Trail closed after lone wolf begins following snowmobilers in Voyageurs National Park

Published 9:14 am Wednesday, March 4, 2015

INTERNATIONAL FALLS — Several miles of trail have been closed and rerouted at Voyageurs National Park due to a lone wolf that has been following snowmobilers.

Superintendent Mike Ward said the wolf has trailed or run alongside snowmobilers in three separate incidents over a 10-day period in the park’s Ash River area. He said the wolf appears to be without a pack.

Park officials are trying to track the wolf and learn more about its behavior. Several segments of snowmobile trails have been closed where the wolf was spotted, about halfway between International Falls and Crane Lake.

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Although the wolf hasn’t attacked anyone, park officials and wolf experts said its behavior is strange because wolves usually stay away from humans.

Ward said park officials are taking precautions to protect visitors and the wolf.