Article on IR Wolf Population in danger

Questions regarding the Flora and Fauna on the island.

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Tom
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Article on IR Wolf Population in danger

Post by Tom »

http://www.startribune.com/local/118878909.html

There is a concern that there are only a couple females left on the Island. Also an interesting tidbit about evidence of a male wolf that arrived from Canada in the 90s. Although 'hard to watch' in some ways, also very fascinating to watch nature in action.
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Re: Article on IR Wolf Population in danger

Post by Tampico »

I support introducing wolves from the mainland.

I hope that's what they decide to do.
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Re: Article on IR Wolf Population in danger

Post by johnhens »

Once again the wolf-moose dynamic will be interesting to watch. Thanks Tom.
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Re: Article on IR Wolf Population in danger

Post by DP89 »

I have emailed Isle Royale about the wolf decline and they are pretty firmly put about letting nature take its course.

However I support putting some wolves from the mainland (preferably Canada). It will take some diligent research to determine the ecosystem impact of newly stocked wolves. The wolf population needs new genes, since all the inbreeding is causing spine problems.

I suggest if you guys want something done, go to the NPS website and you can send them a message on IR's page. They were pretty quick to respond.
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Re: Article on IR Wolf Population in danger

Post by Tampico »

I would prefer Minnesota wolves...they're nicer. :wink:
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Re: Article on IR Wolf Population in danger

Post by Tom »

I guess personally, from a scientific perspective, I would be interested to see how this 'naturally' plays out. A great deal of information could be gleaned regarding how a spartan population ultimately meets it's demise.
Should, through circumstances, the entire wolf population naturally disappear, then I would be in favor of reintroducing wolves (perhaps after a couple years of letting the moose population rebound) from the mainland. It WOULD be interesting to see if wolves from the mainland, perhaps more habituated by people, would interact differently with humans on the Isle. All very fascinating, though!
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Re: Article on IR Wolf Population in danger

Post by johnhens »

I think that an important part of the study would be to follow it as it happens ie no reintroduction of new wolves. The fact that a wolf came over on its in own is testament that the NPS should let happen what will happen.
I also beleive that letting nature take its course would remove the genetic defect (the backbone issue) resolve itself.
I do beleive that moos and wolf are an important part of Isle Royale, at least for me.
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Re: Article on IR Wolf Population in danger

Post by DP89 »

This is the exact email the NPS sent me about Isle Royale:

"As you may know our policy of letting nature take its course has been
long-standing. The policy was reviewed in the mid 90's when the wolf
population was rapidly declining and reached an all-time low. During this
time a meeting was held by park officials and researchers from around the
country to discuss intervention, the final decision was to let nature takes
its course and this policy stands firm today.

The study today stands as the longest continually running research study on
a major predator in the world. Our policies would not allow us to
intervene - our policies are to let nature take its course. As it stands
today, the Alpha wolf's position is not a permanent one - once and Alpha
male or female becomes weakened they will be challenged by another pack
member - depending on the outcome the challenger may or may not take over
the Alpha position in the pack. If the challenger is successful they
become the Alpha male or female - the breeders in the pack - their genetic
make-up is then passed on to the next generation."
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