LANSING, MI (AP)-- State officials are planning to track the presence of gray wolves in Michigan's northern Lower Peninsula.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources says Monday that a survey is scheduled to begin February 16 on wolf numbers in the region.
The survey is expected to run through March 13. Wolf sightings or tracks believed to be from a wolf can be reported to the DNR online.
Wolves started returning to Michigan's Upper Peninsula through Canada and Wisconsin in the early 1990s. Wolf populations have been increasing since then. Their range continues to expand as well.
DNR wildlife biologist Jennifer Kleitch says "the probability of observing an actual wolf or its tracks in the Lower Peninsula is low" and "it's helpful to have as many eyes as possible looking."