Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale - Annual Report 2001-2002
Peterson RO and Vucetich JA. 2002. Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale - Annual Report 2001-2002. Annual Report. School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science, Michigan Technological University. Houghton, MI
During 2001-2002, the wolf population declined again on Isle Royale from 19 to 17 individuals, after dropping from 29 to 19 in the previous year. Pups were born in all three packs in 2001, but only two packs contained pups in winter 2002. Mortality during the past year (47%) was very high for the second consecutive year, possibly related to a shortage of old moose. Four wolves live-trapped and radio-collared in May 2001 were found to be disease-free and in good physical condition. Wolf pack territorial boundaries shifted as the Chippewa Harbor Pack took over East Pack area. Wolf pack density continued to be highest at the east end of the island. During the mild winter of 2001-2002, however, moose were more evenly distributed between the two ends of the island, possibly increasing potential for inter-pack strife at the east end. Moose population has been slowly inceasing. Calves made up 11% of the moose counted during the 2002 census (slightly above average), and moose population size increased to an estimated 1,100. Winter weather during the 2002 study was extremely mild, with less snowfall than in any of the previous 43 years. Continued increase of the moose population in the near future is anticipated, with annual variation related to weather patterns.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Peterson, Rolf; Vucetich, John
- Date of Issue
- 2002-03-31
- Publisher
- School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science, Michigan Technological University
- Units
- ISRO
- Keywords
- Aerial Survey, Ecology, Gray Wolf (Canis lupus), Isle Royale National Park, Mammals, Michigan, Monitoring, Moose (Alces alces), Population, Radio Collar