National Park Service Grant: Wolf and Moose Population Monitoring at Isle Royale National Park

Michigan Technological University has been successfully leading the wolf/moose research on Isle Royale for over 35 years of the study’s 50 plus year history. Their study has included the long-term monitoring program which surveys wolf and moose populations (abundance, ingress or egress, pack structure, genetics), rates of predation, examines the moose population for general health and malnutrition, assesses wolf population vitality and health, and investigates other aspects of wolf/moose ecology. Michigan Tech has a mature volunteer program necessary to support this program, 35 plus years of technical expertise as well as mainland and island research facilities and support dedicated to this program.

A. Monitoring and censusing the wolf population on the island.
B. Monitoring and censusing the moose population (the primary prey base for the wolves) on the island.
C. Determining the rate of predation of wolves on moose as a key indicator of the health and viability of the wolf population.

Isle Royale National Park contains one of the few insular populations of Eastern Timber Wolves in the United States. Because of its insular characteristics, the park is an exceptional area in which to study predator/prey relationships. It is, in fact, the only site in the United States and probably the world where a definitive wolf and moose population exists in the absence of human exploitation. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service “Recovery Plan for the Eastern Timber Wolf” (1992) states an objective for the Isle Royale population is to “Continue management to perpetuate natural conditions for the eastern timber wolf on Isle Royale…”, with a sub-objective to “Continue research on wolf ecology.” (p. 35). Results of this project will be used in park interpretive efforts to communicate to the public (1) the current status of Isle Royale’s wolf and moose populations and (2) an understanding of critical natural resource issues.