Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale - Annual Report 1997-1998
Peterson RO. 1998. Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale - Annual Report 1997-1998. School of Forestry and Wood Products, Michigan Technological University. Houghton, MI
After several years of steady population increase, the wolf population unexpectedly declined from 24 to 14 individuals. Acute food shortage due to the moose die off in 1996 is likely a cause of the wolf decline. The wolf population contained three territorial packs plus one nonterritorial pair. Most of the moose population on Isle Royale now lives within the territory of one wolf pack. Moose kill rates this past winter were relatively low; wolves killed primarily the moose calves. The wolves took advantage of the warm winter conditions to hunt beaver. The moose population increased to 700 animals. The remains of moose that died in the severe winter of 1996 have been examined and results are reported. This annual report also reports on other wildlife species, including a study of deer mice and observations of red fox, bald eagles, osprey, and pine marten.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Peterson, Rolf
- Date of Issue
- 1998-03-31
- Publisher
- School of Forestry and Wood Products, Michigan Technological University
- Units
- ISRO
- Keywords
- Aerial Survey, Ecology, Gray Wolf (Canis lupus), Isle Royale National Park, Mammals, Michigan, Monitoring, Moose (Alces alces), Radio Collar, woodland deer mouse