Four Isle Royale Campgrounds Shut Down Over Wolf Activity

The wolves of Isle Royale have figured out that campsites mean one thing: a free buffet. Due to increased wolf activity, four campgrounds are closed for the rest of the season.

Wolves of Isle Royale

Photo by Hans on Unsplash

Wolves were reintroduced to Isle Royale National Park in 2018–2019, when 19 wolves were transported from the mainland. Since then, the population has grown to an estimated 37 wolves roaming the nearly 50-mile-long, 9-mile-wide island.

Photo by lilartsy on Unsplash

As the wolf population has grown, so has its impact on the island’s moose. Over the past seven years, the moose population has declined, prompting the wolves to expand their search for food. Now, their search for food has extended into the campsites, where they’ve discovered an unexpected and tempting source of food.

Read More: Bold Isle Royale Wolves Force Campground Closures

Wolf Activity Shuts Down Four Isle Royale Campgrounds

Photo by Steven Cordes on Unsplash

The wolves of Isle Royale National Park have added a surprising new stop to their daily search for food: the campgrounds. Earlier this summer, wolves began visiting campsites, getting into campers’ food and even dragging away backpacks after catching the scent of food inside. Their repeated visits became such a concern that two campsites were temporarily closed.

Photo by Omar Ramadan on Unsplash

WXYZ-TV 7 reported that tent and group campsites at four campgrounds on Isle Royale have been closed for the remainder of the season after wolves began approaching tents in search of their next meal.

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Camping is still available on the island, but much of it is in designated shelters. Since wildlife can return to a reliable food source will often return to it, it will be interesting to see how the park handles tent camping in the future as wolf activity continues.

👇BELOW: Vintage Isle Royale👇