Department of Natural Resources officials today announced the department will conduct a survey in the Northern Lower Peninsula Feb. 11 through March 10 to detect the presence of gray wolves in this part of the state.

Wolves began naturally returning to Michigan's Upper Peninsula via Wisconsin and Canada in the early 1990s. Today, the U.P. is home to at least 520 wolves. Following the accidental killing of a wolf in Presque Isle County in 2004, the DNR confirmed at least two other gray wolves in the Northern Lower Peninsula in 2005.

DNR Wildlife Biologist Brian Mastenbrook said survey teams will be searching other areas where there have been one or more public observations. Public reports are very important in helping the DNR identify potential wolf locations.

During February and March, the DNR is asking the public to report any sightings of wolves or tracks they believe were made by wolves to the DNR Gaylord office at (989) 732-3541, ext. 5901.

"If the public finds anything related to wolves, we are encouraging them to preserve the physical evidence or take photographs, and then contact us as soon as possible," Mastenbrook said.