The translocated wolves apparently scavenged more in Michigan than in
Minnesota, at least shortly after their release. There were no known
garbage dumps within their native territory. The dumps in Michigan
presumably offered more readily available food during a time when the
wolves appeared preoccupied with extensive travel.
Nevertheless, the wolves did kill at least the three deer that we found,
and no doubt took several others. Although the sample size is small, the
results of our analysis of the condition of the deer are consistent with
those from other studies, indicating that wolves prey primarily on
debilitated deer (Pimlott et al. 1969, Mech and Frenzel 1971).
All three deer killed by the wolves were seriously malnourished, with 6%
or less fat content in the marrow of their femurs, or thigh bones. At
less than 25% fat in the marrow, serious malnutrition has developed
(Cheatum 1949). (In comparison, the femur fat of 59 doe deer killed by
automobiles in the Upper Peninsula in March and April 1974 averaged 46%,
according to Dr. L. D. Fay, Michigan Department of Natural Resources.)
In addition, one of the animals killed by the wolves had been wounded by
a bullet and had a broken leg; all three were does, and were over 4
years of age, a factor that Pimlott et al. (1969) and Mech and Frenzel
(1971) have also found important in wolf kills.