Isle Royale has new rules to keep campers’ food away from wolves

ISLE ROYALE, MI – After curious wolves followed their noses to find food in campsites and in garbage collection areas on Isle Royale last year, the National Park Service said it’s putting new food storage guidelines into place this year to reduce the chances of interactions between people and wolves, and other wildlife.

The island archipelago in northern Lake Superior opens to backcountry campers, day-hikers and other guests on Wednesday, April 16. Each year, the park is closed to visitors from November to mid-April.

A link on the park’s website goes to a site offering bear-proof cannisters, coolers and other containers designed to deter wildlife from accessing food. The park service says more information on Isle Royale’s new food, trash and scented-item storage regulations will be detailed soon.

“In response to wolves accessing human food and garbage in and around Rock Harbor and campgrounds located on the east end of the island, new food storage guidelines to ensure the safety of visitors and wildlife are in effect,” the National Park Service said.

“Animal-resistant containers are now required within Isle Royale National Park. Consult this list for guaranteed compliant storage solutions. Options outside of this list may exist, but their compliance is not guaranteed.”

Last summer, Isle Royale rangers began noting issues with some of the wolves and their attempts to access human food left in the campsite areas and garbage disposal areas in Rock Harbor. There was wolf activity near the trash and recycling area. One wolf even dragged away a camper’s pack that had been left unattended.

Isle Royale staff put deterrent measures in place last season, like hazing the wolves that got too close to the campgrounds and putting electric fencing around the garbage dumpster areas. Sturdier food-storage containers were also put into use in some areas.

It was a bit of an unprecedented issue for Isle Royale, which had seen an occasional wildlife-human interaction but not this kind of multi-wolf effort to seek out food at campsites.

Isle Royale is known for its remote beauty and its wildlife. The main island is home to moose, wolves, foxes, beaver and other animals. An NPS effort in recent years to bring back the declining wolf population – to allow the predators to deal with the island’s growing moose population – was deemed a success in terms of reviving wolf pack numbers.

The last publicly-released report showed there were about 30 wolves arranged into four territorial packs on the island, which sits about 60 miles north of the Upper Peninsula mainland. The largest wolf pack is on the east end of the island, where most of the campgrounds covered by last year’s food-storage regulations are situated.

As an island wilderness known for its rocky and wooded trails and stunning waterfront views, Isle Royale has always been a place that expects its backpackers and boaters to store their food away from wildlife. Even guests in the lodge and those using the cabins are expected to be mindful of where and how they store their food, and how they dispose of their garbage.

Food Storage Tips: Here are the tips the island has shared so far, reminding visitors that this is a work-in-progress:

• Keep a clean camp. Wildlife will steal unattended food, even if it’s left out for a short amount of time.
• Do not leave food unattended when visiting or camping in a frontcountry area, such as Rock Harbor or Windigo.
• Never feed wildlife.

Trash Tips

• All trash and leftover food (including peels, cores, and nutshells) must be properly stored and packed out.
• On island trash disposal can only be found in Rock Harbor and Windigo.
• Do not burn, bury, or place garbage in outhouses or pit toilets. Carry a ziplock bag for securing small pieces of trash.