Michigan
Rare gray wolf killed during hunt in Michigan, officials launch investigation
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has launched an investigation after a hunter recently reported his harvest, which he believed to be a coyote — but after further genetic testing, the kill proved to be something far rarer.
The DNR announced in a press release that the animal killed in Calhoun County, Michigan’s southern Lower Peninsula, was actually a gray wolf.
While the DNR does conduct searches in the Lower Peninsula, there have not been many signs of wolf presence since the population was reestablished in the 1980s, according to a DNR press release.
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The DNR was not made aware of the discovery until the hunter’s prize started circulating on Facebook, Brian Roell, a wildlife biologist and large carnivore specialist with the Michigan DNR, told Fox News Digital.
An 84-pound gray wolf (not pictured) was shot and killed in Michigan’s southern Lower Peninsula after the hunter confused it for a coyote, according to the Michigan DNR. (iStock)
The Facebook post revealed that a hunter had shot and killed a new world record coyote weighing 84 pounds. However, eastern coyotes typically weigh 25 to 40 pounds, the DNR’s press release said.
A local biologist reached out to Roell in late January and asked him to look at the photos that had been posted and after viewing those images, Roell immediately knew it was not a coyote, he said.
After further genetic testing, Roell’s hypothesis was proven correct, and the animal was identified as a gray wolf.
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Roell said there is no reason to believe that the hunter was hunting illegally. Still, the local law enforcement division is “looking into” the incident, Roell explained.
The hunter, according to the DNR, had reported that he harvested the large animal amid a legal coyote hunt.
This presence of a gray wolf in this region was a shock to the Michigan DNR and is currently under investigation. The wolf that was harvested is not pictured in this photo. (iStock)
While it is unusual for a gray wolf to be found in the Calhoun County area, Roell does not feel that anyone should be concerned.
“It doesn’t really mean anything. Folks are kind of jumping the gun, [thinking] this represents a population or range expansion,” he said.
“Wolves and all large carnivores have this ability to move long distances, [but] there really isn’t any suitable habitat there, so I don’t expect that there are more,” Roell added.
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The DNR has already launched an investigation to find out how the wolf ended up in the southern Lower Peninsula.
Roell said the wolf population in Michigan mainly exists in the north, where there are 600 to 700 wolves accounted for. (iStock)
The DNR notes that there were some other occurrences in 2004, 2011, 2014 and 2015 in which wolf or wolf-like animals were documented.
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There is a stable population of wolves in the Upper Peninsula with 600 to 700 wolves accounted for, Roell said.
Both law enforcement and the DNR are working on investigating the hunt in hopes of learning how the wolf (not pictured) ended up so far south. (iStock)
Gray wolves are protected under the Endangered Species Act in 44 states, including Michigan, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services.
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When the Sweet 16 continues on Saturday during the 2026 Women’s NCAA Tournament, Michigan women’s basketball (27-6) will continue its climb to reach the Final Four for the first time.
The Wolverines, who earned the No. 2 seed in the Fort Worth 3 Region, are playing in the program’s third Sweet 16 under head coach Kim Barnes Arico.
“We committed to Michigan to do this, and we committed to Coach Arico to do it for her and for each other,” Michigan guard Olivia Olson said. “We’re accomplishing the goals we set out to, and we’re not done yet. So we’re going to keep having fun with it and keep preparing.”
Michigan will take on No. 3 Louisville Cardinals (29-7) at 12:30 p.m. ET Saturday at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.
“This is my first time going to the Sweet 16, all of our first times, so I think the feeling of, we’re still dancing, we’re still playing basketball, it’s a great feeling,” Louisville guard Taj Roberts said.
The winner from Saturday’s matchup will play in the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Tournament on Monday, March 30, for the right to advance to the Final Four.
What time is Michigan vs. Louisville?
- Date: Saturday, March 28
- Time: 12:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Dickies Arena (Fort Worth, Texas)
The Michigan Wolverines will play the Louisville Cardinals in the Sweet 16 round of the 2026 Women’s NCAA Tournament at 12:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 28, at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.
Michigan vs. Louisville: TV, streaming
The 2026 men’s NCAA Tournament is down to its Sweet 16 and we’ll have a Final Four by Sunday evening. For half of the college stars taking the court this weekend, it’s one final opportuniy to impress NBA teams with their play at full game speed when the lights are brightest as this year’s draft class comes into focus.
The 2026 NBA draft is expected to take place in late June. In USA TODAY’s latest mock draft, Michigan’s Morez Johnson Jr. is expected to go in the first round. Here’s how USA TODAY currently projects the big man’s draft night will play out.
Our draft order is based on ESPN’s projected records and factors in trades, including swaps and protections.
Morez Johnson Jr. 2026 NBA Draft prediction: Pick No. 25 overall, Los Angeles Lakers
Kalbrosky’s Analysis:
Morez Johnson Jr. is one of the best, most underrated two-way players in the NCAA. He is a crucial part of the Michigan identity this season and has thrived since transferring to the Wolverines from Illinois. Johnson’s shooting form at the free throw line looks good, and he scores well near the rim, especially when cutting to the basket. The former FIBA U-19 Team USA standout and All-Big Ten big man is a trustworthy defensive playmaker, too, and should find minutes at the next level.
See USA TODAY’s full mock draft here
Morez Johnson Jr. player profile
(all stats as of March 15)
- Position: Forward-Center
- Current Team: Michigan
- 13.1 points per game
- 7.2 rebounds per game
- 1.1 assists per game
- 62.8% field goal percentage
- 37.9% three-point field goal percentage
Los Angeles Lakers 2026 projected draft picks
A pedestrian was struck and died of her injuries early Friday on the Lodge Freeway in Detroit.
Emergency dispatchers started to get calls about 2:30 a.m. about someone who was walking along the Lodge, and then were notified that the person had been struck by a vehicle, the Michigan State Police reported.
When troopers arrived, they found multiple cars stopped along the freeway, and people standing around a woman who was severely injured.
Detroit EMS pronounced the woman dead at the scene, state police said. She has not yet been identified.
The driver who struck the woman did not stay at the scene.
“Troopers are currently using technology that is available in the area to identify the vehicle involved,” MSP F/Lt. Mike Shaw said.
The Lodge Freeway, also known as M-10, was closed at about 2:46 a.m. Friday between Chicago Boulevard / Hamilton Avenue and Clairmount Street for the investigation and emergency assistance, according to Michigan Department of Transportation reports. The Lodge was reported back open at 6:05 a.m.
Michigan Department of Transportation traffic reports are at the MI Drive site.
State police said their investigation is continuing. Those who witnessed the crash or have other information are asked to call the MSP Metro South Post at 734-287-5000 or Crime Stoppers of Michigan at 800-SPEAK-UP.
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