Wolf & Moose Populations

Predator and Prey

Moose head closeup with Antlers Moose head closeup with Antlers

Left image
Credit: NPS

Right image
Credit: NPS

 

Wolf & Moose Populations 1980 to Today

The populations of wolves and moose on Isle Royale constantly adjust as food availability, weather, and seasons affect the health and reproduction of the animals. Over time, notice as the wolf population declines, the moose population increases and vice versa. In the past forty years, Isle Royale has experienced several of these cyclical population relationships.

With the wolf population declines in 2011 and 2014, the wolf population reached unsustainable levels, and the National Park Service is now in the process of reintroducing 20 to 30 wolves.

 
Wolf and Moose Populations from 1980 through 2026
Year Number of Moose Number of Wolves

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Wolf & Moose Populations 1980 to Today Graph

 
Graph of Moose and Wolf Populations on Isle Royale from 1980 to 2026.

NPS

 
Multiple sailboats are docked around a large, wooden dock.

Things to Do

Explore all the land and water activities the park offers.

Bull Moose walking down a trail.

Moose

Moose are the largest mammal on Isle Royale.

Wolf on the prowl through a snowy forest

Wolves

Wolves have been the apex predator on Isle Royale since 1948.

A pile of moose bones lay in dirt.

Predator-Prey Relationships

Wolves, moose, and beavers play important roles in Isle Royale's ecosystem.

A gray wolf sits in a crate while being relocated to Isle Royale.

Why Relocate Wolves?

Wolves have been a part of the island's wilderness for decades, so why relocate?

A wolf in a crate with the door open to be relocated to Isle Royale National Park.

Wolf Relocation

Nineteen wolves were relocated to Isle Royale from the Great Lakes Region.

Last updated: September 18, 2026

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800 East Lakeshore Drive
Houghton, MI 49931

Phone:

906 482-0984

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