Wolves thriving on Isle Royale, moose numbers down significantly

HOUGHTON, MI— Isle Royale’s wolf-moose population dance is currently swinging toward the wolves.

That’s according to Michigan Technological University’s 64^th Isle Royale Winter Study, led by researchers Sarah Hoy, John Vucetich, and Rolf Peterson.

Scientists visited the island from January 20^th to March 3^rd. They say the wolf population is thriving with 31 animals. Three to four litters were born last spring and more are expected this year.

By contrast, the number of moose on the island dropped by 379 from the last count to 967 animals. That represents a 54-percent decline in the population since 2019. Wolf predation was a factor, but researchers say starvation killed more moose than the wolves did.