Isle Royale National Park bans tent camping at campground after wolf becomes increasingly bold around visitors
Isle Royale National Park has temporarily banned tent camping at one of its campgrounds after a wolf displayed increasingly aggressive and unusual behavior around visitors and their belongings.
Beginning Thursday, tent camping and group camping at Three Mile Campground will be prohibited through July 31. The closure also includes hammock use and nearby off-trail campsites.
Park officials said the decision came after repeated encounters with a wolf that had been approaching campers over the past week. The animal was seen sniffing and pawing at tents, pulling backpacks away and even entering a tent.
Officials said the wolf has become increasingly comfortable around people and appears to be relying on human food sources. The park has attempted to correct the behavior through hazing efforts, improved trash management and stricter food storage requirements, but the wolf has continued to seek out food and garbage near campsites.
During the temporary closure, park staff will increase efforts to discourage the wolf from returning to developed areas. Hazing techniques will include yelling, stomping, clapping, using airhorns, and firing paintball rounds to create a negative association with approaching people.
The park will also install noise-making alert devices near Three Mile Campground, Rock Harbor and Daisy Farm Campground to notify staff and visitors when a wolf is nearby.
“Visitor safety and the protection of wildlife are our highest priorities,” Park Superintendent Denice Swanke said, urging visitors to properly secure food, trash and scented items while following the park’s food storage rules.
Officials said the campground will continue to be monitored and evaluated during the closure. The goal is to reopen the site on Aug. 1, though the closure could be extended if the wolf’s behavior does not improve.
Isle Royale National Park is located on an island in Lake Superior and includes 36 campgrounds. Visitors are required to store food in designated lockers or approved animal-resistant hard-sided containers when lockers are unavailable.
The park also reminded visitors that feeding, touching, harassing, or intentionally disturbing wildlife is prohibited.
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