Success stories from our world
Success Stories
Dan Stark '97
Wolf guy
Dan Stark ’97 holds a wolf pup during a 2009 field study in Superior National Forest in northeastern Minnesota. |
A Husky is guarding Minnesota's 3,000 wolves.
Dan Stark ’97 manages Minnesota’s gray wolf population, located primarily in the northern and east central areas of the state. His primary task is administering the state's Wolf Management Plan, which lays out monitoring, research and depredation-control responsibilities.
“Wolves are a fascinating and charismatic species that many people have a strong interest in,” said Stark. “One of my goals is to ensure the future for wolves in Minnesota through responsible wildlife conservation and management practices.”
Stark began working as a wolf management specialist for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources in August 2007.
In May 2009, the Legislature and Gov. Tim Pawlenty authorized $200,000 for two years of wolf research.
Stark made his name as a wildlife biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, where he was part of the award-winning team that re-introduced the Mexican gray wolf in New Mexico and Arizona.
“Unlike Minnesota where there have always been wolves, the Mexican gray wolf was completely extirpated from the wild,” said Stark. “Releasing captive-raised wolves into an area where people are not necessarily supportive of having wolves is definitely a challenge.”
Stark grew up in Sartell near former biology professor Al Grewe. He took Grewe’s mammals class at St. Cloud State and discovered wildlife management as a career possibility.
“I had several opportunities to work with wolves as an undergraduate, intern and volunteer in Minnesota and Arizona,” Stark said. “These opportunities gave me first-hand experience with wolf research and management and were invaluable for developing knowledge and skills.”
The most recent wolf survey, in 2003-04, shows individual wolves living as far south as eastern Morrison County, less than an hour’s drive from St. Cloud. The nearest wolf packs are at Camp Ripley and the border of the Morrison and Mille Lacs county line.
Stark, who holds a bachelor's degree in biology from St. Cloud State, believes wolves may still find a few new places in the state that will meet their biological needs. He predicts the wolf population will eventually stabilize and fluctuate as deer populations increase or decrease.
