UWEC CERCA 2026

The North American gray wolf (Canis lupus) is a native keystone predator that contributes to healthy ecosystems across Wisconsin. Despite its broad historical range, anthropogenic development caused friction between pack territories and local farming operations, ultimately leading to the species’ extirpation from the state in the late 1950s. Over the past 25 years, wolf packs have recolonized Wisconsin forests from source populations in Minnesota, and local populations have now reached saturation in the greater Eau Claire region. Our team partnered with the Timber Wolf Information Network (TWIN), an organization established in 1989 to promote wolf awareness and conservation, to support efforts aimed at reducing human-wolf conflict. We monitored wolf activity by identifying tracks in snow and mud. Observations of raised-leg urination at scent posts provided insights into pack boundaries, breeding pair presence, and estrous cycles. Camera traps were deployed within established pack territories to quantify wolf presence and behavior, allowing us to characterize pack dynamics more accurately. These in-depth behavioral surveys will inform responses to population control and maintain beneficial populations of wolves in Wisconsin. More broadly, our project is raising public awareness about the historical impacts of wolves and the ecosystem benefits of their restored presence in Wisconsin forests.