Moose numbers down

[johnhens]

From an article on the IR wolves, moose numbers from this winter are 530 comapred to 650 from last winter.

[Backpacker534]

Ouch! Another big drop. We all realize this is just nature taking its course, but, as many of us mentioned in the thread regarding the "genetic" issue with the wolves, I would hate to see the moose and wolves completely disappear from the island. As the saying goes, there is a season for everything under the sun. We, as a nation are facing tough economic times and the wildlife on I.R. is facing tough times as well.

[Keweenaw]

Isle Royale is a dynamic ecosystem. There used to be woodland caribou, coyotes, and lynx. Beaver numbers used to be much higher. No doubt there will be other changes in the future. To me this is the difference between conservation and preservation; preservation usually is just not possible nor necessarily desirable. These things tend to sort themselves out.

Bob