Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale - Annual Report 1988-1989 (Covering the thirty-first year of research)
Peterson RO. 1989. Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale - Annual Report 1988-1989 (Covering the thirty-first year of research). Isle Royale Natural History Association. Houghton, MI
Isle Royale wolves declined for the fifth consecutive year, reaching an all-time low of 11 animals in 1989. The decline, while not as great as expected, continues to result from inadequate reproduction. With the entire population at risk, more intensive studies were initiated during the past year. For the first time, Isle Royale wolves were handled, live-trapped, blood-sampled, and released wearing radio collars. Blood samples were used for disease and genetics testing. Blood antibodies revealed that some of the wolves had been exposed to two diseases, canine parvovirus (CPV) and Lyme disease. Genetics studies are very preliminary but early results are consistent with the idea that the entire population arose from a single colonizing female with no subsequent immigration of successful reproducers. The wolves examined were all closely related and loss of genetic variability may be substantial. The moose population was estimated at 1,397 (+-) 211 in 1989, suggesting that growth ceased during the past year. Malnutrition was prevelant among dead moose examined in 1989, probably because of heavy infestation by winter ticks coupled with above-average snow depth and scarce forage.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Peterson, Rolf
- Date of Issue
- 1989-03-31
- 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