Wolves Taking Down a Moose
This sequence of photos is making the rounds on message boards and email like crazy. Amazing photos of what looks like seven wolves chasing and eventually taking down a full grown moose. Eventually eating it alive. From what I can see this adult moose is healthy and giving good retreat. The wolves in the first two photos clearly show they are in good stride trying to catch up to the moose.
UPDATE: Thanks to “Quincy” for sending us a link to this resource. Here is a link to the full story on these photos. They were taken on 2/12/06 and the photos were taken by John Vucetich. Mr. Vucetich is a biologist who follows the wolf packs and records activity, etc. of Isle Royale. Isle Royale is an island of the Great Lakes, located in the northwest of Lake Superior. The island and the surrounding smaller islands and waters make up Isle Royale National Park and is part of the state of Michigan. These photos were taken from a Helicopter during ariel observations.
Looking further at this web site, Isle Royale wolves are the only predator of moose, and moose are nearly the only prey for wolves. (About 10% of a wolf’s diet is comprised of beaver and snowshoe hare.) Moreover, humans do not harvest wolves or moose. The wolves and moose of Isle Royale essentially represent a single-prey-single-predator system. Makes for a pretty interesting and unique place.
Click photos below for larger images. (Photo credit: www.isleroyalewolf.org)
73 comments February 15th, 2007
