Should Isle Royale’s Wolves Get a Gene Boost?
Do Isle Royale’s wolves need genetic rescuing? Is it
appropriate? These questions are being asked and debated now because
researchers with the 50-year-old wolf/moose study discovered that the
wolves are suffering from malformed backbones caused by inbreeding.
Concerns about the future of Isle Royale’s isolated wolf
population have spurred discussion of possible human intervention. If
it were done, human intervention would mean delivering unrelated wolves
to Isle Royale National Park to allow their genes to be mixed into the
gene pool of the current population. But there are many ethical
questions. For example, would a genetic rescue change, or maintain, the
balance between wolves and moose? If intervention can prevent or reduce
the wolves’ suffering, does that make it right?
Anyone can offer comments or read what others are saying
online at www.wolfmoose.mtu.edu/comments. To learn more about the
wolf/moose study, go to www.isleroyalewolf.org.
History Notes
 May
5, 1904: Crisp Point Lighthouse is activated; it’s one of four built
between Whitefish Point and Grand Marais, Michigan. Source Crisp Point
Historical Society
July
4, 1876: Ice is finally out of Lake Superior, and Duluthians use ice
blown onshore to make ice cream. Source: Minnesota Historical Society
July 13, 1971: Pukaskwa National Park is established on Lake Superior. Source: Today in Canadian History
July 10, 1897: The temperature in Ashland hits 115° Fahrenheit. Source: Wisconsin Historical Society
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