2 of the 4 wolf packs have disappeared and the overall population has dropped from 24 to 19 wolves
The interactions of wolves and moose on Isle Royale National Park have been studied for decades. In recent years the wolves, due to their low genetic diversity, have exhibited malformed vertebra and other deformities related to genetic inbreeding but they have persisted on the island.
Wolf count down at Isle Royale, moose hold steady.
By JOHN FLESHER – The Chippewa Herald
Ken Cole
Ken Cole is a 5th generation Idahoan, an avid fly fisherman, wildlife enthusiast, and photographer. He is the interim Idaho Director for Western Watersheds Project. We do not accept unsolicited “guest” authors or advertising.
If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it!
Sad and sick at the same time. Is it time to throw in some new genetic material into the mix and see if there is improvement to the population over time. I would bet Peterson, Vucetich and Mech have talked about it over a beer more than once.
++Sad and sick at the same time. Is it time to throw in some new genetic material into the mix and see if there is improvement to the population over time.++
It that wildlife management or wildlife husbandry? Are we trying to breed new wolves when there are a number of people on this forum that feels nature should take care of it self. Some say that Isle Royale is a complete ecosystem so if we bring new genetic material into the mix are we destroying the ecosystem. If the present wolves die out because of genetics, that is nature. Then sometime in the future a new pack will swim over from the main land start all over.
Elk:
Wolves are pretty tough, but they can’t swim 40+ miles in 50 degree water. They got there via the ice bridge that no longer forms (do we want to discuss global climate change?).
Still, you might be surprised to find that I agree with you. I would let them go extinct on this tiny island.
It is hard to think that in less than 60 years wolves may be going extinct on this isolated island in Lake Superior. I agree with the previous comments as I am torn between introducing new gentetic material or letting the wolves die out. However the wolves could rebound , and we could be having this same discussion 50 years from now.