ISLE ROYALE NATIONAL PARK – A wolf has been killed in Isle Royale National Park for displaying “escalating boldness around visitors, campsites, and staff housing areas,” said the National Park Service.
The wolf had become habituated to people and was showing signs of becoming reliant on human food sources, according to the NPS. Food storage bags and backpacks were dragged away at numerous campsites.
In fact, there are at least two wolves that park officials are concerned about currently. But only one has been removed from the population thus far.
Park rangers have tried to deter the problem wolves through extensive attempts at deterrence, changing waste management practices, and implementing food storage regulations at the park for campers. But the efforts were to no avail and the wolf continued to stray into campsites, so the “difficult decision” was made to lethally remove the wolf. The park has not ruled out taking additional action, but only if necessary.
“Our priority remains the safety of park visitors and staff, and the protection of wildlife in their natural state, including our objective to maintain a wild wolf population,” said Isle Royale Superintendent, Denice Swanke. “While lethal removal is deeply unfortunate, it became necessary due to a growing public safety risk. All who appreciate and enjoy Isle Royale National Park need to understand the importance of adherence and vigilance to food storage regulations and our collective role in minimizing negative human-wildlife interactions.”
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