The Wolves and Moose of Isle Royale An Ecological Study.

The Wolves and Moose The Wolves and Moose of Isle Royaleof Isle RoyaleAn Ecological StudyAn Ecological Study

Isle RoyaleIsle Royale

MooseMoose

WolvesWolves

Ecological ResearchEcological Research

ildernessildernessWWState of MichiganState of Michigan

9 Miles9 Miles

45 Miles45 Miles210 Square Miles210 Square Miles

14 Miles14 Miles

Why here?Why here?

Mainland Total Moose =Mainland Total Moose =Living Moose+Moose Born-Moose Living Moose+Moose Born-Moose Killed by Wolves-Moose Killed by Killed by Wolves-Moose Killed by

Mountain Lions-Moose Hit by Cars-Mountain Lions-Moose Hit by Cars-Moose Hunted by Humans-Moose Moose Hunted by Humans-Moose

Going Somewhere Else???Going Somewhere Else???

Isle Royale Total Moose =Isle Royale Total Moose =

Living Moose+Births-Deaths (Wolf Predation Living Moose+Births-Deaths (Wolf Predation and Starvationand Starvation

What does it mean to be What does it mean to be a moose?a moose?

What does it mean to be What does it mean to be a moose in the spring?a moose in the spring?

What does it mean to be What does it mean to be a moose in the a moose in the summer?summer?

What does it mean to be What does it mean to be a moose in the a moose in the summer?summer?

What does it mean to be What does it mean to be a moose in the fall?a moose in the fall?

What does it mean to be What does it mean to be a moose in the winter?a moose in the winter?

How many of you had cereal this morning?How many of you had cereal this morning?

What does it mean to be What does it mean to be a wolf?a wolf?

Chippewa Harbor Chippewa Harbor PackPack

East PackEast Pack

Paduka PackPaduka Pack

Middle PackMiddle Pack

Winter 2008-09Winter 2008-09

Inbreeding?Inbreeding?

Summer ResearchSummer Research

Winter ResearchWinter Research

What do we know after What do we know after 50 years of research?50 years of research?

““The more you know, the less sure you are,” The more you know, the less sure you are,” Voltaire.Voltaire.

What do we know after What do we know after 50 years of research?50 years of research?

Our land management is based on our Our land management is based on our understanding of nature and our ability to understanding of nature and our ability to predict the future.predict the future.

What do we know after What do we know after 50 years of research?50 years of research?

Isle Royale has shown us that:Isle Royale has shown us that:

Predictions mean little.Predictions mean little.

Random events mean a lot.Random events mean a lot.

We still have a lot to learn.We still have a lot to learn.

Thank you!Thank you!

Questions...Questions...