Sudden wolf population collapse solved: Mine pit accident

Tom · Post by **Tom** » Thu Jun 14, 2012 8:08 pm

I know, it sounds like an April 1 headline, but apparently it's true. They've found the bodies of three wolves in a mine pit on Isle Royale.
http://www.startribune.com/local/blogs/159109945.html

Post by **Ingo** » Thu Jun 14, 2012 8:48 pm

This reads about the same, but has just a little more detail.
http://www.mtu.edu/news/stories/2012/ju ... 70266.html

Post by **fonixmunkee** » Fri Jun 15, 2012 12:04 pm

I just read about this this morning in the local paper. This is incredible, and sad. Anyone have any additional details? What mine? And how could this happen to what seem to be graceful/cautious creatures?

Tom · Post by **Tom** » Sat Jun 16, 2012 7:24 am

According to the article Ingo posted, it was one of the mines over by Todd Harbor. Which one, of course, I'm guessing Rolf or the NPS would need to share.
It's wild conjecture on my part, but I would suppose that in a good 'ol snowstorm, some of those smaller shaft openings could be covered up with a snowbridge, or at least partially covered.
For certain, wolves aren't lemmings, and if the first wolf fell in, the other two wouldn't follow unless it was a catastrophic event that caused it.

Post by **johnhens** » Sun Jun 17, 2012 5:31 am

Thanks to both for the articles.
Too bad this happened, but at least they know.
I hope we will be hearing of news pups.

Backpacker534 · Post by **Backpacker534** » Sat Jul 07, 2012 8:34 am

What a sad story, especially at such a critical time in the wolves history.

Tampico · Post by **Tampico** » Mon Jul 16, 2012 10:45 pm

They need to stop giving the wolves names. I enjoyed reading about Romeo and I was saddened to learn of his death. It might have been easier if he had been known as W13 or some such...

Rafiki · Post by **Rafiki** » Mon Jul 16, 2012 11:13 pm

Ha Ha Ha

Richard1961 · Post by **Richard1961** » Mon Jul 16, 2012 11:43 pm

This reminds me of the tv show Merrcatt manor. As long as they were just brown fuzzy animals they were funny. But after watching the same ones over a couple seasons it was sad when she died. And it was worse watching her group fall apart after her death.

I hope that the wolfs on ISRO have a chance to turn it around or if needed that the park service choises to introduce another couple of breeding age females. I would hate to have to see (and smell) the die-off that would happen after the expanded moose herd ate every living plant within reach. Richard

Rafiki · Post by **Rafiki** » Tue Jul 17, 2012 12:14 am

Very good comparison Richard. I used to watch Meerkat Manor occassional. The names and the way they develop each Meerkat makes you feel somewhat connected to some over others. Then once you get connected to one, before you know it, he or she is outkasted, breaks a leg, or gets killed in some vicious battle. It never fails

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Sudden wolf population collapse solved: Mine pit accident

Sudden wolf population collapse solved: Mine pit accident

Re: Sudden wolf population collapse solved: Mine pit acciden

Re: Sudden wolf population collapse solved: Mine pit acciden

Re: Sudden wolf population collapse solved: Mine pit acciden

Re: Sudden wolf population collapse solved: Mine pit acciden

Re: Sudden wolf population collapse solved: Mine pit acciden

Re: Sudden wolf population collapse solved: Mine pit acciden

Re: Sudden wolf population collapse solved: Mine pit acciden

Re: Sudden wolf population collapse solved: Mine pit acciden

Re: Sudden wolf population collapse solved: Mine pit acciden