Red Lake receives grant to continue wolf research in Northern Minnesota.
The Red Lake Department of Natural Resources is preparing to begin a second major wolf research project in northern Minnesota. The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently announced recipients of 2011 Tribal Wildlife Grant Program funds, and Red Lake was awarded $200,000 to continue intensive wolf monitoring and research efforts. These dollars will be matched with an additional $50,000 from the Red Lake Band and the U. S. Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Red Lake was also awarded funds in 2008 for wolf research. Previous research was designed to develop reliable estimates of wolf numbers and distribution, and ultimately resulted in the development and adoption of Red Lake’s gray wolf management plan in September, 2010. Red Lake is poised to assume management authority over wolves inhabiting their lands once they are removed from the Federal Endangered Species List. Red Lake’s land holdings include over 830,000 acres in 8 Minnesota counties.
Red Lake’s current project will build on earlier findings, identifying factors affecting wolf movements, habitat use, and survival. Project activities will include attaching Satellite radio transmitters to 10 wolves, allowing researchers to intensively monitor individuals and packs. Evaluation of telemetry data will help managers understand wolf movement patterns, pack dynamics, and mortality events. Surveys, ground reconnaissance and remote camera work will also continue, contributing to Red Lake’s growing wolf data base. Project activities will likely begin in early fall.
For additional information, please contact Red Lake’s Department of Natural Resources:
Jay T. Huseby, Ph.D.
Wildlife Director
Red Lake DNR
Box 279
Red Lake, MN 56671
jhuseby@paulbunyan.net
(218)-679-3959