After Lake Superior's Isle Royale National Park Service officials noticed a dwindling wolf population on the island, they started an environmental review process in 2014 to determine what actions to take to deal with the problem. Fast forward to 2016, and there are just two wolves left, presenting little hope for a natural population rebound and leading the officials to shift the focus of the study onto the issue of whether to transport new wolves to the island.
The original focus of the study was to look at the broad environmental, climate and social issues related to the declining wolf population, as well as the philosophical and legal definitions of wilderness and the extent to which humans should intervene in the island's ecosystems, even with good intentions.
"At this time, natural recovery of the population is unlikely," the park service said. "The potential absence of wolves raises concerns about possible effects to Isle Royale's current ecosystem, including effects to both the moose population and Isle Royale's forest/vegetation communities."
The announcement of this slower, broader process, which was panned to take place over years, drew criticism from some scientists that believed immediate action in the form of introducing new wolves from other areas was needed to rescue the island's wolf population. This previously ignored sentiment now seems to be the focus of the park service.
Over the years, wolf numbers have gone up and down, but during the course of the last five years they have dropped significantly, with 24 wolves in 2009, eight in 2013 and just three in 2015. Following the annual winter survey, it was confirmed that only two remain as of Wednesday.
"At this time, natural recovery of the population is unlikely," said Liz Valencia, the park's chief of interpretation and cultural resources. "The potential absence of wolves raises concerns about possible effects to Isle Royale's current ecosystem, including effects to both the moose population and Isle Royale's forest/vegetation communities."
There is currently debate over whether the remaining two wolves should be allowed to die before beginning the effort in order to get rid of genetic defaults on the island or let the remaining wolves live in order to retain original bloodlines.
"Genetic rescue has always been troublesome because of that," said Phyllis Green, the park's superintendent. "You just keep passing on the problems. The opinions on this [wolf issue] are all over the board."
