Isle Royale, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Michigan Technological University’s 65th annual Isle Royale Winter Study revealed that the wolf population on the island decreased slightly, but is stable.

While the research trip was truncated due to “unseasonably warm weather,” researchers’ survey found 30 wolves and 840 moose present on the island, and concentrated on the east end of the national park.

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The world’s longest running predator-prey study has been conducted every year since 1958, except in 2021 when it was canceled due to COVID-19.

Short season and survey results.

This year’s study took place from Jan. 19 to 31, and was cut short due to deteriorating lake ice conditions, which would affect the ski plane’s landing area.

“We were really disappointed. But obviously, the safety of all our crew is our top priority and we are all very used to having to change and adapt our fieldwork plans based on weather conditions,” said predator-prey interactions specialist and researcher, Sarah Hoy, in a statement.

Dr. Rolf O. Peterson, professor at MTU and researcher, reflected on how despite the shortest winter study on record, it had “exceptional results.”

“Despite the very short survey period and lack of ice and snow, we were able to complete one of the best moose surveys I’ve seen in the past half century,” he said.

“The overcast skies and calm winds were exactly what we needed for flying and seeing moose on our census plots, and 10 inches of fresh fluffy snow came right before our arrival, providing a perfect backdrop for spotting moose,” Peterson added.

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Despite the short recording season, the team estimated 30 wolves to be on the island, down one from 2022-23, but up from 2021-22 when there were only 28 wolves present. The increasing number of the wolves has been drastic since a decade ago there were only two wolves capable of reproducing on the island according to researchers.

Food Supply appears to be strong enough to support the highest number of wolf packs.

The research team found four distinct wolf packs on the island, the first time this has occurred in more than a decade according to the team.

“That the wolf population consists of four packs is really noteworthy — a strong sign that the wolves have plenty of food,” said John Vucetich, co-leader of the Isle Royale wolf-moose project.

The team indicated that more than 50% of the wolves observed on the island were on the east end, however, the team found evidence of four territorial packs including a West Pack, a Middle Pack, an East Pack, and a Northwest Pack.

As the number of wolves has increased, the predator has resumed its role as the leading cause of death for the moose, while for years the leading cause was malnutrition.

“For the first time in many years, wolf predation is once again the main cause of mortality for adult moose,” said Hoy.

Research team anticipates summer study and next winter study.

MTU Professor Vucetich added that the team hopes to continue adding insights in the next couple months, and weighed in on the recent findings.

“The western part of Isle Royale has fewer wolves and fewer moose — both kept low by the deeply impacted vegetation.” said Vucetich in a statement. “But the eastern part of Isle Royale is a different story, where the vegetation, moose and wolves are all more abundant.”

He also underscored the team’s interest in whether the wolves will limit the moose population in the east, or if it will increase due to vegetation.

“As always, we look forward to what comes next,” said Vucetich in a statement.