Wolf reports (Canis Lupus) on Nelson Island

Observation: On our way back from Cakcaq, after jigging, we saw wolf tracks at a place called Ingriim Nugani (Point of the mountain). It's not far from Nightmute. For the past few days, we've been hearing that wolves are roaming the island. There's been a few people that have seen wolf tracks. Some community members are saying they are possibly preying on the muskox (Ovibos moschatus). We never used to hear wolves roaming in this part of Alaska, only in the interior of Alaska.

LEO Comment: Gray Wolf (Canis lupus) also known as timber wolf, are described as having the greatest natural range of any terrestrial mammal Togiak National Wildlife Refuge. In Alaska they exist in a wide variety of habitats extending from the rain forests of the Southeast Panhandle to the arctic tundra along the Beaufort Sea. An estimated 7,000 to 11,000 wolves occur throughout mainland Alaska, on Unimak Island in the Aleutians, and on all of the major islands in Southeast except Admiralty, Baranof, and Chichagof ADF&G. According to the USFWS, gray wolves are common throughout the northern to central parts of the Togiak Refuge. LEO Network relies upon knowledge keepers like Anna John, to identify where and when wolves and other wildlife appear in unusual areas. They may be just unusual visitors, or perhaps extending their range into new areas. LEO Network seeks input from other members about unusual wolf sighings. This is the third LEO Network post about unusual wolf behavior, all from Southwest Alaska. See related posts. This post will be forwarded onto wildlife officials for their consideration and comment. M. Tcheripanoff

Resource: 'Staying safe in wolf country' brochure from the Division of Wildlife Conservation of the Alaska Department of Fish & Game