Wildlife Management - Native Species

Wildlife management at Isle Royale National Park is influenced by the balance of various animal populations and their interactions. Since the late 1940s, the gray wolf has been shaping the island's ecosystem, primarily by hunting large prey such as moose. Moose graze large swaths of willows that are replaced largely by forest, altering the hydrology of the landscape.

The wolf population has experienced significant fluctuations, dropping from 50 in the 1980s to as low as 2 in 2018, influenced by factors like moose availability, disease, and genetic inbreeding. Similarly, the moose population on Isle Royale has faced its own challenges and has exceeded 2,000 individuals, prompting some Michigan lawmakers to advocate for a lottery hunt as a means of population control. However, implementing such a hunt poses logistical challenges, particularly given the island's wilderness designation and the impracticality of transporting large moose carcasses through rugged terrain.

In response to the declining wolf population and the subsequent imbalance in the ecosystem, the National Park Service began reintroducing wolves to Isle Royale in 2019. This initiative involves bringing in 30 new wolves over a five-year period, with the aim of restoring ecological equilibrium. The effort, supported by organizations like the National Parks Conservation Association, has shown promising results, with 14 wolves now estimated to inhabit the island (and more wolf pups seen on camera), up from just two when the restoration plan began. Research conducted on the island has provided insights into the behavior and interactions of the reintroduced wolves, indicating signs of successful adaptation to their new environment. These findings underscore the importance of ongoing monitoring and research efforts to ensure the long-term success of wildlife management initiatives at Isle Royale National Park.