Disperser or Breeder? Gray wolf trapped outside of Rochester released by DNR

A gray wolf weighing an estimated 80 pounds was caught by a coyote trapper outside of Rochester, Minn., last weekend. With the exception of a sore paw, it was released unharmed by state Department of Natural Resources conservation officers.

Gray wolf reports are increasingly common in southeastern Minnesota, which is outside their normal breeding range. But biologists don't believe the animals are breeding or establishing packs in the region.

"I think this (report) is unique," said Dan Stark, wolf expert for the DNR. "It's consistent with a disperser, like the others that have shown up before."

Conservation officers received a call from the trapper, and they found the wolf alive in the trap.

Stark said it was likely that gray wolves in southeastern Minnesota originate in Wisconsin, rather than northern Minnesota, because there are wolf packs established just 75 miles east of Rochester. Stark said gray wolves would be able to cross the Mississippi River during winter.

Stark said he has heard of wolves killed accidentally each of the past three winters in southeastern Minnesota. He said "there is the possibility" wolves could establish breeding populations in the southeast, but maintaining a population might be difficult, given the number of highways and potential conflicts with humans.

source

enlarged photo  "This gray wolf was caught by a coyote trapper just outside of Rochester, Minn., over the weekend."

I am not a fan of trapping but I am glad that the trapper called and in time to save this sweetheart.

OMG he is GORGEOUS!  Poor guy.  I hope he gets the heck out of dodge.  He looks pretty young.

        Wolf figurines, Wolf t shirt, Wolf pictures

Those traps should be outlawed.  I just blew up that picture to see what was on the side of his muzzle which I still don't know what it is but the cut on his paw was deep and BAD!  Very barbaric practice.

        Wolf figurines, Wolf t shirt, Wolf pictures