The number of gray wolves in the lower 48 states of the United States as of 2020 is estimated to be 7,500, thanks to the 1973 Endangered Species Act (ESA).
The population of wolves in the United States had been on the low and almost extinct in the mid-1900s.
Wolves are not easy to come by in Missouri, unlike foxes, raccoons, bats, armadillos, etc., which presents the mind-probing question: Are there wolves in Missouri wildlife?
Wolves are rare and considered extirpated from Missouri due to unfriendly human activities such as excessive wolf hunting, trapping, and wildlife encroachment.
However, individual wolves sometimes stray into Missouri from other states, notably Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Missouri is primarily dominated by black bears, elk, American bison, and some large cats.
The state is known to be abundant with caves and sinkholes due to the high limestone quantity.
Let’s find out more below.
Are there Wolves in Missouri Wildlife?
Wolves are rarely seen in Missouri due to human activities such as commercial wolf hunting, trapping, and wildlife encroachment, which has endangered the wolf species in Missouri as far back as the early 1900s.
Records have shown that some species of wolves wander into Missouri from neighboring states.
How Many Wolves Are In Missouri?
According to reports, there are currently about 50 wolves in Missouri and more than 200 wolves captured in the government breeding programs.
In the United States, North Carolina is the recovery area of the red wolf, making it the region habiting the red wolf.
Are There Gray Wolves In Missouri?
In the past, the Canis lupus species timber wolves, also called the gray wolves, inhabited northern Missouri but were extinct by the late 1800s.
In 2020, reports showed that the DNA of a female wolf from a wolf pack weighing 103 pounds that were killed came from up north and not Missouri.
According to the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), tissue samples from a male animal weighing 80 pounds that was mistaken as a coyote by a hunter and sent to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for genetic testing received DNA test results confirming that the animal was a gray wolf migrating from the Great Lakes states of Minnesota, Wisconsin or Michigan.
The gray wolf did not have physical signs, ear tags, tattoos, or other identification showing it was a captive animal.
Wolves occasionally stray into Missouri from northern states, and the MDC never had wolves stocked and has no plans to restore this now-extinct creature.
When Did Gray Wolves Disappear From Missouri?
According to reports, Missouri used to be home to the gray wolves in times past.
However, due to commercial hunting, wildlife encroachment, and other human activities, the gray wolves, which were inhabitants of northern Missouri, were extinct in the late 1800s.
The gray wolf disappeared from Missouri in the late 1800s.
What are the Extirpated Animal Species in Missouri?
Extirpated species are considered as the species that once lived in Missouri but are no longer found in the state due to harmful human activities such as excessive hunting, wildlife encroachment, and trapping.
However, even though these extirpated species may no longer be found in Missouri anymore, they can still be found in some parts of the United States or around the world.
Some of the extirpated animal species in Missouri include red wolf, American bison, gray wolf, nutria, Seminole bat, big free-tailed bat, Brazilian free-tailed bat, and white-tailed Jackrabbit.
Are Wolves Protected in Missouri?
Due to some harmful human activities, the Canis lupus (wolves) have been extirpated and are rarely seen except In cases of stray wolves from other parts of the country.
The Missouri state includes the areas covered by the 1973 Endangered Species Act (ESA), which helped in checkmating human activities leading to the extirpation of wolves.
In recent years, the U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife assessed the comeback of the gray wolves.
It affirmed its success, thereby delisting the canids from the ESA effective from the 4th of January, 2021.
Hunters of Missouri sometimes shoot wolves, mistaking them for other animals who have strayed from nearby states of Minnesota, Michigan, or Wisconsin.
What Species of Wolves Lived in Missouri?
The species of wolves that live in Missouri include the grey wolf and red wolf.
According to MDC, in 1950, a female red wolf was killed in Taney County and was the last known red wolf to have appeared in Missouri.
The red wolf species in 1980 was declared extinct worldwide but was introduced as a result of a government captive breeding program in Northeast Carolina.
Which Out-of-place Animals are in Missouri?
Besides wolves, some animals are barely seen wandering around Missouri, and the sight of these animals may be shocking.
Some of these animals were thought to be extinct or nonexistent in Missouri, and they include the following;
Gray Wolves
Gray wolves are rarely seen in Missouri. However, stray gray wolves from other states enter the state, and they are sometimes shot at and killed because they are mistaken for coyotes or other wild animals.
Gray wolves are protected in Missouri and other parts of the United States and are classified as federally endangered stock.
Bobcats
Bobcats have increased in numbers across different parts of Missouri in recent years.
In the past, bobcats used to be trapped for their furs, but the wearing of fur is now outdated. Hence, the increase in the number of bobcats seen around.
Bobcats often avoid people as they are known to be shy animals, and Missouri does not inhabit bobcat predators.
Mountain Lions
The number of Mountain lions seen in Missouri continues to rise in recent times, just like the bobcats.
The Mountain lions were affirmed as extinct in the early 20th century due to commercial hunting and trapping.
However, experts opined that mountain lions might become to be Herman in Missouri.
According to the MDC, 72 official sightings of Mountain lions have been verified to be true out of numerous cases of alleged sightings in recent years.
Mountain lions are nocturnal animals and are shy and confused, just like bobcats.
Black Bears
Statistics from the preliminary studies currently conducted by the MDC say the estimated number of American black bears in Missouri is 350.
Even though the sight of black bears in Missouri is not out of place but the numbers are on the rise.
Black bears are mostly attracted by animals like birds, cats, dogs, and other prey.
What is the Top Predator in Missouri?
The top predator found in Missouri is the coyote, after which the gray and red foxes rank next.
Wolves naturally should rank as the top predator in Missouri; however, due to their extirpation, the coyotes are up next.
Another top predator present in Missouri is the bobcat which is known to stray into Missouri from nearby states even though it’s considered extirpated.
The biggest mammalian predator in Missouri is the black bear, even though it is primarily herbivorous.
Where Do You Find Wild Animals in Missouri?
The top wild animals in Missouri are found in places like the Mark Twain National Forest, located in the southern part of the state.
Few forest areas in the park are Paddy Creek and Piney Creek, Devils Backbone, and Bell Mountain.
In these regions, visitors can fish, and capture peeks of foxes, white-tailed deer, coyotes, and skunks.
Other parks in Missouri include the Roaring River Park, Lake of the Ozarks Park, and Johnson’s Shut-Ins Park.
Final Thoughts
Wolves are rare and extirpated in Missouri, United States, due to human activities such as trapping, commercial hunting, and habitat destruction.
These human activities continue to increase the number of extirpated animal species, especially in Missouri wildlife.
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) can help prevent some of these animal species from going into extinction.
Are there wolves in:
You May Also Like:
- Types Of Wild Dogs (33 Wild Dog Species With Pictures)
- Are Wolves Friendly To Humans? Do Wolves Make Good Pets?
Featured Image Credit: Greenort / Getty Images
