Do wolves do a better job of parenting than people?

DNR conservation officers file weekly reports on their activity, and here are several highlights from the latest report: CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) observed two wolf puppies cross the road under the watchful eye of their mother. The mother crossed first and waited for the pups to cross before they went off into the woods. Not an hour later, the CO observed a small girl cross a busy highway while her mother was busy looking at her smart phone screen on the other side of the road. Luckily she crossed in a crosswalk and traffic saw her dart out into the highway. The mother looked up briefly when she heard the vehicles slowing down, but then went back to whatever was interesting her on the smart screen. Sometimes animals are smarter than we are. CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked fishing activity on inland lakes and Lake Superior. Enforcement action was taken for no trout stamp, no angling license in possession, and possession of an illegal steelhead. Officer Murray also responded to a call that came into the Lake County Sheriff's Office of a possible finding of human remains at a local campground. The officer quickly determined that they were animal remains much to the relief of the campers in the area. CO Mike Lee (Crosslake) received a complaint of a gray wolf attempting to take a leashed dog from a residence's yard. The owner needed to use a firearm to protect his dogs; the wolf ran off and was not located. CO Chris Tetrault (Isle) reports that the walleye bite has slowed on Mille Lacs Lake. Fewer walleye are being seen in live wells; however, more perch are being seen. The larger waves and cooler weather chased people off the lake and onto ATV's. CO Chad Thesing (Albany) worked anglers and boaters. Time was spent working invasive species enforcement at several area accesses. One access that was worked had 12 boats come into the access and 10 boats had either boat plugs in or weeds on trailer.