Distribution and Abundance of Wolves

At the time wolves were federally protected in the mid-1970’s, Minnesota contained the only known reproducing wolf population in the lower 48 states, except for that on Isle Royale. Over the years, much attention has been focused on studying and monitoring Minnesota’s wolves. Research efforts began in the mid-1930’s (Olson 1938) and with few lapses continue to this day. Efforts to delineate wolf distribution and enumerate populations have also been made at various times over the last 50 years (Erb and DonCarlos 2009).