Isle Royale wolves continue recovery after nearly dying out, while park’s moose decline

By JOHN FLESHER
AP Environmental Writer

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — Grey wolves are thriving at Isle Royale National Park five years after they nearly died out. Authorities airlifted 19 mainland wolves to the Lake Superior park in 2018-19 to rebuild a population that had fallen to just two, mostly because of inbreeding. A report Wednesday by Michigan Technological University scientists says the population has reached 31. Wolves continue preying on moose, but moose are still overpopulated and struggling to find food. Some argue against human intervention in wilderness areas such as Isle Royale. But others say a good balance of wolves and moose are needed there to keep the forest healthy.