Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale - Annual Report 1987-1988 (Covering the thirtieth year of research)
Peterson RO. 1988. Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale - Annual Report 1987-1988 (Covering the thirtieth year of research). Isle Royale Natural History Association. Houghton, MI
In the 30th year of research focusing on population regulation in this isolated wolf-moose system, wolves declined for the fifth consecutive year, reaching the lowest level ever documented (12 animals). Variations in available food in winter have, in the past, adequately explained wolf population fluctuations. However, disease and/or limited gentic variability may be contributing to current declines in this isolated population. In order to evaluate these possibilities before further decline occurs, in 1988 several wolves will be live-trapped, blood-sampled for disease and genetics studies, and released wearing radio-collars with mortality sensors. The moose population continued its upward spiral (1,653 individuals), impeded little by wolf predation. This was the highest moose estimate ever obtained from aerial census of this population, and moose numbers are probably at least comparable to those of 20 years ago. There was an impressive increase in the number of snowshow hares in virtually all parts of the island.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Peterson, Rolf
- Date of Issue
- 1988-03-31
- Publisher
- Isle Royale Natural History Association
- Units
- ISRO
- Keywords
- Aerial Survey, Ecology, Gray Wolf (Canis lupus), Isle Royale National Park, Mammals, Michigan, Monitoring, Moose (Alces alces), Radio Collar