Suppose that the wolves on Isle Royale die off because of disease or genetic defects from inbreeding.?

Question

Should we (A) intervene and import new wolves to help control the moose population or (B) let the moose population grow until it exceeds its carrying capacity and suffers another population crash? Explain your reasoning.

Answer 1

I would say B. If the area cannot support a large enough population of wolves to allow the wolves to survive an out brake of disease or a large enough population to prevent genetic defects from inbreeding, new wolves being brought in are going to have the same problems. There are other ways to control the moose population (limited hunting etc).