Isle Royale Wolf Transfer - Emergency Action

3/21/2019:  This GoFundMe has been closed...

THANK YOU for supporting these efforts so far in 2019.

Even with the transfer of 4 wolves --- there is ONE MORE project that kicked off this weekend. 
This is a whole new funding need. Instead of trying to use this GoFundMe ... we have established a separate so you aren't getting messages you don't want.

If you are interested, that amazing project is at:
https://www.gofundme.com/winwin-wolves 

THANK YOU!



Update, 3/4/2019:

Through dedicated work and sometimes sheer will and generous funding!, Isle Royale has several new wolves!

Thanks to the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry and US National Park Service whose amazing dedication and hard work made this happen!

Here is a glimpse of a large male being released on Isle Royale.

Thank you for your support now and in the future.

Update, 2/25/2019:
Third times a charm? After two attempts to transfer Canadian wolves to Isle Royale, time is getting short.

One more attempt is being planned. However, heavy snows are changing ice conditions which changes how and what aircraft can land safely.

One way this funding is being used, is to make it possible to adjust to different air craft as needed.

We’re all hoping a weather window opens up this week to ensure transfers can happen before the end of February.

This third attempt would NOT be possible without this funding. We still lack the overall needed funding, however. The National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation continues to pledge support.

Hopefully our next update will have a wolf being released from the transfer pen.  Look at the latest update photo to see a transfer pen/crate.



Update, 2/5/2019:

During the week of January 27 – Feb 2nd, three attempts were made to send helicopters to Michipicoten Island, Ontario to capture wolves to transfer to Isle Royale.   Due to snow and ice fog, only one attempt made it to Michipicoten, allowing a short window of opportunity to find and capture wolves.  However, the wolves were not able to be captured within that short window.

Crews were ready and staged on Isle Royale, ready to receive the wolves, if a capture and release event would have occurred.

All in all, it was an amazing effort and coordination by many people, but the ultimate outcome of 4-6 new wolves on Isle Royale was not realized.    This, of course, does not mean the cost was not realized!  

There is likely only one more window of opportunity to bring the Michipicoten wolves to Isle Royale.  The effort and funding all must be ready within the next couple of weeks.   If the transfer doesn’t happen by end of February, it is very likely the next window will not occur until the fall.

Good news on the 61 year research study!   The winter study personal were transported to Isle Royale on Feb 2nd.  The research program kicked off and will run through, minimum,  March 4th.  The Foundation has pledged to support and enable this winter study even if the US Government shuts down after February 15th.

Funding is more important than ever…The National Park of Lake Superior Foundation is still leading this effort to make the transfer possible.  Please spread the word about this need to ensure a 2nd wolf transfer attempt and the "shutdown proof" winter study.

January, 2019:

URGENT NEED:   Due to the US Government shutdown, the planned early January Isle Royale Wolf transfer project had to be cancelled.   There was significant coordination time, money and energy all lost.

It's imperative the wolves get moved within the next few weeks.  

Wolves are being moved from Michipicoten Island in Ontario, where there are low food sources, to Isle Royale, where they must adapt to their new location in time for early spring mating season.

The National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation(NPLSF) has worked hard to get approval to temporarily open Isle Royale and complete the wolf transfer.    This requires non-government funding.   NPLSF has guaranteed that funding.   ** Even with the US Government opening for 3 weeks, this project is needed to make this transfer "shutdown proof", and have all green lights! **

However, we need your help to cover that cost.  The whole project costs total is $50,000.    Some of the amazing logistics include two separate helicopter teams, capturing wolves, transporting, releasing, monitoring - all in a winter wilderness environment.

Can you help save the Michipicoten wolves and help them find love on Isle Royale?


Your donation is tax-deductible.  Any donations more that our goal will go towards additional wolf expenses including research.

The National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation  (NPLSF) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to preservation of the natural resources and unique cultural heritage of Lake Superior’s five U.S. National Parks.  NPLSF funds research, restoration, education, and resource protection projects for Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Grand Portage National Monument, Isle Royale National Park, Keweenaw National Historic Park, and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.  The National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation has a proven record of funding projects both large and small providing more that $1.5 million in funding across all five parks.