Wolf Problem Limits Camping

Wolves are stealing shoes and pots and pans from visitors at Denali National Park, prompting the closing of one campground and a ban on tent camping in another.

Although the wolves have not attacked anyone, they have become bold, sometimes coming within feet of humans. And National Park Service officials said they do not want to take any chances.

“The wolves are not being shy and that’s a concern to us,” said Gordon Orson, chief of research and resource preservation. “These are wild animals.”

Campers have reported about a dozen instances of wolves stealing people’s belongings at the Igloo Creek campground, which was closed two weeks ago. This week, tent camping was banned at the Teklanika River campground.

Both campgrounds could be reopened later this summer.

For decades, park officials have kept humans and bears at a safe distance from each other, sometimes closing campgrounds when the animals come too close or get into garbage.

But this is the first time park managers can remember closing a campground because of the wolves.