Lowest wolf count on Isle Royale
by Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!
March 27, 2013
The most recent annual report of ecological studies of wolves on Isle Royale reveals that there are only eight wolves left in this unique population.
Here's the report summary:
"From mid-January to late February 2013, we conducted the fifty-fifth annual Winter Study of wolves and moose on Isle Royale. Between January 2012 and January 2013, the wolf population declined from 9 to 8, the lowest number of wolves ever observed in the population. During the past year, mortality rates were low (11%), with just one wolf dying. There was no evidence of any reproduction during the past year. This is the first year in the project’s history that we have been unable to document reproduction. Analysis of DNA extracted from wolf scat collected in January and February 2012, and the pattern of mortality during the past year, indicate that the population is comprised of between three and five females. The lack of reproduction is not due to a shortage of females."
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