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Article: Decline in Moose Population Sparks Turf War Among Isle Royale Wolves
- Article from:
- The Washington Post
- Article date:
- April 30, 2006
- Author:
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Gnawing leisurely on the remains of a moose carcass, the wolf
pack's alpha male seemed unaware that mortal danger was coming ever
closer.
Suddenly the eight-member rival pack burst into view. The alpha
male scrambled to his feet, but too late. Howling and barking, the
enemy chased him down and mercilessly attacked, killing the hapless
victim within a couple of minutes.
It's not unusual for the gray wolves in Isle Royale National Park
to target one another, said John Vucetich, a Michigan Tech University
wildlife biologist who saw the carnage from an airplane in January.
But the rival pack's brazen invasion of another's territory was a
sign -- the wolves are hungry. The reason is a steady ...