'We want to live with them': wolves airdropped into US to tackle moose problem

With the wolf population dwindling in a Michigan park, four were trapped in Ontario and transported by helicopter

Katharine Gammon

Wed 6 Mar 2019 11.00 GMT Last modified on Wed 6 Mar 2019 11.02 GMT

At a remote national park, four Canadians were recently airdropped into a dizzying new life in America.

They are expert moose hunters, accustomed to cold climates, and covered in fur.

A quartet of Canadian wolves was transported by helicopter from their home in Ontario to Isle Royale national park, covering an 894-square-mile island in the US Great Lakes, to deal with the burgeoning moose population. Scientists also hope to bolster a dwindling population of wolves that already exists on the island.

Historically, ice bridges have connected Isle Royale to the mainland for more than 50 days a year, allowing wolves ample time to migrate. But over the last two decades, these bridges have been far less common and consistent, in effect stranding the two last wolves at Isle Royale and preventing newcomers. The four new ones will join two others introduced in 2018. The National Park Service is planning to introduce 20 to 30 wolves to the park over the next five years.

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