - 20 inches
30 - 34 inches
*
weight
20 - 50 lbs.
58 - 112 lbs.
*
length (nose to tip of tail)
3.5 - 4.5 ft.
approx. 6 ft.
*
call
yipping
long low howl without yipping
*
tails
may be curled
never curled
never curled
*
tracks
some dog tracks can be wolf sized;
front and hind foot tracks usually don't overlap
approx. 2.5 inches long by 1.5 inches wide;
often front and hind foot tracks overlap
approx. 4.5 inches long
by 3.5 inches wide;
often front and hind foot tracks overlap
*
distinguishing characteristics
pointier nose and ears, only sometimes black tipped tail
more rounded ears, large blocky muzzle, black tipped tail
Please contact Bonnie Hay if you would like to make a gift of appreciated securities
or if you need information on how to make a memorial donation or gift in someone's honor.
