Copyright Seney Natural History Association
Although historic records are scarce, Indiana was once home to both gray (Canis lupus) and red wolf (Canis rufus) populations. Early European settlers eliminated wolves from the state by 1908. In recent history, only a single gray wolf has been confirmed. The yearling male was found dead in east-central Indiana in 2003; it was later determined to have originated from a Wisconsin pack. Wolves can travel long distances in search of new territories, and it is possible for them to venture to Indiana. These animals are often young males that pass through quickly because they are unable to find a mate.
Both gray and red wolves were designated as federally endangered in 1967 and were listed under the Endangered Species Act in 1973. Today, red wolves exist only in captivity and a small, isolated population in coastal North Carolina. At the time of federal listing, Minnesota was the only U.S. state outside Alaska that held a population of gray wolves.
Since listing, gray wolves have expanded from Minnesota into Wisconsin and Michigan. Additionally, gray wolves were reintroduced into Yellowstone National Park in the mid-1990s. Breeding populations are now found in California, Idaho, Minnesota, Michigan, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Gray wolves are also rare visitors to Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
Midwestern gray wolves are smaller than western and Alaska gray wolves but are still more than twice the weight of an average coyote.
Wolf:
Coyote:
Wolves have blocky snouts and round ears that are small in proportion to their body, whereas coyotes have large, pointed ears. Coloration is a mix of grizzled gray, tan, brown and black, with a cinnamon color on the back of the ears, which can be very similar to a coyote.
Wolf tracks are larger than coyote tracks, usually being 3.5 inches long, excluding the claw marks. For more information of comparing wolves and coyotes, the Wisconsin DNR provides a detailed page on canid identification.
Courtesy: Wisconsin DNR
Wolves in Indiana are protected under federal law. State law allows a resident landowner or tenant to kill a wolf if it poses a threat to people or while it is causing damage to property owned or leased by the landowner or tenant. Any wolf killed must be immediately reported to federal and state wildlife officials.
Seeing a wolf in Indiana is extremely unlikely; domestic dogs or coyotes are often mistaken for wolves. Coyotes from a distance can look much larger than they are, which can lead to mistaken identity. There is currently no breeding population of wolves in Indiana, however, people may own domestic dog/wolf hybrids which can escape or run loose and easily be confused with a wild wolf.
The Indiana Division of Fish & Wildlife occasionally receives reports of large carnivores such as mountain lions, gray wolves and black bears.
There are currently NO breeding populations of these species in Indiana. But one of these animals may pass through Indiana from established populations in other states.
You can report a sighting of these animals online.
Though not a large mammal, bobcats may also be reported online.
