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Island Wolves Thrive, Moose Numbers Plummet
28 Apr
Summary
- Wolf population estimated at 37, highest since late 1970s.
- Moose population dramatically declined to 524, a 75% drop.
- No moose calves observed during the winter survey for the first time.
Researchers estimate the wolf population on Isle Royale National Park to be 37 animals, the highest count since the late 1970s. This marks a significant recovery from a decade ago when only two wolves remained on the island, likely due to past inbreeding issues.
However, the thriving wolf packs are drastically reducing the moose population. The current estimate stands at 524 moose, a steep 75% decrease from the 2,000 recorded in 2019. Scientists believe wolves are responsible for nearly a quarter of these deaths over the past year.
A particularly concerning finding from the winter survey was the observation of no moose calves. This is the first time in approximately 70 years that this has occurred, raising alarms about the future sustainability of the moose population on the remote island.
Despite challenges like extreme weather and logistical issues that have previously disrupted surveys, this year's research yielded exceptionally clear observations. Scientists are planning summer research to further understand ecosystem balance and the long-term impact of the burgeoning wolf population.
