A recent coyote hunt in Calhoun County, Michigan, took an unexpected turn when a hunter inadvertently shot what turned out to be the first gray wolf spotted in the lower peninsula of the state in a century. The unfortunate incident occurred when the hunter and their guide encountered what they initially believed to be a rather large coyote during a legal hunt in January. Little did they know, this was no ordinary coyote. With a weight of 84 pounds, it was nearly double the size of the average Eastern coyote, which typically weighs under 40 pounds.
Upon closer inspection, it became apparent that this canine was indeed not a coyote but an endangered gray wolf. The revelation was confirmed through a series of genetic tests conducted by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Once widespread across Michigan, wolves faced a grim fate in the 19th century due to extensive culling and the effects of intensive logging. While small populations managed to survive in the Upper Peninsula, sightings in the Lower Peninsula became nonexistent by the turn of the 20th century. The Straits of Mackinac, which connect Lake Michigan and Lake Huron, serve as a natural boundary separating the two regions.
Image credit: Piotr Krzeslak/Shutterstock.com
The appearance of a lone wolf in the Lower Peninsula has left experts puzzled. While there have been sporadic signs suggesting a potential incursion of wolves into the northern part of the Lower Peninsula between 2004 and 2015, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources remains skeptical about the establishment of a new wolf population in the area.
Wolves are known for their extensive roaming capabilities, sometimes covering thousands of kilometers in search of mates or food. It’s plausible that this particular individual had wandered far from its usual habitat.
Brian Roell, a large carnivore specialist for the Michigan DNR, emphasized the rarity of the situation, stating, “This is an unusual case, and the [Department of Natural Resources] is actively delving into the matter to learn more about this particular animal’s origin.” He also noted documented instances of wolves traversing vast distances, including sightings in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula in recent decades.
Coyotes and wolves, despite their differences, share a close biological relationship. Most Eastern coyotes are the result of hybridization with wolves and domestic dogs, and gray wolf populations across North America exhibit varying degrees of interbreeding with coyotes.
While there are visible distinctions between the two species, such as muzzle shape and ear size, they can be challenging to differentiate from a distance. The incident serves as a reminder of the complexities of wildlife identification, even for seasoned hunters.
As efforts continue to understand the circumstances surrounding this extraordinary encounter, it highlights the ongoing need for conservation and management strategies to safeguard the delicate balance of ecosystems and protect endangered species like the gray wolf.
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