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Sudden wolf population collapse solved: Mine pit accident
Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2012 8:08 pm
by Tom
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
Re: Sudden wolf population collapse solved: Mine pit acciden
Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2012 8:48 pm
by Ingo
This reads about the same, but has just a little more detail.
http://www.mtu.edu/news/stories/2012/ju ... 70266.html
Re: Sudden wolf population collapse solved: Mine pit acciden
Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2012 12:04 pm
by fonixmunkee
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?
Re: Sudden wolf population collapse solved: Mine pit acciden
Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2012 7:24 am
by Tom
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.
Re: Sudden wolf population collapse solved: Mine pit acciden
Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2012 5:31 am
by johnhens
Thanks to both for the articles.
Too bad this happened, but at least they know.
I hope we will be hearing of news pups.
Re: Sudden wolf population collapse solved: Mine pit acciden
Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2012 8:34 am
by Backpacker534
What a sad story, especially at such a critical time in the wolves history.
Re: Sudden wolf population collapse solved: Mine pit acciden
Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2012 10:45 pm
by Tampico
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...
Re: Sudden wolf population collapse solved: Mine pit acciden
Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2012 11:13 pm
by Rafiki
Ha Ha Ha
Re: Sudden wolf population collapse solved: Mine pit acciden
Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2012 11:43 pm
by Richard1961
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
Re: Sudden wolf population collapse solved: Mine pit acciden
Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2012 12:14 am
by Rafiki
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
