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Isle Royale hosts one of the longest-running predator-prey studies in the world, now in it’s 65th year. Researchers study moose and wolf populations in the winter.
During the seven week expedition to Isle Royale this last winter, researchers found a stabilized wolf population with a dynamic and somewhat unexpected social organization.
The wolf population is likely 31, with a West Pack, East Pack, and a small pack formed in the middle of the island. Both the East Pack and West Pack had three pups survive the winter, and more litters are expected this year.
The moose population declined dramatically but it wasn’t unprecedented, and they mainly succumbed to starvation due to a food shortage. The population declined by about 28% to a total of 967. Researchers typically find that 13% of the moose population is calves, but this year, it was only 2%.
It was discovered that starvation killed more moose than wolves did.
Find the full story on the Michigan Tech webpage
