Genetic testing confirms gray wolf near Ueling

Photo courtesy MacNeil Lyons, National Park Service

Young wolves are leaving the nest with some heading for Nebraska.

In January, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission was contacted after coyote hunters shot a female gray wolf outside of Ueling.

Genetic testing recently confirmed that the canine was a gray wolf originating from the Western Great Lakes population.

Gray wolves were once federally listed as endangered, today there are four healthy population of wolves, leading to the delisting of the species in 2021.

Western Great Lakes, Northern Rocky Mountains, Southwest Recovery Area and Alaska all have current populations. Nationally there are about 14,000-16000 wolves in the U.S.

The species was once found in most of the U.S. with the southeastern states being an exception.

Though there are not any current breeding populations or resident wolves in Nebraska, individual wolves have passed through the state. 

Since the 2000s there have been three confirmed sightings of the species in Nebraska. In 2002 one was spotted near Spaulding. In 2020 a second wolf was found outside of Bassett.

“Wolves can disperse great distances from their nearest populations in the northern Rocky Mountains or Upper Great Lakes,” Sam Wilson, Game and Parks Furbearer and Carnivore program manager told Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. “While we don’t have any evidence of resident wolves or reproduction in Nebraska, we can expect young wolves in search of new territory to cover long distances and make it to Nebraska from time to time.”

Gray wolves can be identified by their large size weighing 80-100 pounds and large tail which is over 18 inches long. They have rounded ears and a broad snout, traits not shared with their coyote relatives. 

Their tracks often resembled those of large dog species. Measuring about 5 inches long and 4 inches wide. 

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission asks that if a wolf is shot or found dead it be reported to them so they can collect a genetic sample of the animal. The sample can help to locate where the wolf originated from.

 “Although no Gray Wolves are found in Nebraska, the state was part of the species historic range.” According to Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, “additionally, the habitat in Nebraska could support wolves.”