The Wildlife News

inbreeding

  • Should the declining inbred wolves of Isle Royale N.P. be augmented?

    Ralph Maughan

    Should there be genetic rescue (outside wolves brought in)- For many years the wolves and moose of Isle Royale National Park in Lake Superior have shown that wolves do not wipe out their prey. When wolves become abundant enough that the disappearance of prey seems probable, the wolves die back. On the other hand, when…

  • Bad year for Florida Panther deaths

    Ralph Maughan

    2012 was a record year for Florida panther deaths- Twenty-six of the rare Florida panther were killed this year, a record, though one that should be set in perspective — the state’s population is 100-160 today compared to only 20-25 back in 1995 when eight female Texas pumas were imported to bolster the population of  native…

  • Controversial wolf hunt over, Sweden now wants to import wolves

    Ralph Maughan

    Purpose of import is not due to excessive wolf mortality during the hunt. It is lack of genetic diversity- Sweden wants to import 20 genetically diverse wolves over the next five years.  Although the Swedish Parliament wants to limit the wolf population to about 200 wolves, and so had their first wolf hunt this year,…

  • Inbreeding taking toll on the wolves of Isle Royale

    Ralph Maughan

    Crippling effects of inbreeding show the problem with natural wolf recovery based on a few wolves- A fair number of people think that wolf restoration should be “natural,” — based solely in the in-migration of 2 to a dozen or so wolves, but there is not enough genetic variety in a small number for such…

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‎”At some point we must draw a line across the ground of our home and our being, drive a spear into the land and say to the bulldozers, earthmovers, government and corporations, “thus far and no further.” If we do not, we shall later feel, instead of pride, the regret of Thoreau, that good but overly-bookish man, who wrote, near the end of his life, “If I repent of anything it is likely to be my good behaviour.”

Edward Abbey

“The continued existence of wildlife and wilderness is important to the quality of life of humans.”

Jim Fowler

“Our forests offer much more than just beautiful landscapes and wildlife. Each one has a different story to tell.”

Raveena Tandon

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