I have always been fascinated with the saga of the wolves and moose living on Isle Royale in Lake Superior, and have followed developments there with the corresponding population fluctuations. Twice, many years ago, I actually went there and camped for a week each time in the hope of some life milestone encounter. I went in the month of May both times, and there were no other humans on the island at that time except for a park ranger. No luck. While I saw lots of sign, picked up a huge moose antler, and hiked the whole island trail system, I did not see or hear a wolf. In fact, I do not remember seeing many if any moose either.

Because of this background, I was particularly interested in a recent article in International Wolf Magazine about a similar situation on Michipicoten Island, which is another and the third largest island in Lake Superior (71 square miles) behind Isle Royale and St. Ignace. However, this island is in Ontario, Canada instead of the United States. And, the wolf dynamic there involves caribou instead of moose. The Canadian government restarted a died out population of caribou there in 1981, and was successful with the number of animals approaching 700 in 2011.

In 2014, wolves showed up from mainland Canada across an ice bridge in winter. By 2015, the caribou numbers were cut in half. Just like on Isle Royale, there are ongoing studies of the situation, with wolf numbers now at around 20. There has been some fear expressed that, if another pack gets started, the caribou could be wiped out. If that occurred, it would of course be the end of the wolves too. While there is also a heavy population of beaver on the island, that would not do the wolves any good in winter when the beaver are under the ice. The latest from the Canadian government is a plan to move some of the caribou to Canada’s Slate Islands, which are apparently predator free, to help insure what it calls the “persistence” of Canadian coastal caribou.

On another subject, in Words From Walt #5, I reported on certain pending legislation in Wisconsin, which could have had a detrimental effect on the state’s wolves. I am happy now to relate that it appears this ill founded potential measure died in the state legislature, and its supporters seem to be backing off. Thanks again to dedicated people like Adrian Wydeven , who attended hearings on this bill and has stayed on top of this for the wolf supporting community.

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