In Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, gray wolves have not been spotted for almost a century. However, during a legal hunt, a hunter mistakenly shot a gray wolf, believing it to be a coyote. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources confirmed the creature’s identity but remains puzzled about how it ended up there.
Gray wolves once roamed throughout Michigan but faced population decline due to culls and logging. While small packs still exist in the Upper Peninsula, sightings in the Lower Peninsula have been rare since the early 1900s. The DNR does not believe this wolf indicates a local resurgence, speculating that it may have strayed in search of food or a mate.
Protected under the Endangered Species Act, gray wolves can only be killed if they pose a direct threat to human life. The hunter and guide involved faced no charges as their actions were based on a mistaken belief that they were targeting a coyote.
Wolves and coyotes share similar features, but wolves are larger with wider builds. The recently killed wolf weighed 84 pounds, significantly heavier than a typical coyote. While coyotes are more adaptable to human presence, wolves tend to avoid populated areas.
Armed with senses and skills honed for hunting, wolves play a vital role in their ecosystem, predating on medium to large mammals. Despite their endangered status, their numbers are slowly recovering, benefiting various species and habitats.
